Jane's POV
I walked back to the parking lot and Robert’s eyes locked onto me.
For the first time in our entire working relationship, I saw something flicker in his gaze—appraisal, maybe even approval—but then it was gone, replaced by his usual contempt.
He looked me up and down once more, his expression bordering on disapproval.
“You look less than a clown,” he muttered, making me flinch. “We’re going to meet dignitaries, and they’ll want to ask you questions about the business sector. Don’t embarrass me with your stupidity, Jane. If you do, I’ll make sure I lock you up for the rest of your miserable life. Understand?”
We got to the venue and immediately I stepped inside the hall, my stomach churned with excitement and dread.
The gala was a billionaire’s affair—dignitaries, investors, and tech moguls mingling, all with one goal: to secure lucrative deals and expand their empires.
It should have been my moment—my opportunity to shine.
My company, Thorne Tech, was supposed to be at this event, showcasing our cutting-edge innovations.
But Kelvin and Daphne had crushed that dream beneath their heels, and now, here I was, reduced to a mere assistant at Robert’s side.
I took a deep breath, trying to focus on the present. And then I heard it—Robert's voice, booming across the room as he introduced someone.
“A foreign investor, Mr. Gianni Berardi,” Robert said, and I couldn’t help but listen as his deep voice sliced through the air. He was shaking hands with a tall man, his accent thick and his English faltering.
"Mr. Berardi is here to discuss a potential collaboration with Smith Group," Robert continued, his tone almost too rehearsed. I could see the slight discomfort in his posture, the tight smile on his face as he fumbled with the words.
I couldn’t help but smirk inwardly. Robert, always so sure of himself, was clearly struggling to communicate with this Italian investor.
The language barrier between them was painfully obvious. Robert’s attempts to engage in conversation were met with confusion, and the silence between them grew awkward by the second.
I stood off to the side, my arms folded across my chest, enjoying the scene unfold before me.
Robert, the ever-confident billionaire, was stumbling over his words, and it was a sight I couldn't tear my eyes from. For once, the man who thought he was untouchable was struggling.
But I didn’t speak. I let him flounder. He had always made me feel small, belittling me at every turn, making me doubt my worth.
It felt good to watch him squirm for once, knowing that he couldn’t control the situation.
Then, as if the universe had a wicked sense of timing, Robert snapped his fingers, suddenly remembering something.
"Wait—Jane!" he barked, his voice sharp. "You speak multiple languages, don’t you?" His gaze locked onto me. "Mr. Berardi is a potential client, and he's been asking about our latest products. He wants us to blow his mind with something new—something that's never been seen or heard before."
I blinked, surprised by the sudden turn of events. I had no idea what Robert had in mind, but I knew one thing—I couldn’t let this opportunity slip through my fingers. Not when my future could be at stake.
He continued, his voice low, "You’ve been sitting here listening. Why don’t you handle it? You’ve been in meetings about this product, tell him everything about the new product we are working on”
For a split second, I hesitated. My mind raced. This was my chance—my chance to show Robert what I was truly capable of.
But on the other hand, If I could win over this investor, if I could pitch something incredible, it would be my way back to the top.
I didn’t need Robert’s approval anymore—I just needed one break, one person to believe in me.
I took a deep breath and smiled. "Of course, Mr. Smith. I’ll handle it."
Robert didn’t seem to care much about my confidence. In fact, he was already distracted by something else, and as he turned away, he whispered in my ear,
"Don’t mess this up, Jane. If you screw this up, I’ll make sure you regret it."
