Falling For My Ex's Dad by Oma Green

Chapter 196: What If She Gave Him A Second Chance

Gabriel's POV

"Tems, let her in."

I spoke into the intercom, then cut the line.

Seconds later, my office door creaked open-and there she was.

Nicole strutted in like she was performing on a runway, hips swaying with exaggerated confidence. It was almost laughable. I half expected her knees to buckle under the weight of her own theatrics.

She halted at the edge of my desk, leaning forward just enough to shove her cleavage into view. Her lips curled into that smug little smirk she always wore― like she thought she had leverage, like she believed she still mattered.

"Mr. Storm," she purred. "You sent for me. I was surprised... but pleasantly so. Especially after how our last little encounter ended.” Her smile stretched wider. She twirled a strand of hair around her finger, eyes glittering with suggestion. "Then again, you know how useful I can be, sir. So I'm glad you've come around."

God, she was exhausting.

The sound of her voice grated-like nails dragging against glass. She always spoke too much, and somehow always managed to say the wrong thing.

She kept going, licking her lips before each sentence like she was still starring in some performance the world cared to watch. If anything, it only deepened my disgust.

I lifted a hand, palm out. "That's enough."

A slight crease formed between her brows-maybe disbelief. Whatever it was, I liked it. She'd expected warmth, maybe even a smile. What she got was ice. Exactly what she deserved.

"Get off your high horse, Nicole. This isn't the time for theatrics—or whatever fantasy you've cooked up in that conniving little head of yours."

She frowned and folded her arms, clearly annoyed that her fake charm had failed.

"I asked to see you," I continued, “because of that last meeting—and because there have been some changes at the company."

Her brow lifted, curiosity flashing in her eyes.

"What kind of changes?"

I leaned back in my chair, fingers clasped tightly. "You'll see soon enough. Adrian is now working at the company."

She burst out laughing-loud and mocking, like she'd just overheard a joke in a boardroom.

"Adrian? Working here?" she scoffed. "That's rich. He hates this place. I mean, he literally-"

"Nicole," I cut in, flat. "I don't tell jokes. And if I did, you'd be the last person I'd tell one to."

That wiped the amusement from her face.

I stood slowly and walked around the desk, my eyes locked on hers, reading every flicker of reaction.

"Now, let's get to why I called you."

She stiffened.

"You're going to forget those pictures you showed me. In fact, you'll forget our last meeting ever happened. You'll forget there was ever a moment when you thought

it was smart to show up in my office and try to manipulate me."

She squared her shoulders, challenging me. "And if I don't?"

I stepped in closer, towering over her now. My chest squared, my height filling the space between us, pressing in with quiet force. Her pupils shrank, her eyes darting around-like she was searching for someone to save her.

But the office was silent. Empty. Just the two of us. And in that stillness, she realized-whatever power she thought she wielded crumbled beneath the weight

of mine.

you.

trembling. "You...

me reaches my son, if you so much as whisper your assumptions anywhere in this building, you won't just be fired. You'll be blacklisted. I'll make sure

as she swallowed, her body trembling now. "Mr.

"I just did."

in where arrogance used to be. Good. She was folding. And one

head slightly. "Now's a good time to show how smart you

trembled before she finally spoke. "You've left me

short nod, a slight smirk tugging at the corner of my mouth. "Good. You know where you

into it, then reached behind the desk for a folder. Sliding

to talk about me, Clairessa, my son—or anything, real or imagined, related to

folder. Her eyes skimmed the pages quickly, scanning—until she found the clause about the penalty if she

eyes widened. "Two hundred thousand dollars if I break it? That's... that's

you have to do is keep your mouth shut and do the job you're paid to do. Do you want to keep your job or not? Do you want to stay relevant at all? If the answer's yes,

her eyes and

she took it and signed the contract. I watched

took the contract back and slid it into the folder. "Good. Now that

project your girlf-" She caught herself,

a tight smile. "I didn't expect you'd want me

already on track, but they need more capable

assigning you

for something that actually benefits this

narrowed her eyes, clearly insulted. I

me be absolutely clear. You are not there to challenge

You will

lines etched across her forehead, teeth sinking lightly into her bottom lip as

4.13

better of it.

wise decision

obedient little employee you're supposed to be." My

a second, shoulders rigid, then gave a

forward, making sure my tone left no room for argument.

a whiff of trouble from your direction-I will make things very, very

like she

Now get to

kind that barely reached her

slower than when she

Just... humbled.

for some reason, that felt

faded-like she and her drama no longer

shifted back to Clairessa. And the deal I'd just made

her-

that wasn't in the

the pitch and succeeded, the agreement

was exactly what I

to the team-even

there.

stay on

failure-of Adrian slipping,

-filled me with dread.

needed it to end. For

Clairessa... she wouldn't have to stay close

couldn't take it anymore. Watching them day after day, pretending