Chapter 116
116
THE conference room gleamed with understated luxury. The Satin & Sage team had ensured everything was arranged to perfection, polished oak table, fresh orchids in slim vases, neatly stacked files, and the soft hum of the air conditioning. Amelia walked in with her chin high, every inch the poised professional, though her heart thundered in her chest. She had been preparing herself for this moment all night, convincing herself that it was just business, nothing more.
But the second Adrian stepped through the door, tall and commanding in a navy tailored suit, she felt that composure threaten to crumble. His presence was magnetic, drawing eyes effortlessly, and when his gaze found hers, holding just a beat longer than necessary, something shifted in the air.
“Good morning,” Adrian greeted, his voice low and smooth, carrying a kind of authority that made even Peter straighten. He moved closer, setting his leather folder on the table,
“I trust everyone is well p>
“Yes,” Amelia replied, her tone clipped, betraying nothing of the inner chaos stirring. “Let’s begin. We have quite a lot to cover today p>
They sat opposite each other, and though documents, charts, and presentations separated them, the sparks that crackled beneath the surface were undeniable. Amelia tried to focus on the slides, on the numbers, on the way Satin & Sage’s influence could merge seamlessly with Cole Holdings’ reach. But she kept noticing the way Adrian watched her, measured, intense, as though he was listening to her words but also to the unspoken emotions beneath them.
Before the meeting kicked off, Adrian quickly looked around and cleared the lump of cough in his throat, getting attention from Amelia.
‘Someone seems to be missing,” he said sarcastically and Amelia stiffened.
“He is out for a business proposal, Rex would join us soon,” she said shortly.
Well, the meeting kicked off. Peter clicked through the slides, explaining’synergies, timelines, and budgets. Adrian leaned forward occasionally, asking sharp, intelligent questions that always impressed Amelia, though she would never admit it out loud. She responded with equal brilliance, her voice firm, her mind sharp, and their back -and-forth drew the attention of everyone in the room. It was as if they were in a world of their own, locked in a battle of wits wrapped in mutual respect and something more dangerous, something like undeniable chemistry.
At one point, Amelia pointed at a line graph with her pen, her sleeve slipping just enough for Adrian to catch the delicate curve of her wrist. His jaw tightened, but he quickly masked it with a thoughtful nod.
“Your projections are ambitious,” he said. “But ambition is exactly what this collaboration needs p>
Her lips curved faintly, almost against her will.
“And restraint is what keeps ambition from being reckless. That is where I come in p>
For a beat, they stared at each other, words charged with meanings that went far beyond business. The tension in the room was palpable, and Peter cleared his throat softly, redirecting attention back to the presentation.
But the drama unfolded when the door suddenly burst open.
A woman swept into the room, dressed in a figure-hugging dress far too bold for a business setting. Her heels clicked against the polished floor as she strode forward, ignoring the startled looks from Amelia’s team.
“Adrian,” she purred, her voice dripping with familiarity. “I have been trying to reach you for weeks. Your phone, “Adrian,” she purred, her volce dripping with familiarity. I have be
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your assistant, everything, so I thought, why not come directly?” 1
The entire room froze. Amelia’s eyes darted to Adrian, her chest tightening with a mix of anger and hurt… hold on, hurt? She wasn’t sure of that. But she was angry.
Adrian, however, didn’t so much as flinch. He rose slowly, his expression hard and cold.
“This is a professional meeting. You will leave. Now p>
The woman laughed softly, a sound that grated against Amelia’s nerves.
“Oh, come on, don’t be so dramatic. We had fun, remember? Surely you can make a little time p>
“What are you even doing here?” He cut in rudely. “How did you find… Peter?” He called, his eyes shut as he fisted his hands, controlling the storm brewing within him.
“Sir p>
He opened his eyes.
“Get this lady away. Now!” He ordered, his voice cut like steel, echoing across the room. Everyone, even Amelia, was startled by the sheer force of it
A hush followed. The woman’s smirk faltered under his unwavering stare. She muttered something under her breath and turned sharply on her heel, without even letting Peter touch her slamming the door behind her as she exited.
“Who even let her in?” Peter rhetorically asked quietly.
Silence reigned for a long, heavy moment. Then Adrian straightened his suit jacket and looked back at Amelia as though nothing had happened.
“Apologies for the interruption. Shall we continue p>
But Amelia wasn’t so easily swayed. She studied him carefully, remembering the Adrian she once knew, the one who thrived with secrets and shadows. Had he really changed? But then, she paused. What if he was pretending? Or what if he had this all planned out? Of course it was possible, he could set out the drama.
She forced herself to shake off that thought. As far as she was concerned, Adrian hadn’t changed. Cheaters don’t change.
And so the team resumed discussions, but the atmosphere was irrevocably charged. Whispers passed between Amelia’s staff, Peter kept sneaking uneasy glances at Adrian, and Amelia herself could feel a storm gathering, something that would not stop here.
Because that dramatic interruption wasn’t just an awkward moment. It was a spark, one that hinted at past sins, present changes, and a future where everything, business, personal, and emotional was about to collide in ways none of them could yet imagine.
Hours stretched and the meeting continued.
Finally, the meeting ended on a fragile note of success, with agreements made and timelines set. Yet as Amelia gathered her files, Adrian’s voice reached her softly, meant only for her.
“You see, Amelia,” he said, eyes locking onto hers, “I’m not the man I used to be p>
Her breath caught, but before she could respond, Peter stepped in with a reminder about their next meeting. And just like that, the fragile spell broke, though the drama had only just begun.
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Cedella
Cedella is a passionate storyteller known for her bold romantic and spicy novels that keep readers hooked from the very first chapter. With a flair for crafting emotionally intense plots and unforgettable characters, she blends love, desire, and drama into every story she writes. Cedella’s storytelling style is immersive and addictive—perfect for fans of heated romances and heart-pounding twists.