Falling For My Ex's Dad by Oma Green

Chapter 202

Chapter 203: You Had One Job

Gabriel's POV

Adrian looked like hell.

His shirt was half-untucked, his tie loose and crooked. His hair stuck up in odd directions, like he'd styled it with his hands in a moving car.

His steps were rushed, scattered-like someone who already knew he'd lost and was scrambling to salvage whatever pieces were left.

He was panting like he'd sprinted across the building-yet still had the nerve to flash a sheepish, almost casual smile. Like we weren't standing on the edge of something monumental.

"Sorry,” he said breathlessly, tugging at his tie like it might straighten out his failure. "I-uh-had a little accident. But I'm here now."

I dropped my head, fist clenched beneath it, all the passion I'd felt earlier turning into a slow, simmering rage.

Disappointment burned through me. Of course he was going to fuck it up.

He hadn't changed-not really. Still the same entitled, distracted boy who thought charm could fix everything. Still unprepared. Still chasing excuses and calling them setbacks, like the world would wait for him to catch up.

I looked to Randolph, bracing myself to see if that trainwreck of an entrance had sunk us. But he'd already turned away from Adrian-his focus was on Clairessa

now.

Everyone's was.

So was mine.

Adrian slid in beside her like nothing had happened-like he deserved to be near her. But even she didn't play along.

She barely spared him a glance, just shot him a furious glare and gave the smallest shake of her head. His shoulders wilted. He nodded once-quiet, apologetic. Like a scolded child.

And Clairessa? She turned right back to the screen.

"As I was saying-"

Flawless. Unbothered. Commanding.

She didn't stumble. Didn't miss a beat.

I didn't know how she did it.

She owned the room.

Christ, she was brilliant.

Near the end, I caught her leaning slightly toward Adrian. Subtle-just enough

that only someone paying too much attention would notice.

She whispered something under her breath, guiding him.

Coaching him like a broken wind-up toy she still wanted to see run, still hoping he'd pull it together.

Then she turned back to the board and said, "I'll let Adrian close."

He stepped forward, hands fidgeting at his shirt cuffs, cleared his throat twice- eyes darting, voice trembling.

He looked like a child wearing his father's confidence. But then-somehow-he found it. Not all of it. But enough.

The closing wasn't perfect, but it wasn't a disaster either. Passable. Clean. Enough to avoid catastrophe.

And when he finished-

Applause.

kind that made people believe in

I barely registered

I saw only her.

hadn't just carried the entire pitch on her shoulders. Like she hadn't just saved

A private

She didn't see it.

looked

Not even once.

I hated how

then broke into a wide grin across the

I'm impressed. That was a

instantly. "Ms. Hartwood is one

me. Just

faintest smile touched

Soft. Controlled.

my pulse kicked like a hammer

God help me.

This was dangerous.

was too old for this. Too carved up inside. Too damn smart to chase

never be

nodded. Clairessa gave a quiet smile. Adrian exhaled relief.

They walked out together.

door shut

Only Randolph remained.

his seat and gave

thrilled about the delay

gave him a knowing look.

He chuckled, eyes

That was damn near flawless. Best I've seen all quarter. Hell,

all year."

you. We don't settle for less. I've got some

sparkled

she's a star. The way she handled those objections? Calm under pressure.

exceptional," I said, letting the

better hold onto her.

didn't miss the warning buried in the compliment. "That's never going to

the sigh.

though-Adrian, is

I clenched my jaw.

made it. Just barely. But he recovered.

get him in line. He's still... figuring it out. I just hope he figures it out before he

out a knowing laugh, leaning

hear you. My son's just the same. Always distracted, always fighting me.

about the business is like

Then his tone softened.

The grind. The long hours. The sleepless nights. We don't build this empire just for ourselves, Gabriel.

see it now or

hand. "You're absolutely

it firmly. "You've got the deal. Send over the

will take care

through me. "You won't

door closing behind

meeting, the

God for that-because despite Adrian's no-show, and how

had stepped in and saved the day. Somehow, it

kept

her. Because if you don't, someone else

sat heavy in my

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