Falling For My Ex's Dad by Oma Green

Clairessa’s POV

Chapter 36: Emergency Meeting

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I slammed the elevator button, my heart pounding with fear. I was late for an 8 a.m. meeting with Gabriel -an emergency meeting, no less. The email had only come through two hours ago. This had to be his way of punishing me. I just knew it. The man probably got a kick out of watching me scramble like this.

Normally, I was an early riser, but after the stressful week I’d had, dragging myself out of bed was a feat in itself. By the time I reached the boardroom, Gabriel was already there, seated at the head of the table. My nerves spiked as I glanced around. Where was the rest of the team?

I slipped inside quietly, taking my seat at the far end of the table. I wanted to put as much distance as possible between us.

Gabriel’s stern gaze locked onto me, sending a shiver down my spine. Damn him. How did he manage to look so infuriatingly good–his hair perfectly slicked back, his black suit tailored to perfection–especially this early in the morning? He didn’t even sleep much, yet here he was, composed and distractingly handsome.

“Clairessa, you’re late,” his voice cut through the room like steel, smooth yet reprimanding.

My chest tightened with irritation. “I apologize, Mr. Storm. But the memo came barely two hours ago-”

“I sent my driver for a reason. Why are you still late when I made it so convenient for you?” His tone grew colder, and his eyes darkened with an intensity that went beyond simple anger.

My voice trembled slightly. “I thought I’d have more time-”

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Chapter 36: Emergency Meeting

“You should have been better prepared.” His gaze bore into me, silencing the excuses forming in my head. “When I say 8 a.m., I mean 8 a.m. No excuses. This won’t happen again, Clairessa. Am I clear?”

“Yes, Mr. Storm,” I replied, swallowing the urge to snap back. I wouldn’t give him the satisfaction of seeing me break. There would be a time for that battle, but not now.

our biggest clients,” he continued, his tone serious, though there was a hint of sarcasm.

annoyance, excitement bubbled inside me. This was my chance to

though I felt extremely grateful for the opportunity. “I won’t

a faint smirk. “We’ll see. But

as though waiting for someone. Right on cue, the boardroom door

my seat when I saw

Nicole.

to be her. My hands curled into fists under the table as I fought to keep my

tone as she practically glided into the room. That wide, irritating smile made me

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36: Emergency Meeting

flawless, like she’d just stepped

to act like she hadn’t slept with my boyfriend–and was probably still

expression hardened instantly. “Nicole, you’re late,” he

Mr. Storm. It won’t happen

better not,” he warned, his voice colder than it had been with me. “And let me be clear. You won’t get any special treatment just because you’re friends with Adrian.

rolled my eyes in anger. It wasn’t enough that he used his connections

feel a sense of satisfaction as Gabriel reprimanded her, finally putting her in her place.

I was saying–the project you two will be handling is the Gemia Project. It’s a high–stakes venture for a major client. This app will revolutionize how people experience and book live entertainment, combining

she cheated with that jerk Adrian,

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36: Emergency Meeting

and deliver results. Nicole will handle the technical build and integration, Clairessa, you’ll manage

“You can count on us, Mr. Storm. We’ll make you