Chapter 123: Chapter One–Hundred Twenty–Three

Jake's POV

I had an early meeting with the head of the PR department who briefed me on how to handle the upcoming meeting. When we were done, I headed out of the office and instructed my driver to take me to Donald's highrise.

The key clients were already seated around the long table. Eight familiar faces stared back at me, and the majority of them were unsmiling. The meeting started with a secretary reading the minutes of the previous meeting, after which Donald cleared his throat before speaking. "Good day, gentlemen. Concerns have risen regarding the recent news about family scandals linked to our latest business partner—Mr. Lloyd," he looked at me briefly. "We're here to unanimously agree upon the next action to be taken."

I adjusted in my seat, already feeling beads of sweat gathering on my forehead. My hand dipped into my chest pocket as I pulled out a handkerchief to dab my face.

An older man with thick-rimmed glasses leaned forward. "There are rules governing this company, and breaking these rules comes with consequences," he said, directing his words at me. "As a business partner, you're expected to be family-oriented and drama-free. I demand that this contract be terminated with immediate effect!"

My chest tightened, and I clenched my hands under the table, trying to steady myself. "This is an allegation by competitors to smear my public image," I spoke defensively. I pulled out a file and brought out several copies of a document that I passed around. "In your hands are data showing results—significant increases in both profits and user adoption to our products since this merger kicked off."

Nods and whispers echoed in the background. The man who spoke before me pushed his glasses to the bridge of his nose to examine the document properly. "This is not enough," he snapped. "We have the company's reputation at stake, and that—my friend—is more important than profits."

I reached for a glass of water and gulped down its contents. Now I wished there was something stronger I could drink to calm my aching nerves.

Does this mean that all my hard work and late nights spent at the office were in vain? What about the time and emotional investment I poured into a fake marriage just to make this work? Gone? Just like that.

It can't be!

Mr. Benedict, who had been quietly observing everything, spoke for the first time. "Mr. Lloyd here is a very diligent man. His partnership has brought several successes to this company, and we shouldn't be quick to sweep them under the rug," he spoke eloquently. "I would suggest we think this over and give him some time to clear his image."

The room fell into dead silence as everyone listened to Mr. B speak with utmost attention. Clearly, he held an upper hand in this company.

Mr. Donald requested I excuse them for thirty minutes so they could deliberate among themselves.

Waiting outside in the reception area was the longest thirty minutes of my life. I paced around, checking my wristwatch every now and then as the key clients discussed behind closed doors.

At thirty minutes sharp, I didn't wait to be summoned. Instead, I returned to the meeting room.

Donald leaned forward slightly, placing his arms against the table. "Welcome back, Mr. Lloyd," a sly smile curved on his lips as he waited for me to settle down. Then he cleared his throat. "It has been agreed upon that your contract with Donald and Co. will be placed on hold until further notice."

My breath hitched.

I slowly took in the faces around the table. Mr. B's expression was one of pity.

"This is the best decision for both parties, and I hope you understand," Donald added before extending a hand towards me.

I sighed before meeting his handshake with a tight clasp.

With the meeting over, Mr. B walked up to me and encouraged me not to lose hope because he would keep abreast of the matter and ensure it turned out in my favor.

At least, that was something I tried to hold onto, but really, what were the odds that it would eventually work out? He was literally the only one on my side among the others.

I stepped into the reception area, and my eyes landed on my biggest rival.

"Hello, Jake, long time no see," an evil smile stretched on Harrison's lips.

He extended a hand towards me.

My face remained in a tight scowl as I eyed his offer, signaling to him that I wasn't in the mood for his shenanigans.

I caught a flicker of disappointment in his face as he returned his hand to his side.

"I heard the news. I can't imagine what you must be going through right now," he said in mock concern. "Anyway, I have to get to my meeting. Don't want to keep Donald waiting, or should I say my future business partner?" He added a wink.

My fist clenched by my side as I tried to restrain myself from landing a punch on his face. "Whatever you heard has nothing to do with my contract with Donald's company," I let fake confidence fill my voice. "As we speak, our deal still stands."

Harrison's brows furrowed in confusion or shock, but I didn't care.

I brushed past him and sauntered out of the building.

Instead of returning to the office, I headed home. The first thing I did was grab two bottles of expensive alcohol from my shelf and head to my room. I gulped down a bottle at a go without care.

Could my life get any worse than this? The billions of dollars I was expecting from this huge deal to pump into my company has been put on hold.

I drowned myself in alcohol into the night until sleep eventually came.

The weeks that followed were worse than I imagined. I was slowly slipping into depression. Work no longer mattered. Life no longer made sense. Everything was in chaos.

I found solace in alcohol and had hardly any appetite for food.

Valerie and I barely crossed paths. I'm guessing she was now used to my detachment. Less than three months remained on our contract.

It was a Monday morning. I woke up shaking like a leaf, and when I tried to lift myself from the bed, my body couldn't move.

Shit!

I have some deadlines I can't afford to miss, and being confined to a bed was the last thing I wanted at this point in my life.

I stretched my hand and grabbed my phone from the bedside drawer, then dialed Sarah's number.

"Hey, big brother," her high-pitched tone came from the speaker.

I cut through the pleasantries. "I need you to come now. I don't feel too well."

"Why didn't you just call Valerie?" she asked bluntly. "You guys literally live in the same house