Chapter 9

Chapter 9

The morning felt different from any other before.

Faces were tense, feet moved quickly, and files were being checked for the last time before the important meeting.

Ethan wanted this day to be a model of discipline, but Olivia’s heart refused to cooperate with calm.

Everything about her was tight — her voice, her breath, even her glances that tried to hide the tension behind them.

She entered the spacious hall, holding the files carefully.

She expected the management to be present, but she didn’t expect to see Sophia — the girl who hadn’t left her mind since the day of Ethan’s supposed illness, the day she saw her leave his office with him.

Now, Sophia sat at the front of the table, overly elegant, her eyes shining with a superiority that was hard to ignore.

When her gaze met Olivia’s, a faint, cold smile appeared on her lips — like a silent reminder: “I’m not a stranger here.”

Minutes later, Ethan entered with steady steps and a firm voice, accompanied by Edward, who seemed calm and composed as usual.

Everyone stood respectfully, and Ethan gave a quick look around the room before saying in a tone that brooked no argument:

> “Let’s start. Time waits for no one.”

He sat down, and the meeting began immediately.

Olivia presented her report with controlled confidence, trying to hide the slight tremor in her voice.

The numbers were clear, the analysis precise — but suddenly, the screen froze on an incomplete chart.

The device flashed intermittently, cutting the flow of her presentation.

A short silence fell, broken by Sophia’s soft but arrogant tone:

> “Maybe the file’s incomplete. That happened to me during a practice session once, but I usually double-check files before a meeting.”

Her words hit like a dagger wrapped in courtesy.

Some eyes turned toward Olivia, but she kept her composure and replied tightly:

> “The file is complete. It seems the version on the server glitched. I’ll restart the presentation.”

But Ethan, without lifting his eyes from the papers, said sharply:

> “Excuses don’t change reality. You should’ve checked every detail. We don’t work by trial and error, Miss Olivia.”

The air grew heavier.

She stared at him, shocked by his harshness, while Edward tried to intervene quietly:

> “Actually, it’s a system glitch. I checked her version this morning—it worked fine.”

Ethan gave no response, only a brief gesture as if dismissing the matter.

Sophia smiled faintly, her tone dripping with false sweetness:

> “It’s fine. Experience comes with time. Enthusiasm is good, even if there’s a stumble first.”

Olivia felt her face flush, but she replied calmly, with hidden defiance:

> “Sometimes, the little details are discovered through real work, not theoretical comments.”

Sophia blinked, surprised, and silence fell again.

Finally, Ethan lifted his eyes toward Olivia, his tone cutting through the room:

> “Enough. This is not a place for arguments. After the meeting, you’ll stay with me to review the reports.”

His words silenced everyone.

Even Edward looked at Olivia with concern, silently urging her to hold herself together.

She finished her presentation with trembling hands, while Sophia took notes with smug calm.

When it ended, Ethan simply said:

> “Thank you, everyone. You may leave. Olivia, stay.”

Everyone filed out.

Edward lingered a moment, whispering gently to Olivia:

> “Don’t let it get to you. Everyone stumbles their first time.”

She gave him a grateful smile, but her heart was burning.

Sophia paused at the door, smirking softly:

> “Don’t worry. Ethan is strict, but he values effort. Maybe next time you’ll earn his approval.”

Then she left — leaving behind her perfume, and a silence that stung.

Olivia turned toward Ethan, who was scanning his papers without looking at her.

> “When I ask for a report, I expect precision, not excuses. You’re capable, but your carelessness makes others doubt it. Don’t repeat today’s mistake.”

> “Understood, sir.”

He nodded, signaling dismissal.

She walked out steadily — but once she was away, her breath broke, caught between anger, humiliation… and jealousy she couldn’t explain.

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Outside the meeting hall, the corridor felt colder than before.

Olivia’s heels clicked sharply against the marble floor, each step echoing her frustration.

Her hands were still trembling slightly, though she tried to hide it by clutching the edge of her folder.

The murmur of voices drifted from a nearby lounge — laughter, light and familiar.

Sophia’s voice was among them.

Olivia paused by the corner, unseen, hearing the woman’s amused tone float through the air.

> “He’s always like that in meetings — sharp, demanding. But it’s part of what makes him brilliant, don’t you think?”

Someone chuckled in response.

> “You seem to know him well.”

Sophia’s soft laugh followed, low and confident.

> “Let’s just say I understand his expectations. He doesn’t like… surprises.”

The implication stung more than the words.

Olivia felt her stomach twist, and she walked away quickly before she could hear more.

She headed straight to her office, shutting the door behind her. The quiet hit like a wave.

For a moment, she just stood there, staring at the reflection of her face in the glass wall — pale, tense, and far too uncertain.

She set the files on her desk and sank into the chair, burying her face in her hands.

The meeting replayed in her mind — Ethan’s cold tone, Sophia’s smug smile, Edward’s attempt to defend her.

It was all tangled inside her chest, making it hard to breathe.

A soft knock interrupted her thoughts.

> “Come in,” she said weakly.

Edward entered, holding two paper cups of coffee.

> “I figured you might need this.”

She looked up, surprised, then managed a faint smile.

> “You read my mind.”

He placed one cup in front of her.

> “Don’t let Ethan’s words bother you. He’s… intense with everyone, but especially with people he expects a lot from.”

Olivia hesitated.

> “So that’s supposed to make it better?”

Edward smiled kindly.

> “It’s supposed to remind you that he noticed your potential — otherwise, he wouldn’t waste his breath.”

Her eyes softened. She wanted to believe that.

Still, a shadow of doubt lingered.

> “And Sophia?” she asked quietly.

Edward sighed.

> “She thrives on competition. Don’t give her what she wants — your reaction.”

Olivia nodded slowly, gripping the warm cup.

> “I won’t.”

But as Edward left, her gaze drifted back to the closed door.

Her heart whispered what her mind refused to admit — that Ethan’s opinion mattered far more than it should.