Chapter 118
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THE boardroom soon grew colder with every passing second. Adrian’s gaze never strayed far from Ryan, though he tried to mask it behind composed expressions and clipped responses. He noticed everything, the way Ryan leaned too close to Amelia, the way his hand brushed against her chair as if to remind everyone of his place beside
her.
It burned inside him, a sharp coil of jealousy he hadn’t felt in years. This wasn’t business anymore; Ryan’s presence was personal, it was deliberate. And though Adrian sat in silence, every fiber of him screamed against the smug assurance Ryan wore so easily.
Amelia, meanwhile, pressed forward with closing remarks, her voice calm though her nerves fluttered. She could still feel the storm brewing between the two men, and it made her chest tighten with frustration.
“Well,” she said, pushing back her chair, “I think we have covered what we need for today. The rest will be refined in writing.” She glanced briefly at Adrian, then at Ryan, her tone firm enough to cut through the standoff. “Let’s all keep the focus where it belongs, on the collaboration p>
Ryan was the first to rise, smiling lightly, though his eyes still lingered on Adrian.
“Of course. I wouldn’t have it any other way,” he said smoothly, sliding his hands into his pockets as though he had won some unseen round.
Adrian stood as well, his movements controlled but stiff.
“Then we will proceed with the timelines as discussed,” he said, his words short, precise. His eyes caught Amelia’s for the briefest second before he turned toward Peter, signaling it was time to leave.
Peter hurried to gather their files, offering Amelia a polite nod before following his boss. Ryan, however, stayed behind a fraction longer, exchanging quiet words with Amelia and Rex, his hand brushing hers in an all-too- familiar way that Adrian caught in the corner of his vision as he walked out.
Adrian’s jaw tightened. He said nothing, but the image seared into his mind. The closer Ryan moved, the more Adrian felt his presence was a threat, not just to the collaboration, but to the second chance he was desperately trying to claim.
The minute everyone present for the meeting had all left, Amelia briskly walked to her office, Ryan as expected followed behind. She entered the office and sank into her seat, tossing the files in her hand on the desk, exhaling a long, weary breath. Ryan entered as well, slowly dropped the laptop he was holding and sat on the seat opposite her. He had a steady gaze on her. She was panting heavily and written all over her face was confusion.
“Can you get me water please,” she said to Ryan who nodded and got up. He walked up to the table top refrigerator and singled out a bottle of water, then handed it to her. She took and gulped down a reasonable amount of it, still panting heavily as though she had run a hundred miles.
Ryan was quiet for a moment as he just watched his boss, silence stretched. Finally, he broke it.
“You know you can still reject the proposal right? It is not too late for that,” he said.
She rolled her eyes, saying nothing to him in response.
He continued.
“If this partnership is already stressing you out even before you venture into it, you can quit, we can quit. It is not late to,” he spoke again.
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“I have never said that, Ryan p>
Ryan nodded.
“How was the meeting you went for?” She digressed.
He sighed deeply.
“Perfect, no hitches. That reminds me p>
“What have I reminded you now p>
He chuckled.
“There is a gala occasion coming up in a night’s time. We can’t afford to miss this, ma’am,” he said.
“Ughhhh!” She screamed, already stressed out by so many galas.
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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.