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

one. Let's grab coffee. Or go for a drive.

a bad idea. Especially now. We're so close. Maybe

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

respond, when my office

with the subtle drama of a soap opera entrance,

Not surprised.

didn't make her timing any less irritating. Her gaze drifted over me, slow and judgmental, before settling on Adrian with

your dad's company, I asked around." She huffed, her tone dripping with sarcasm.

the long day. He stood. "Nicole,

vaguely around her.

humorless laugh. "Nicole, that's not what I'm asking. I don't care

work here. What are you doing in

her hands like she was doing us a

father assigned me

managed to suppress an eye roll. I'd warned

board was a terrible idea-especially knowing

thought throwing her into the

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

bubble, but

valuable I am. Guess he figured your little project could

narrowed his eyes. "There's no way my dad assigned

"I'm not going anywhere. Or did you forget it

get this job in the first

"You're right about that. But remember-since I helped you get the job, I

dare," Nicole

enough.

turned to Nicole and back to Adrian. "She's right. Your dad mentioned it a few days ago. The deadline's tight, and he can't risk us falling behind. So yes... she's

to cause trouble. I'm here to help. You should be

I don't care who asked you to join. I'm

you're not here to be useful or if you try to stir up

her

toward Adrian. "Let's get back to it. Adrian, please sit." I turned to

mine, legs crossed dramatically. "So, catch me up. What have you two been

out between us. "You can see for

at them.

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