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

real one. Let's grab coffee. Or go for

bad idea. Especially now. We're so

"Then I 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.

to respond, when my office

soap opera entrance, her eyes gleaming like she'd just

Not surprised.

that didn't make her timing any less irritating. Her gaze drifted over

her tone dripping with sarcasm. "Your office was empty, so I figured-of course

He stood. "Nicole, what the hell are

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

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

here. What are you

like she was doing

father assigned me to help wrap things

suppress an eye roll. I'd warned Gabriel that

a terrible idea-especially knowing how disruptive she could

thought throwing her into the

not true. You're not on this project. Clairessa, the rest of the team, and I have been

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

figured your little project could use some of

eyes. "There's no way my dad assigned

not going anywhere. Or did you

helped me get this job in

But remember-since I helped you get the job, I can also make sure you get

wouldn't dare," Nicole

stood there, watching their back-and-forth until I'd had enough. Stepping between

days ago. The deadline's tight, and he can't risk us falling behind. So yes... she's been

triumphant. "See? Told you I wasn't here to cause trouble. I'm here to help. You should be

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

be useful or if you try to stir up drama-I'll walk you out myself.

rolled her eyes.

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

plopped down into the chair opposite mine, legs crossed dramatically. "So, catch

files spread out between us. "You

at

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