Six Years Later, He's My Boss

Chapter 17

Chapter 17

Thomas blinked, not sure that he had heard Klaus well. "I'm sorry?"

"You said the market projections were overly optimistic, it seems that you do not have confidence in what she said, which is totally understandable, after all, you like to see where your money is going to. I'd like to know which specific data points you're questioning. Is it the customer acquisition forecasts that you are talking about? The retention rates? The market penetration timeline?" Klaus's voice remained perfectly pleasant, but his eyes had gone cold, like he was daring Klaus to step out of line even more.

"Because I personally developed those projections with my analytics team, based on eighteen months of research and pilot program results. So if you have legitimate concerns about the methodology, I'd very much like to hear them."

Thomas's mouth opened and closed, seeing that he had put himself in a corner, with no way of coming out of it. "I—that is—"

"Or perhaps you're basing your criticism on something other than the actual data?" Klaus continued speaking, clearly not listening to his explanations as he carried on.

"Personal feelings, maybe? Previous relationships that might be clouding your judgment?"

The temperature in the room dropped ten degrees. The other investors looked between Klaus and Thomas with dawning understanding and discomfort. They do not know what particularly happened but they were painting the picture that Thomas had tried to ask Amberlyn out, but she had turned him down, so he was taking it out on her, trying to make her look like she wasn't suitable here.

"Now see here," Thomas started, his face reddening.

"No, you see here," Klaus interrupted, his voice sharp as he spoke.

"This is a professional meeting about a serious business investment. If you want to participate, you'll conduct yourself professionally. If you're simply here to settle personal scores, there's the door."

Veronica put a hand on Thomas's arm, but he shook her off roughly, as he was too agitated to calm down now.

"You have no idea who you're dealing with," he snarled. "The Blackwood family has connections throughout this city. If you think you can speak to me like this without consequences—"

"I think I can speak truth without caring about consequences," Klaus replied coolly. "But if threats are all you have to offer instead of legitimate business concerns, then perhaps this isn't the right investment opportunity for you."

The silver-haired man—Mr. Ashford—cleared his throat.

"Thomas, perhaps we should discuss this separately. I found Ms. Moreau's presentation quite thorough, and I'd hate to see personal matters interfere with what appears to be a sound investment opportunity."

Thomas looked around the table and saw he was alone. Even Veronica had gone quiet, clearly realizing that this was a battle they couldn't win.

"Fine," he bit out. "We'll discuss it separately. But don't expect Blackwood Capital to participate in this round." He grabbed his briefcase and stalked toward the door, Veronica hurrying after him.

He paused at the threshold, looking back at Ambelyn with pure venom.

"This isn't over," he said quietly. "Not by a long shot."

Then he was gone, the door closing behind him with excessive force.

The remaining investors looked uncomfortable but intrigued. Mr. Ashford spoke first.

"Well. That was entertaining. Mr. Thorne, I appreciate a man who stands by his people. And Ms. Moreau—truly excellent work. You handled some difficult questions with grace and intelligence."

The others murmured agreement. One by one, they expressed interest in moving forward with the investment discussions, pending their legal teams' review of the detailed contracts.

By the time the meeting concluded, Klaus had secured verbal commitments from five of the six investors—everyone except Thomas.

As the room emptied, Ambelyn stood by the podium, her legs suddenly feeling weak. The adrenaline that had carried her through the presentation was fading, leaving exhaustion and confusion in its wake.

Klaus approached slowly, stopping a careful distance away, as if he was worried that getting too close to her would make her feel uncomfortable, or just trying to make sure that she knew this was not a favour he di because he knew her.

"You did well," he said quietly. "Better than well. That was exceptional work, especially given your preparation time."

"You knew," Ambelyn said, her voice barely audible as she looked up at him.

"You knew Thomas would be here."

"I knew Blackwood Capital was one of the potential investors, yes. I didn't know you were connected to them until he revealed it just now." Klaus met her eyes steadily. "Would it have changed anything if I'd told you?"

"I would have been more prepared for—" She gestured vaguely at the door. "For that."

"You handled it perfectly." Klaus paused looking her over before he continued speaking.

"The job is yours, if you want it. Seventy-five thousand annual salary, full benefits including health insurance, and a signing bonus to cover your first two months' expenses while you get settled. You'd start Monday."

Ambelyn's breath caught. Seventy-five thousand. With benefits. It was more than she'd dared hope for, more than she'd thought possible.

"Why?" she asked. "Why did you give me this chance?"

Klaus was quiet for a long moment. "Because six years ago, you were brilliant. You could synthesize complex information faster than anyone I'd ever met. You could see patterns others missed. You could articulate ideas with clarity and precision." He paused. "I wanted to see if that was still true. It is."

"This has nothing to do with—with what happened between us back then?"

"This has everything to do with your professional capabilities and nothing to do with our personal history," Klaus said firmly.

"I won't lie and say I haven't thought about what happened. But I'm offering you this job because you've proven you can handle it. Not because I'm trying to recapture something from the past."

It should have been reassuring. It should have felt like validation. But somehow, his words made Ambelyn's chest ache with something she refused to name.

"I accept," she said. "The job. I accept."

Klaus nodded once. "Welcome to Thorne Industries, Ms. Moreau. I'll have HR send over the employment paperwork this afternoon. Any questions?"

A thousand questions crowded her mind. But she pushed them aside and shook her head. "No questions. Thank you, Mr. Thorne."

"Klaus," he corrected. "When it's just us, you can call me Klaus."

"Klaus," she repeated, testing the name on her tongue. It felt dangerous. Intimate. "Thank you, Klaus."

His expression flickered with something she couldn't read. Then he turned and headed for the door.

"Monday morning. Eight AM. Don't be late."

"I won't be," Ambelyn promised.

After he left, she stood alone in the conference room, staring at the presentation screen that still showed her final slide. She'd done it.

Against all odds, despite Thomas's sabotage, she'd secured a job that would support her and Iniko. She'd proven herself in front of investors and critics alike.

She'd also just agreed to work closely with the one man who'd ever made her lose control completely.

This was either the best decision she'd ever made or the biggest mistake of her life.

Only time would tell which.