Falling For My Ex's Dad by Oma Green

Chapter 197

Chapter 197: Stopping Him From Breaking

Clairessa's POV

"Again." I paced in front of my desk, back and forth. For now, it doubled as our makeshift pitch rehearsal space. "Start from the top-and this time, hold your ground during the close. That's where your confidence always slips."

Adrian groaned, dragging a hand through his hair. He launched into the opening of his pitch for the fifth time that hour, fumbling his phrasing halfway through and glancing at me, clearly hoping for reassurance.

"You're still not projecting enough confidence." My voice stayed gentle-so he'd understand it was a suggestion, not a criticism. "They want to believe in you. But that only happens if you believe it first."

"I'm trying," he muttered, his eyes low, heavy with fatigue.

We'd spent the entire weekend like this little sleep, long days, and even longer nights.

Me coaching. Him hanging on by a thread.

We drilled everything-posture, tone, pacing, handling objections, anticipating questions. I cut him off mid-sentence, redirected his focus, refined every word until it hit with precision.

Now, with the weekend behind us and the pitch day fast approaching, the pressure was heavier than ever. Adrian had to nail this. He had to impress the CEO and seal the deal.

I had poured blood and sweat into this project. I couldn't afford to see it fall apart. And beyond that, there was the deal Gabriel and I had struck: if Adrian delivered, the contract between us would end, and my app would finally get funded.

My freedom would be restored.

And that's what this had become:

A battle to the finish line.

Training Adrian felt like walking a tightrope. Gabriel had clearly set me up to fail— but I was determined to prove him wrong.

Adrian's success was my way out, and I was going to make damn sure he was too prepared to stumble. That's why I pushed him so hard.

He was giving it everything he had, but I could see how drained he was. The laptop sat open between us on the table, buried under notes and slides.

His voice was hoarse from repeating the same section over and over.

"Clairessa," he muttered, pushing the laptop aside and slumping into the seat behind him. "Can we take a break?"

I gave him a firm look. “You said it yourself—your dad's expecting you to win Randolph over. If we're going to get this right, we can't take breaks, Adrian."

"I know." He tipped his head back, groaning. "But maybe one way to get it right is

Let's grab coffee. Or go

my arms. "That's a bad idea. Especially now. We're so close.

today. My head's spinning. We've been at this for hours,

studied him, about to respond, when my

subtle drama of a soap opera entrance,

Not surprised.

project-but that didn't make her timing any less irritating. Her gaze drifted over me, slow and judgmental, before

her tone dripping with sarcasm. "Your office

from the long day. He stood. "Nicole, what the hell are you doing

smile and gestured vaguely around her. "Uh, I work here?

laugh. "Nicole, that's not what I'm asking. I

are you doing in

like she was doing us a favor.

father assigned me to help

managed to suppress an eye

a terrible idea-especially knowing

apparently, he thought throwing her into the mix was a brilliant

true. You're not on this project. Clairessa, the rest of the team, and I have been working nonstop for weeks. You're not part of it. You're

Hate to burst your bubble, but the world doesn't revolve

Guess he figured your little

assigned you

anywhere. Or did you forget

get this job in the

that. But remember-since I helped you get the job, I can

wouldn't dare," Nicole shot

had enough. Stepping between them, I

days ago.

you I wasn't here to cause trouble.

who asked you

if you try to stir up drama-I'll walk you

rolled her

to my seat and gestured toward Adrian. "Let's get back to it. Adrian, please sit." I turned to Nicole. "You too.

the chair opposite mine, legs crossed dramatically. "So, catch me up. What have

to the files spread out between us. "You can see for

glanced at them. "Humor

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