Chapter 13
Chapter Twelve: The Meeting Part One
Liam Anderson’s grip on my hand tightened just as I was about to pull it away, realizing it was taking him far too long to let go.
Gavin cleared his throat. “Shall we proceed with the meeting, or would you like to take a tour of our company, Mr. Anderson?” he asked, his hands moving to my waist in a possessive manner.
Liam’s jaw clenched as his gaze flicked to Gavin’s hand on me. His dark eyes burned with unspoken fury, but he said nothing. Instead, he finally released my hand, his grip lingering just a second longer than necessary.
The way Juliana stared at us screamed her thoughts: How unprofessional!
Liam
i remained silent until Juliana spoke again. “We could proceed to the meeting first. Mr. Anderson. What do you think?”
He nodded, then glanced back at me. “I want some coffee.
“Oh, of course. What coffee do you prefer-
Juliana couldn’t finish her sentence because Liam suddenly grabbed the coffee cups I was holding
He took one and handed the rest to Juliana
“Hold it.” Liam ordered as if she were a junior staff member rather than someone with a higher position.
Her mouth fell open, disbelief evident on her face. Adie was about to come to her, but Hunter blocked her.
Juliana let out a soft laugh, but I noticed the trembling in her lips as she finally took the cups I was holding a while ago.
“Is there a problem?” Liam asked, his voice deceptively calm but laced with a subtle challenge.
Juliana quickly shook her head, her grip tightening on the coffee cup holder. “No, no problem,” she said, her voice barely above a whisper,
Liam smiled wickedly as he walked past us, acting like a king while we were mere servants meant to follow him.
Juliana shot me a glare as if I had wronged her yet again. She was about to hand the coffee cups she held to Adie when Liam called her.
“Miss Winslow, can you tell me about your company’s background?”
It’s as if she’s already y forgotten the humiliation she endured Juliana enthusiastically walks beside Liam, launching into a detailed explanation about the company
“Are you sure you don’t know him, Mia? Travis asked beside me as we followed Juliana and our client
“No.” I replied simply, shaking my head.
“But it seems like he knows you=”
“It seems like you have a lot of free time, Travis Won’t you be late for work? Gavin interjected, cutting him off.
Travis frowned but chose not to respond.
“Thank you for helping me, Travis,” I said, trying to ease the tension. I reached for the coffee cup holder, but he didn’t let go
hed to Cavin. “Il proceed with my work, Sir. Have a good day,” he said before
“It’s okay, Mia. 111 take this to the conference room. He then turned to walking briskly ahead.
“You pissed him off,” I said to Gavin, who simply laughed and casually draped an arm over my shoulder.
Leaning closer, he whispered. “He looks hotter when mad. Can’t blame my sister for forcing herself on him”
about to respond when Juliana’s voice suddenly stopped. Looking ahead, I saw Liam staring at us. He had stopped walking
His gaze lingered for a moment before he turned back to Juliana. “How about the CEO, Miss Winslow! Can you tell me something about him! He seems too busy to entertain a prospective client personally”
““Bastard” Gavin muttered under his breath before flashing a polite smile and walking away, leaving me standing there to finally entertain the prospective client
1/2
1112 AM d
Chapter 13
I clenched my fists as I stared at their backs, particularly at Liam Anderson
My jaw tightened as memories resurfaced, but I quickly adjusted my expression when I noticed the woman who had come with them glancing a me, her eyes full of curiosity
I sighed and grabbed my iPad to review
view Gavin’s schedule for the day. I hated it when things like this happened–now I had to adjust everything to accommodate the unexpected changes.
I was so focused on checking the schedule that I didn’t realize they were all standing in the elevator, staring at me.
“Won’t you come with us, Miss Winslow?”
Hforced a polite unile, though my insides trembled as I faced this mari.
“No, Sir. Ill take the other elevator—”
“Why?” he interrupted, his tone sharp. “Is this elevator incapable of handling our combined weight?” he glanced at Gavin. “If so, is this company even capable of managing the project I have in mind?”
“Mia come here.” Gavin called, his voice firm.
When I still didn’t move, he grabbed my hand and pulled me inside.
It’s suffocating. I remember how hard it was to step into an elevator for years. I used to suffer from claustrophobia, but I overcame it with Gavin’s help and my children’s support.
But now, smelling that familiar perfume, the suffocating feeling is back. My grip tightened on the iPad I was holding.
I knew I had to do everything in my power not to let my emotions control me.
Juliana continued talking to Liam Anderson, but I could feel his stare at me from the corner of my eye.
Still I pretended to focus on Gavin’s schedule, though I couldn’t understand anything I was reading
“Cancel
meeting with the marketing department, Mia, so you don’t have to adjust everything on my schedule, Gavin whispered, his lips almost brushing against my ear.
His hand squeezed my shoulder gently–it was his way of calming me down. It’s his way of telling me that it’s okay, that he’s here, and I’m not alone in this. He knew me too well not to miss how this affected me, no matter how hard I tried to act normal.
I was about to respond when the ringing tone
ne of my phone echoed in the elevator.
“Mommy, mommy, answer the phone!”
It was Hylie’s recorded voice for Anna’s contact.
E
