Mr. Ceo Wants Me

R

moment of my presentation. Had I said enough? Did I defend my

ore the red-haired woman, Claudia, or so I'd

" she began, her voice low but bi

, caught off gua

descending smirk. "I'm saying you should save yourself the emb

my back. "What the hell

, it's fine for someone's second wedding at a rustic barn, but for Isabella

d it to be foolish," she said with a shrug. "You sounded like a nervous intern trying to defend a class project

ds sunk in. She was trying to get in my head, t

cking down, I squ

the anger simmering just beneath the surface. "But the only opinion that matters right now is Isabella La

nd before returning, sharper this time. S

don't take it too hard when you lose

dn't give her the satisf

asn't about to let her intimidate me, not aft

t away, its heavy frame practically vibrating with th

e in the back of my mind echoed Claudia's words.

ced it just

ng you could, Aria.

waited in tense silence. The seconds stretched into min

nd the two other panelists. They looked composed, their expressions revealing nothing of the d

l. Isabella glanced at me briefly, offering the faintest of smiles before disappearing aro

ver both Claudia and me. For a moment, his face was

and calm. "Please come inside the co

ain I'd mishear

eated, more firmly this time.

cuse me?" she said, her voice sharp a

ith the same composed demeanor he always wore. "Thank yo

er shock and indignation. "This has to be a mistake," she snapped, her voice risin

ing through her outburst. "The decision has been

etter of it. With a huff, she spun on her heel and stormed down

ed. My legs felt like jelly, and my hands trembled sli

ing the silence. "Are

The space was eerily quiet now, save for the faint hum of the air conditioning. The tens

e long table where the panel had sat. He turned to face me, his

he said simply. "

I managed, my voice barely above a w

his tone softening just slightly. "Your work

mine with a mix of appraisal and authority. "This opportunity doesn't come often, M

eart racing as I tried