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

break. A real one. Let's

my arms. "That's a bad idea. Especially now.

guess I'm done for today. My head's spinning. We've been at this for hours, and I can't keep up with your pace. You might

him, about to respond, when my office door slid

of a soap opera entrance, her eyes gleaming like she'd just caught us doing something we

Not surprised.

timing any less irritating. Her gaze drifted over me, slow and judgmental, before settling on Adrian with a smug

company, I asked around." She huffed, her tone dripping with sarcasm. "Your office was empty,

stiffened, already fed up from the long day. He stood. "Nicole, what the hell are you

mocking smile and gestured vaguely around her. "Uh, I work here? Have you forgotten already? Storm

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

work here. What are

up her hands like she was doing us a favor.

me to help wrap things

suppress an eye roll.

terrible idea-especially knowing

he thought throwing her into the mix was a brilliant

her, confused and clearly suspicious. "That's not true. You're not on this project. Clairessa, the rest of the team, and

Adrian Still so self-important. Hate to burst your bubble, but the world doesn't revolve around

am. Guess he figured your

his eyes. "There's no way my dad assigned you without telling me.

anywhere. Or did you forget it

this job

eyes locked on hers. "You're right about that. But remember-since I helped you get the job, I can

wouldn't dare," Nicole shot

back-and-forth until I'd had enough. Stepping between them, I placed a hand on Adrian's

mentioned it a few days ago.

to cause trouble. I'm here to help.

her squarely. "Nicole, I don't care who asked you to

project. If you're not here to be useful or if you try to stir up drama-I'll walk you out myself.

her eyes.

seat and gestured toward Adrian. "Let's get back to it. Adrian,

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

the files spread out between us.

glanced at

The Novel will be updated daily. Come back and continue reading tomorrow, everyone!

Comments ()

0/255