Chapter 239 108
THE conference table was still warm from handshakes. Papers neatly aligned. Pens set aside. Signatures drying in quiet finality.
Amelia stood tall at the head of her office table, the final document resting confidently beneath her palm as she extended her hand toward the visiting team.
“Congratulations,” the lead negotiator said with a broad smile. “That was sharp execution.”
Amelia’s smile was controlled but radiant.
“Thank you. We believe this partnership will be mutually profitable.”
“Profitable?” one of the men laughed. “With you steering it? Absolutely.”
Ryan stood slightly behind her, arms folded proudly, while two executive committee members flanked the side. The atmosphere in the room was buoyant, filled with relief, admiration, a hint of awe.
It wasn’t just another deal. It was a strategic one. And Amelia had closed it flawlessly.
As the final handshake ended, the visitors began gathering their folders.
“Looking forward to working closely with your team,” Amelia added smoothly.
“Likewise,” the lead replied. “We will have our legal unit follow through on the next stage documentation.”
“Ryan will coordinate,” she said without hesitation.
Ryan straightened slightly. “Already on it.”
More laughter followed.
One of the executives beside Amelia leaned closer and whispered jokingly, “Boss, should we just rename the boutique after you?”
She arched a brow playfully.
“You want to handle the paperwork for that?”
He chuckled.
“I withdraw my suggestion.”
The group gradually began filtering toward the door. Two of her executive members escorted the visiting team out, their voices echoing faintly down the hallway as they talked and laughed.
The office quieted. Only three remained.
One executive stepped forward once more, extending his hand.
“Brilliant work, ma’am.”
Amelia shook it firmly. “Team effort.”
“With a strong captain,” he added before giving Ryan a nod and exiting the office.
Now only Ryan remained. As expected.
He closed the door gently and turned toward her with an exaggerated expression of triumph.
“I knew it,” he declared dramatically. “I knew you were going to hit this off yet again, boss. I knew my boss!”
Amelia laughed, finally allowing herself to lean back against her desk.
“You sound like you personally signed the contract,” she teased.
“In spirit, I did,” Ryan replied proudly. “I told them from the beginning— if she wants it, she is getting it.”
She shook her head, basking in the lightness of the moment.
“You overestimate me.”
“I absolutely do not,” he countered immediately. “You saw their faces? They walked in confident and left recalibrating their life choices.”
She laughed louder at that.
Ryan walked toward the small lounge area in her office and dropped into one of the chairs casually.
“You don’t even flinch anymore. Pressure just bounces off you.”
Amelia moved to her seat slowly and lowered herself gracefully into it.
“Pressure is predictable,” she said lightly. “People are not.”
Ryan studied her with a knowing look.
“That sounded layered.”
She smiled faintly but didn’t elaborate.
He leaned forward slightly, resting his elbows on his knees.
“So boss,” he began casually, tilting his head in mock curiosity. “Hit it off. How is it going?”
She didn’t look confused. She didn’t pretend. She knew exactly what he meant.
Her smile didn’t fade, but something subtle shifted behind her eyes.
She exhaled softly and leaned back into her chair.
“Good,” she replied smoothly. “Still waiting for her to take her next move.”
Ryan nodded slowly.
“Ah.”
There was understanding in that single syllable.
Amelia’s eyes flickered with quiet amusement.
“She is trying.”
“That is dangerous.”
“It would be,” Amelia replied, “if I didn’t already know.”
Ryan smiled slightly.
“You are letting her think she is planting seeds.”
“I’m letting her water soil that doesn’t belong to her,” Amelia corrected calmly.
“Mm,” he nodded. “And Charles?” he asked carefully.
Amelia let out a quiet chuckle, waving her hand dismissively in the air.
“That one?” she said lightly. “He is… just there. His cup is yet to fill up.”
Ryan’s brows lifted slightly.
“Still hovering?”
“Hovering,” she confirmed. “He is adjusting. Trying to recalibrate.”
“And?”
“And nothing,” she replied calmly. “A cup fills at its own pace. If it cracks under pressure, that tells me everything.”
Ryan studied her expression.
“And I know quite well that you aren't worried at all.”
She tilted her head slightly. “About?”
“Losing him.”
Amelia smiled faintly.
“Ryan,” she said softly, “anything that can be lost that easily was never stable.”
He leaned back in his seat, impressed.
“Exactly. But you are terrifying sometimes, I must say.”
“I prefer disciplined.”
He chuckled. “You really are enjoying this.”
She didn’t deny it.
“It’s interesting,” she said thoughtfully. “Watching people react when the version of you they are used to… no longer exists.”
Ryan nodded knowingly as silence settled for a brief moment.
Then he sighed contentedly.
“I swear, working for you is like watching chess in real time.”
“Life is chess,” she replied.
“And Charles?”
She shrugged lightly.
“He thinks he is playing cards.”
Ryan laughed.
“Boss…”
“Yes?”
“If you ever need me to intervene—”
She shook her head immediately.
“None for now, but I—”
Her phone beeped. The sharp interruption sliced through the ease of the moment. Both of them glanced at it instinctively.
Amelia reached for the phone calmly, her posture still relaxed.
“Probably another congratulatory message,” Ryan muttered lightly.
She didn’t respond. She just swiped to unlock it. Her eyes scanned the screen.
The smile on her face didn’t vanish, but it stopped moving.
Ryan noticed it instantly.
Her pupils shifted. Her jaw stiffened almost imperceptibly.
She read the message again.
Slower.
Her fingers tightened slightly around the device.
“Boss?” Ryan asked quietly.
She didn’t answer. Her eyes widened. Not dramatically though, but enough to stir concern.
The air in the room changed. The confidence that had filled the office moments ago seemed to thin.
Ryan rose slowly from his chair.
“What is it?”
She was still staring at the screen. Frozen. Not saying a word.
And for the first time that day—
Amelia looked caught off guard.