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.

Sincere. The kind that made people

barely

I saw only her.

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

smirked. A private

She didn't see it.

hadn't looked

Not even once.

I hated how much that

a wide grin across

impressed.

Hartwood is

at me. Just

faintest smile touched her

Soft. Controlled.

my pulse kicked like a hammer in

God help me.

This was dangerous.

for this. Too carved up inside. Too damn smart

be allowed

team nodded. Clairessa gave a quiet smile. Adrian

They walked out together.

door shut

Only Randolph remained.

seat and gave a low whistle. "Gabriel," he

"I wasn't thrilled

gave him a knowing look. "Neither was

He chuckled,

That was damn near flawless.

all year."

less. I've

eyes sparkled with

those objections? Calm under pressure. Quick on her

said, letting the pride coat

better hold onto her. Because if

in the compliment. "That's never going to

came the sigh. The

though-Adrian, is

I clenched my jaw.

he made it. Just barely. But he recovered. That's

my nose. "I'm trying to get him in line. He's still...

let out a knowing

the same. Always distracted, always fighting me.

about the

Then his tone softened.

do this for them, don't we? All of it. The grind. The long hours.

they see it now

hand.

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

will take care

surged through me. "You won't

parted, the door closing behind

the deal

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

everything, Clairessa had stepped in and saved the day. Somehow, it all worked

Randolph's words kept

Because if you

sat heavy

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