Adhoora Ishq - Office Rivals to Lovers

Chapter 18 - Zara Ki Dhamki

Chapter 18: The CEO Defends Me In Meeting

The conference room was full. 20 people. Clients, managers, and Zara.

My hands were shaking. This was my first big presentation as Head of PR for Khan Enterprises.

"Good morning everyone," I started. "Today I will present our new campaign for -"

"Stop."

Zara cut me in the middle. She stood up with a fake smile.

"Sir, I have to say something," Zara said, looking at the door. "This presentation is copied. Amna took it from Google."

My heart stopped.

Everyone turned to look at me. The client frowned. My manager looked down.

"N-no," I stammered. "I worked on this for 3 nights, sir -"

"3 nights to copy?" Zara laughed. "Sir, this girl is trying to ruin our company's name."

Tears came to my eyes. I wanted to run out.

Just then the door opened.

Arham Khan walked in.

The whole room went silent.

He was wearing a black suit. Cold face. CEO energy.

"What is going on here?" Arham asked. His voice was low but everyone heard it.

"Sir," Zara rushed to him. "This new PR head copied the presentation. We can't trust her with the client."

Arham did not look at Zara. He looked at me.

"Amna," he said. "Is this true?"

I shook my head. "No sir. I swear. I made every slide myself. I have the drafts on my laptop."

Arham walked to the projector. He scrolled through my slides.

One minute. Two minutes.

The silence was killing me.

Finally he closed the laptop.

"Zara," Arham said. "Where is your proof?"

Zara's smile fell. "I... I just know sir. She is from a poor family. She can do anything for money."

"So now being poor is a crime?" Arham's voice became sharp.

My eyes filled with tears again.

Arham turned to the client. "I apologize. My team will send you the final report by evening. And let me be clear. This presentation was made by Amna Ali. She is one of the hardest working people in this company."

The client nodded. Meeting ended.

Everyone left. Only Arham and I were left in the room.

I started packing my things fast. I did not want to cry in front of him.

"Stop," Arham said.

I froze.

"Look at me," he ordered.

I slowly looked up.

"Why didn't you quit?" he asked. "After what Zara said. Why are you still here?"

I wiped my tears. "Because... because I love this job, sir. My father drives a rickshaw. This job is everything for my family. I won't let anyone take it from me."

For the first time, Arham's cold face softened. Just a little.

"Good," he said. "From tomorrow, you will also handle my personal PR. All my meetings, all my press. You report to me directly now."

I was shocked. "S-sir? Promotion?"

"Consider it a reward for not quitting," Arham said and walked out.

My legs were shaking. I got a promotion. From the CEO himself.

That night I was going home in a cab. I was still smiling.

Then my phone beeped.

Unknown number: "You think you won? You stole my fiancé and now my job. Watch what I do to your rickshaw driver father. I will destroy your whole family, Amna."

My phone fell from my hand.

Zara.

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Author Note: What will Amna do now? Will she tell Arham? Comment below!

CEO, Office Romance, Billionaire, Pakistani Novel, Urdu Novel, Arham Khan, Amna, Revenge, Drama, Zara, Rude CEO, Love Triangle, Promotion, Workplace Romance