The Meeting
680 Words
As Claire arrived at her office, her secretary, Anna, handed her a takeaway cup and a small bag. “You didn’t eat breakfast, did you?” Anna asked, her voice filled with concern.
Claire smiled faintly and accepted the breakfast, though her appetite was nonexistent. While she tried to nibble on a piece of toast, Anna updated her on the day’s schedule. "We need to be at Crowdstar Group by 9:00 a.m. to start the project preparations."
Claire nodded, her mind already churning with thoughts of the upcoming meeting. The project was a major opportunity, not just for the Anderson Group but for her personally. She needed to prove she could handle this, especially with Samantha hovering, always ready to take credit.
As they left the office, Anna insisted on driving. Claire was grateful for the small gesture of support, leaning back in the seat as they headed to Crowdstar Group. When they arrived, Claire’s stomach churned, not from hunger but from the stress of what was waiting inside. Samantha and her secretary, Karen, were already there, standing in the company’s sleek, modern lobby.
Karen, who was known for her sharp tongue, shot Claire a cutting look the moment they approached. "How lucky for you, Claire," Karen sneered. "You already have a fiancé, but you still want Jake too? Using this project to get close to him, are we?"
Anna bristled, ready to snap back, but Claire gently placed a hand on her arm. "Don’t," Claire muttered, glaring at both Karen and Samantha. She wouldn’t rise to the bait—not today.
Before anything more could be said, Jake William’s secretary, Mark, appeared. He greeted the Anderson Group warmly, and Karen noticed he was especially polite toward Claire. Karen's face darkened with irritation, clearly annoyed by the attention Claire was receiving.
Samantha strutted ahead like she owned the place, her confidence never faltering. The rest of the group followed her into the elevator, riding up in tense silence until they reached the boardroom.
Inside the boardroom sat Jake William, the heir of the Crowdstar Group and its future CEO. He had built a successful company abroad, a tech empire that had quickly become one of the best-known names in the industry. Now, as his father’s only son, he had returned to manage the family’s company, the prestigious Crowdstar Group.
Jake was a formidable presence in the room—tall, commanding, with an air of authority that filled the space. His dark eyes flicked toward the Anderson Group as they entered, but his expression remained unreadable.
Before Claire could speak, Samantha stepped forward, eager to assert herself. "I’m in charge of the project," she announced, flashing Jake a smile that dripped with self-assurance.
Jake didn’t even glance at her. Instead, he reached for the project proposal that had been submitted and flipped it open. His eyes scanned the document briefly before he looked up, his gaze landing squarely on Claire. "It says here that Claire Anderson was the one who handled the Blue Street project bidding. I believe it would be best if she explained the details to everyone."
His tone was cold but professional, and he addressed her with an air of polite detachment. "Miss Anderson," he added, referring to Samantha with a slight nod, making it clear who was really in charge of the project.
Samantha, ever quick to twist situations to her benefit, immediately misunderstood. She interpreted Jake’s actions as a subtle attempt to help her, assuming he didn’t want to tire her with technical explanations she might not fully grasp. Her eyes sparkled with self-satisfaction, completely unaware that she had just been sidelined.
Claire, on the other hand, steeled herself. This was her moment. She had worked hard on this project. Having many sleepless nights, drafting and adjusting the blue prints so as to bid for the project. Her fiancé had discouraged her many times saying it was not one she could get her hands on.Now her fiancé Erick and Samantha were pressuring her to give it up, she wasn’t going to back down. Not this time.
- Writer
