Chapter 9

As the meeting concluded, the investors filed out one by one, some offering me brief nods of approval while others simply glanced in Cloud’s direction, as if acknowledging his judgment. I stayed seated, my pulse still racing from the adrenaline of presenting under so much scrutiny.

Cloud remained standing, arms crossed as he watched them leave. When the last one exited, he turned to me. “Not bad.”

I exhaled sharply, letting the tension in my shoulders finally ease. “I’ll take ‘not bad.’”

He smirked, walking over to the long conference table and picking up a glass of water. “You held your ground. You gave them numbers they could trust, projections they could believe in. But more importantly, you didn’t flinch. That’s what they needed to see.”

I leaned back in my chair, running a hand through my hair. “I was sweating bullets the entire time.”

Cloud chuckled, a rare sound coming from him. “They didn’t notice.”

I stared at the empty doorway, still processing everything. This world of business, power plays, and high-stakes decisions—it was nothing like what I had known before. And yet, Cloud had brought me into it, pushed me into the deep end, and somehow, I was still afloat.

My thoughts were interrupted when the door swung open again. Athena stood there, arms crossed, her expression unreadable.

“I heard the meeting went well,” she said, stepping inside.

Cloud didn’t respond, simply taking a sip of water and watching her with that same unreadable gaze he always wore.

Athena turned her attention to me. “Congratulations. You impressed them.”

I wasn’t sure if it was genuine or laced with something else, but I nodded. “Thanks.”

She didn’t sit, instead walking toward the windows, her back to both of us. “But don’t get too comfortable, Clinton. One good presentation doesn’t mean you’re safe. Investors are fickle. The moment you slip up, they’ll turn on you.”

I frowned, but Cloud cut in before I could respond. “Athena, what do you want?”

She turned, eyes narrowing slightly. “I want to make sure you’re thinking clearly, Cloud. You’ve taken a risk by backing him. If he fails, you fail.”

Cloud smirked. “You underestimate my ability to hedge my bets.”

Athena scoffed, shaking her head. “I just hope you know what you’re doing.” She cast me one last glance before heading toward the door. “Enjoy the victory while it lasts.”

As she left, I let out a slow breath. “She’s really not a fan of mine, huh?”

Cloud chuckled. “Athena doesn’t trust easily. She believes control equals security. Anything unpredictable puts her on edge.”

I nodded, processing his words. “And you? Do you believe in control?”

Cloud studied me for a moment, then smirked. “I believe in knowing when to take a gamble.”

Something about the way he said it made me feel like this was more than just about business.

—

That night, exhaustion finally caught up with me. I crashed in my room, barely kicking off my shoes before I was out cold. When I woke up the next morning, the sun was already high, and my phone buzzed with a message from Cloud.

Be downstairs in fifteen. We have a meeting.

I groaned, dragging myself out of bed. After a quick shower, I threw on a fresh suit and made my way downstairs. Cloud was already waiting by the car, dressed in his usual crisp black attire, his sunglasses hiding any sign of tiredness.

“Where are we going?” I asked, sliding into the passenger seat as he started the engine.

“Follow-up meeting with a key investor. He wants to talk one-on-one.”

I nodded, but something about Cloud’s tone made me wary. “Is this a good thing or a bad thing?”

Cloud didn’t answer right away. He just smirked and pulled out of the driveway. “We’ll find out.”

—

The restaurant where we met the investor was exclusive, the kind of place where deals worth millions were made over expensive wine and perfectly cooked steaks. We were led to a private dining area, where a distinguished older man sat waiting.

“Mr. Caldwell,” Cloud greeted, shaking his hand. “Appreciate you making the time.”

Caldwell nodded and gestured for us to sit. “I wanted a more direct conversation after yesterday’s meeting. Your protégé here did well, but I have questions.”

I sat up straighter, readying myself. “I’ll do my best to answer.”

Caldwell’s sharp eyes studied me. “You spoke with confidence. Your data was solid. But confidence can be rehearsed, and numbers can be fed. What I want to know is whether you understand the weight of what you’re stepping into.”

I met his gaze. “I understand that business at this level isn’t just about numbers—it’s about trust, control, and knowing when to take risks. I understand that yesterday was just one step, and I have a long way to go.”

Caldwell tapped his fingers against the table, considering me. Then, finally, he nodded. “Good answer.”

Relief flooded through me, but I kept my expression steady.

Cloud smirked. “Told you he was worth the investment.”

Caldwell chuckled, taking a sip of his drink. “Perhaps you did.” He turned back to me. “I’ll be keeping an eye on you, Clinton. Impress me again, and you might just find doors opening that you never imagined.”

I swallowed, nodding. “I won’t disappoint.”

As the conversation shifted back to business, I couldn’t help but feel it.

This was just the beginning.

The meeting concluded with a series of nods and murmurs, and as the investors filed out, I felt the last vestiges of tension ease from my shoulders. Cloud lingered behind, shaking hands and exchanging pleasantries, but his sharp eyes never left me.

As soon as the last executive exited the boardroom, Cloud clapped a hand on my shoulder. "Not bad," he said, his smirk teasing but approving. "You didn’t just survive—you owned it."

I exhaled, running a hand through my hair. "Felt like I was walking a tightrope the entire time."

He chuckled. "Welcome to my world. Now let’s see if you can keep your balance."

Cloud strode out, and I followed, adrenaline still coursing through me. The hallway was empty except for Athena, who leaned against the far wall, arms crossed, watching us with unreadable eyes. As we approached, she pushed off and walked toward Cloud.

"We need to talk," she said again, this time her voice quieter, more urgent.

Cloud gave me a sidelong glance. "Wait for me in my office."

I hesitated, glancing between the two of them before nodding and walking away. But as I left, I couldn’t shake the feeling that their conversation wasn’t just about business.

Back in Cloud’s office, I sank into the chair across from his desk, my mind still buzzing from the meeting. The weight of expectation was real now—this wasn’t just an opportunity anymore. It was a responsibility.

The door opened minutes later, and Cloud stepped inside, his usual cool demeanor slightly cracked with something resembling irritation. He loosened his tie and sank into his chair, exhaling slowly.

"Athena give you hell?" I asked, half-joking.

He smirked, but there was no amusement in it. "She thinks she’s doing me a favor."

I frowned. "By questioning your decisions?"

"By warning me about trusting the wrong people."

The implication was clear, but I didn’t take the bait. Instead, I leaned forward. "And do you? Trust the wrong people?"

Cloud held my gaze for a long moment before answering. "Not yet."

A beat of silence passed before he slid another folder across the desk toward me. "Since you handled yourself well, let’s see if you can take on something bigger. We have an acquisition in the works. I need you to do a deep dive—understand every angle, every weakness. If you spot something we can use, I want to know about it."

I opened the folder and skimmed the contents. The company in question was smaller but held potential—if handled correctly, this could be a game-changer.

I looked up at him. "When’s the deadline?"

Cloud smirked. "Tomorrow morning."

I let out a breath, but I didn’t complain. Instead, I nodded. "Challenge accepted."

Cloud leaned back, watching me with something almost resembling pride. "Then let’s get to work."