Chapter 221 The Past Stings

Chapter 221 The Past Stings
Bianca's POV

Hours later, I stood in the conference room, shaking hands with Mr. Jeffta, the CEO of an electronic firm we'd been following up for months.

"You are so good at this, Miss McIntyre," Mr. Jeffta said, giving my hand a firm shake with a broad smile spread across his face. "Before you started working with Steele, we used to wonder if this firm could handle advertising campaigns with real results.”

"Oh, you flatter me,” I smiled politely.

"I'm being honest. From the few consultations we have had with you, our last product launch was remarkably productive. We are genuinely looking forward to the next one."

I offered him another smile. "I'm glad I could help, Mr. Jeffta. I learned from the best. My father taught me the basics of client relations before he passed."

"Of course," Mr. Jeffta nodded. "We all knew about the great McIntyre Holdings. It was a shame that it was given over to someone else. I heard it was even his direct rival who ended up pulling the strings behind the scenes."

I froze as he spoke about my father yet again.

I didn't want to revisit that ugly part of my past. The memory of arriving at my father's company for the first time after marrying Marcus and realizing we'd sold our majority shares.

It was easily one of the worst days of my life. Not only did I lose my parents, I lost our house, our company and almost everything that reminded me of them.

I had to take a deep breath and once more remind myself that it was all in the past. I was here and I was doing everything to pick my life up and be my own person.

I cleared my throat, forcing my voice to remain steady. "It was wonderful doing business with you today, Mr. Jeffta. I look forward to finalizing the campaign strategy and details."

Mr. Jeffta blinked, clearly sensing the sudden change in my posture. "Of course. I am so sorry if I said anything that upset you, Miss McIntyre."

"No, not at all," I said quickly, taking a step back toward the door. "I just have to grab a cup of coffee. I'm feeling a bit tired after the presentation."

It wasn't a complete lie. Seeing how I rejected breakfast, I was now starving and between work and this presentation, I hadn't ordered lunch.

"Understood, have a good afternoon, Miss McIntyre. I wish to work more with you."

I watched him begin to gather his things as I walked out of the conference room and as soon as the glass door shut behind me, I felt tears threatening to spill.

I squeezed my eyes shut for a second, forcing myself to take a deep breath.

I couldn't cry, I told myself. Not here, not in front of the staff.

If I had to be strong, I had to control the freaking tears and stop acting like a little girl.

Everything in this city seemed to lead back to my parents.

It had been years since their passing and yet every work environment seemed to tie me right back to my parents. Almost like they didn't want me to ever forget.

And now, realizing that Leon was somehow tied up in all this. That he had a hand in making me lose my father's legacy to his son, I couldn't stand it.

I had been stupid before, I let love blind me when I met Marcus. I thought he was my knight in shining amour and I allowed the leech into my heart and my account.

Now, I had the scars to remind me never to be that stupid anymore.

I walked down the hallway toward the coffee machine that was tucked to the left corner just beside the emergency stairs and the elevator to the right.

The machine here did not make fancy drinks. It brewed straight black espresso and there was rarely any creamer, milk, or sugar kept near it because Leon drank his coffee black, especially when he was buried under work.

Still shaky, I pulled out a Styrofoam cup and placed it under the spout, hit the start button, and watched the dark liquid drip down.

I was so hungry my stomach was actually growling loudly. But somehow, I knew I'd rather starve than accept that lunch package.
My mind wandered for a second while I waited. No matter how strong I wanted to be, how was I going to survive this?

In so many ways, Leon was the person who had pulled me out of the dirt after Marcus ruined my life.

He reminded me that I was still a woman, that I could still feel desire and passion and…sex?

I refused to think about that part.

He had brought me into his firm, given me clients, and made me feel capable and useful again.

If I walked away from Steele International right now, where would I go?

He had offered me seed capital to launch my own independent firm dozens of times, but taking his money would only make me feel more indebted to him.

Even if he swore he would never demand repayment, the emotional debt would eat me alive.

Everything would remind me of Leon. And I wasn't sure what was more torturous; trying to forget him or seeing him again.

It was so difficult to be near him. Every time I looked at him, I wondered if this was how he treated every woman who caught his eye.

I had let myself fall in love with him, but the fear of being just another infatuation on his list paralyzed me.

The women in those photos were stunning, some were clearly fashion models with effortless poise and beauty.

Hilda was a beauty herself. Despite being a wicked hag who raised a narcissistic son, she was undeniably beautiful.

If he could walk away from them after getting bored, what made me think I was special? There was nothing remarkable about me that could hold a man like Leon Steele.

"Are you crying?" A deep baritone suddenly asked from the left.