NovelOnlineChapter 197: Stopping Him From Breaking
Clairessa's POV
"Again." | 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 tthat
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.
We drilled everything-posture, tone, pacing, handling objections, anticipating questions. | 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.
| had poured blood and sweat into this project. | couldn't afford to see it fall apart. And beyond that, there was
the deal Gabriel and | had struck: if Adrian delivered, the contract between us would end, and mywould
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 setup to fail— but | was determined to prove
him wrong.
Adrian's success was my way out, and | was going to make damn sure he was too prepared to stumble. That's
why | pushed him so hard.
He was giving it everything he had, but | 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 ssection over and over.
"Clairessa," he muttered, pushing the laptop aside and slumping into the seat behind him. "Can we take a
break?"
| 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."
"| know." He tipped his head back, groaning. "But maybe one way to get it right is
to take a break. A real one. Let's grab coffee. Or go for a drive. Anything."
| crossed my arms. "That's a bad idea. Especially now. We're so close. Maybe once we're done."
He turned to me, frustration flashing across his face. "Then | guess I'm done for today. My head's spinning. We've
been at this for hours, and | can't keep up with your pace. You might be able to power through, but I'm tapped
out."
| studied him, about to respond, when my office door slid open.
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Nicole stepped in with the subtle of a soap opera entrance, her eyes gleaming like she'd just caught us
doing something we shouldn't.
Not surprised.
Gabriel had warnedhe was pulling her onto the project-but that didn't make her timing any less irritating.
Her gaze drifted over me, slow and judgmental, before settling on Adrian with a smug little grin.
"When | heard you started working at your dad's company, | asked around." She huffed, her tone dripping with
sarcasm. "Your office was empty, so | figured-of course you'd be here, wasting tinstead of actually working."
Adrian stiffened, already fed up from the long day. He stood. "Nicole, what the hell are you doing here?"
She gave a sweet, mocking smile and gestured vaguely around her. "Uh, | work here? Have you forgotten
already? Storm Innovations?"
Adrian let out a humorless laugh. "Nicole, that's not what I'm asking. | don't care if
you work here. What are you doing in Clairessa's office?"
She held up her hands like she was doing us a favor. "Joining the project,
obviously. Your father assignedto help wrap things up."
| barely managed to suppress an eye roll. I'd warned Gabriel that bringing Nicole
on board was a terrible idea-especially knowing how disruptive she could be.
But apparently, he thought throwing her into the mix was a brilliant move.
Adrian blinked at her, confused and clearly suspicious. "That's not true. You're not on this project. Clairessa, the
rest of the team, and | have been working nonstop for weeks. You're not part of it. You're lying."
Nicole laughed, cold and sarcastic. "Oh, Adrian Still so self-important. Hate to burst your bubble, but the world
doesn't revolve around you Your dad askedto join. He
knows how valuable | am. Guess he figured your little project could use sof my... magic."
Adrian narrowed his eyes. "There's no way my dad assigned you without telling me. Get out of Clairessa's office."
She squared her shoulders. "I'm not going anywhere. Or did you forget it was you
who helpedget this job in the first place?"
Adrian stepped closer, eyes locked on hers. "You're right about that. But remember-since | helped you get the
job, | can also make sure you get fired."
"Oh, you wouldn't dare," Nicole shot back.
| stood there, watching their back-and-forth until I'd had enough. Stepping between them, | placed a hand on
Adrian's chest.
"Calm down." Then | 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 been added to the team."
Nicole's smirk widened, triumphant. "See? Told you | wasn't here to cause trouble. I'm here to help. You should be
grateful."
| faced her squarely. "Nicole, | don't care who asked you to join. I'm the lead on
this project. If you're not here to be useful or if you try to stir up -I'll walk you out myself. Am | clear?"
She rolled her eyes. "Whatever."
| returned to my seat and gestured toward Adrian. "Let's get back to it. Adrian, please sit." | turned to Nicole.
"You too. Sit."
Nicole plopped down into the chair opposite mine, legs crossed tically. "So, catchup. What have you
two been working on?"
| pointed to the files spread out between us. "You can see for yourself."
She barely glanced at them. "Humor me."
| sighed. "Before you barged in, we were reviewing Adrian's pitch. He's presenting
to the CEO tomorrow, and we're finalizing the deck and his closing."
Nicole snorted, loud and condescending. "Adrian? Delivering the pitch?" She laughed. "Tellyou're joking.
You're seriously going to tank this pitch." Adrian threw up his hands. "What the hell is that supposed to mean?"
She tilted her head. "Adrian, con. You know | know you. Six months was enough to see all your quirks. You
hate speaking in front of a room full of people, and now you're pitching to a CEO? A multi-million dollar proposal?
Really?"
| jumped in before Adrian exploded. "Nicole, enough!
The last thing we need right now is you trashing his confidence. I've been working with him for weeks. He's come
a long way, and he's earned this."
Nicole raised her hands. "Fine. But
since I'm on the project now, | can't
let it fail. So-Adrian-why wei)
showwhat youYegot?te Ss see
this pith Syours. Who knows, |
might even help. Nobody knows you
better than me, right?" Her voice was
laced with flirtation. Adrian looked at
me, exasperated. “Claire, | can't deal
with this. | need air." The content is
on novelenglish.net! Read the latest
chapter there!
| reached for his hand. "You can. Don't let her get to you. She's just another voice
in the room—just pretend she's one of the stricter board members. Let's go over the section you were most
comfortable with."
Adrian gave my hand a quick squeeze, then stood. He pulled out the printout of the pitch and began reciting the
final lines.
But midway through, he faltered. Lost his place. Silence stretched.
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Nicole broke it with another burst of
laughter. "| called it. You guys are
screwed. Is this what he's gorge do
age hele finish a
closing ine. Why the hell is he leading
this pitch anyway? From what I've
heard, you're the one who's done all
the work. So why are you letting him
take the lead?" The content is on
novelenglish.net! Read the latest
chapter there!
"| believe Adrian can do this." My
Adrian tone was firm, hoping she'd
get the message. h fost peeds Tt)
iol preictice! [oN as for why he's
giving the pitch, Mr. Storm
specifically requested it. That's why
we're doing this. That's why we need
to get him ready." The content is on
novelenglish.net! Read the latest
chapter there!
Nicole opened her mouth, but | refused to let her speak. "So instead of tearing
him down, maybe try supporting him. You're part of this team now. And in this
team, we don't belittle each other. We encourage each other. Got it?"
Nicole nodded. "You're right."
Then she turned to face Adrian. "I apologize, and I'll try to be more careful with my feedback. But don't expect
It was clear Nicole's apology wasn't genuine, and inside, | was seething, but | fought to keep it together.
Ever since she got here, all she's done is throw jabs and make everything worse.
She didn't understand how important this pitch was how much was riding on Adrian getting it right. She had no
idea about the contract. And if she kept pushing him, | knew Adrian would break.
"I'm done." Adrian's voice was low but tense, each word strained through
clenched teeth.
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