Fated To Three, Betrayed By All… Until She Rose. - Chapter 85

85: The lady in charge.

Leilani.

“Take charge.” That was the last thing Jarek whispered into my ear before he stepped away from me to pull out the large chair at the head of the table.

And at first, I thought he was pulling it out to sit, but was caught off guard when his hand clamped around my wrist, stopping me mid stride.

He drawled; “You’re to sit here.

You’re in charge of this meeting.” And as soon as he said that, a deafening silence settled in the air.

I gulped, not missing the small smile he beamed at me or the way his fingers squeezed mine affectionately.

I couldn’t help it, I smiled back and sat, whilst ignoring the scrutinizing glares from these people from my past.

I greeted.

“Good morning ladies and gentlemen.

I am Leilani Sinclair.

The leading engineer in charge of everything relating to CUSP, and I was told by my boss here that you’ve set your sights on its technology, so I’d like to know what exactly you want us to do for you.” My words rang in the air, and despite my fraying nerves, I sounded bold.

Confident.

Cold.

And that was exactly how I felt as well.

My eyes glided around the faces of those present, not missing the uncomfortable looks on their faces.

Gavin for one couldn’t look at me and I was sure as hell that it had everything to do with his mate whom he had found in my house yesterday.

My parents, well, looked like my parents with their never ending scowls.

And while Chalice’s face had turned into a bright shade of red, the two men whom she sat between- Kael and Caelum, couldn’t bring themselves to look at me.

-And that, I was sure, was because of what they did to me the last time we met.

Zevran was no better.

And yes, I may be grateful for what he did for me all those nights ago, it still doesn’t change the fact that he was still one of them.

That’s he’s hurt me just as much as they had.

I sighed in irritation; “Why isn’t anyone saying anything?

Do you no longer want to collaborate with us on our ongoing project, CUSP?

Jarek chuckled but still, no one spoke.

The silence that settled between us was damning.

The tension in the air was just as palpable, but it was suddenly interrupted by Zevran’s deep voice. He drawled; “We want to.

We just didn’t think that-” “I’ll be the one you’ll be negotiating with?” I spat, not missing the way his face flushed before he turned away.

“Yes.” “So you were intending to get your hands on my ongoing project, but you didn’t want to have to deal with me?” I sassed, smiling in satisfaction when everyone looked away.

And that precisely was my plan: to frustrate them until they gave up on their dreams of working with us.

To rile them up until they said something damning… something I could use against them.

And I already have a ton of things I could use in making them crash and burn.

I just needed more.

Caelum chirped in; “We know you’re the leading engineer in charge of this project.

But this matter should be discussed between us and the management.

Not with you.” ‘Not with you’ He’d said, but I didn’t miss the mocking tone to his voice nor the way my parents and Chalice nodded in agreement.

Fools… the lot of them.

Their smug faces grated on something I preferred buried.

It made me irritated and annoyed at the same time.

But shrugging it off, I turned to Jarek and whispered; “You mean, Alpha Frostclaw?” Chalice was quick to respond.

She spat; “Yes!” But that only made me chuckle.

I nodded in understanding- not really- and then signaled to Jarek as I spoke; “He’s here.

You can direct all of your questions to him.” But as soon as I said that, Jay’s eyes flashed with something unrecognizable as he glared at me, then with a curt bow, he drawled; “I don’t think that’s necessary Ms Sinclair.

You’re in charge of every damn thing about CUSP, including its funding.

It’s your project not mine.

So it’s only normal that you scrutinize our prospective clients yourself.

I am only here to help you push it forward because you’re registered under my company name.” The room felt like Jay had just dropped a bomb; because as soon as the rest heard that, they froze.

It wasn’t until then that something akin to regret flashed in Caelum’s eyes.

Kael looked constipated… and Chalice.

Let’s just say that her innocent facade could no longer hold up at the moment.

She growled; “Leilani owns everything?!

That’s impossible!” “I’d advise you to speak responsibly as I have the power to throw you out of this room this instant.” I seethed, causing her eyes to widen.

She pointed at me with trembling fingers, her face now as red as a tomato as she spat; “You-” But before she could finish, Kael grabbed her hand and hissed; “Calm the fuck down!” If she was embarrassed before, then now, she was absolutely mortified.

Her lashes trembled.

Caelum, her usual puppet, wouldn’t even look at her, and for the first time in my life, father looked as though he was embarrassed by her.

I cut in; “Now, I know why the Stormborns are here.

They want to partner with us on our ongoing project, CUSP.

However, I have no idea why the Blackthornes are here.

Do you also want to partner?…” my voice trailed off and I gasped as a small smile spread across my face, “…oh sorry, your company isn’t listed amongst those who can partner with us at the moment… So do you wish to buy shares instead?” Father and Gavin almost imploded with anger when I said those words.

Their faces were so red, I could literally add them to my canvas back at home.

And while, father’s hand was fisted on the table- probably due to rage, he did well to conceal his anger when he spoke.

He replied calmly; “No.

But your sister wants to work with this prestigious company on the development of CUSP.

You see, she’s a very good software developer who has always wanted to learn about its core features and understand the technology behind its engineering.

I hope you understand?” “I understand.” I drawled softly, but then turning to Chalice whose face was still a bright shade of pink, I added; “She has been accessed by us after submitting her CV the last time, so I am clear- and without any bias when I say this: she’s not fit to work with our team.” Her jaws dropped.

She gasped; “No, that’s not true!” “Strength wise, she’s weak.

And when it comes to character, she tends to always talk back at her superiors.

She doesn’t take corrections and doesn’t show a positive attitude toward work.” “But you don’t know that!” She screamed, the veins by the sides of her neck popping perilously.

I sighed.

“I may not know that… but you just proved me right.” That had her snapping her mouth shut.

Even father looked like he was about to disintegrate into thin air, his eyes turning into fierce slits as he glared at me.

Surprisingly, Gavin said nothing.

I turned away from them to face the triplets.

And then I added; “And to you, Alphas, I am sorry but I do not wish to collaborate with you.

So this is not going to work.

Thank you.” CREATORS’ THOUGHTS Ahvahh_ Have some idea about my story?

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