Chapter 8

The weight of Cloud’s words lingered as we drove back. I stared out the window, watching the city blur past, but my mind was still stuck in that conference room.

Because it’s true.

That was what Cloud had said when I asked why he claimed to trust me. But why? He barely knew me. I had no experience in this world of high-stakes business deals, and yet he had just publicly vouched for me in front of men who could make or break him.

I shifted in my seat and stole a glance at Cloud. His face was unreadable, as always, his fingers drumming lightly against the steering wheel. He didn’t seem the least bit affected by the conversation from earlier.

I, on the other hand, couldn’t shake the feeling that something bigger was at play.

“You’re quiet,” Cloud remarked without looking at me.

I shrugged. “Just thinking.”

“Careful. Too much thinking can be dangerous.”

I scoffed. “You sound like an old mob boss.”

He smirked but said nothing.

The rest of the ride was quiet, but not uncomfortable. When we finally pulled into the driveway of the mansion, I exhaled, realizing only then that I had been tense the entire way back. Cloud parked the car smoothly and stepped out without another word.

I followed him inside, my mind still tangled with questions. The house staff was already busy preparing lunch, the scent of something rich and savory filling the air. Cloud, as usual, ignored it and made his way toward his office.

“Clinton,” he called over his shoulder just before disappearing behind the door. “Come in.”

I hesitated for a brief moment before following him inside. The office was spacious, dimly lit, with sleek black furniture and walls lined with bookshelves. A massive desk sat at the center, scattered with files and documents I didn’t dare touch.

Cloud settled into his chair and gestured for me to sit across from him.

“You’re wondering why I trust you,” he said, getting straight to the point.

I leaned back in my chair. “Well, yeah. Kind of hard not to.”

Cloud steepled his fingers, studying me with an intensity that made my skin prickle. “I don’t make decisions lightly, Clinton. I brought you in because I see something in you.”

I frowned. “What exactly do you see?”

He leaned forward slightly, his gaze unwavering. “Loyalty. Potential. The ability to adapt. You don’t crumble under pressure, and that’s rare.”

I swallowed hard, unsure how to respond to that. No one had ever spoken about me like that before. Not in a way that actually mattered.

“Okay,” I said slowly. “And what happens if I fail?”

Cloud’s expression didn’t change. “Then you’re not the person I thought you were.”

The simplicity of his answer made me shiver. It wasn’t a threat, but it wasn’t exactly reassuring either. There was no room for second chances in his world.

Before I could say anything else, there was a knock at the door. One of the house staff peeked in. “Sir, Miss Athena is here to see you.”

I stiffened.

Cloud exhaled through his nose, irritation flickering across his face before he masked it. “Let her in.”

Athena entered the room like she owned the place, dressed in an expensive cream-colored coat and heels that clicked sharply against the floor. Her gaze swept over me before settling on Cloud.

“We need to talk,” she said.

Cloud leaned back, his expression unreadable again. “Go ahead.”

She glanced at me. “In private.”

Cloud didn’t move. “Clinton stays.”

Her jaw tightened. “Fine.” She turned back to Cloud, arms crossing over her chest. “I heard about the meeting. The investors are uneasy about him.” She gestured to me with a pointed look. “Why are you wasting time on an outsider?”

I clenched my fists but said nothing. Cloud, however, remained completely calm.

“I don’t recall needing to explain my decisions to you, Athena,” he said smoothly.

Her lips pressed together, but she didn’t back down. “Cloud, be serious. This is your company, your future. You don’t have time to play mentor.”

Cloud finally stood, his presence towering. “And yet, I make time. Because I know what I’m doing.”

Athena’s eyes flashed with frustration. “You’re making a mistake.”

“Then let me make it.”

Silence stretched between them. For a moment, I thought Athena might argue further, but instead, she let out a sharp breath and turned on her heel. She stopped at the door and shot me one last, withering look before walking out.

The tension in the room remained thick long after she left.

Cloud sighed and pinched the bridge of his nose. “She’s relentless.”

I raised an eyebrow. “She’s not wrong. You are taking a risk with me.”

He looked at me, a hint of amusement in his eyes. “You planning on proving her right?”

I shook my head. “No.”

“Good.” He grabbed a folder from his desk and tossed it toward me. “Then start proving her wrong.”

I caught it and flipped it open, scanning the contents. It was a dossier of sorts—detailed profiles, financial reports, and market analyses. My head spun at the sheer amount of information.

“What is this?” I asked.

“A test,” Cloud said. “We have another meeting in two days. I want you to go through this, figure out what’s relevant, and brief me before we walk in.”

I swallowed. “And if I screw it up?”

Cloud smirked. “Then we’ll find out if I made a mistake.”

I looked at the folder again, my pulse quickening. This was it. My chance to prove I wasn’t just some outsider. To prove I belonged here.

I closed the folder with a snap and met Cloud’s gaze.

“Challenge accepted.”

The next forty-eight hours passed in a blur of numbers, charts, and late-night coffee. I pored over the documents, highlighting key details, cross-referencing market trends, and trying to make sense of the company’s financial standing. Sleep became an afterthought as I worked tirelessly to ensure I wouldn’t be walking into that meeting unprepared.

By the time the meeting day arrived, I felt the weight of exhaustion pressing on me, but I shoved it aside. Cloud and I stepped into the boardroom, where the same skeptical investors from before sat, waiting. Their eyes lingered on me, still unconvinced.

Cloud gestured for me to begin. Heart pounding, I stood, cleared my throat, and launched into my presentation. I spoke with conviction, breaking down the figures, explaining potential strategies, and countering concerns before they could be raised.

When I finished, silence filled the room.

Then, one of the investors nodded. "Impressive."

Another murmured in agreement.

Cloud smirked, clearly satisfied. "Looks like I didn’t make a mistake after all."

I exhaled slowly, relief washing over me.

Maybe, just maybe, I did belong here.