New beginning: Billionaire love story (Claire and Alex) novel Chapter 404

Frank’s smile was frozen, his cheeks starting to turn a blotchy red as the journalists bombarded him with questions about the spectacularly malfunctioning robot still smoking onstage.

“Mr. Potter any comment on the robot malfunction? Did you expect this to happen?” one of the journalists asked him.

This wasn't how his grand showcase was supposed to go. He was supposed to be basking in applause, not dodging questions about his failed invention. He was already planning how to chew out his tech team once he got backstage, but he forced a tight smile for now.

Robert, seeing Frank’s expression turning darker by the second, stepped up. “Look, minor issues, that’s all it is. Everything is fine now. Technical hiccups happen, and we're already handling it.”

But the journalists were relentless.

One reporter raised his hand, his face a mask of barely disguised amusement. “If I may ask, with Metacortex still being the leading competitor, do you really think Venus AMD’s robot has a chance? Seems like Metacortex is still... well, ahead.”

Frank’s jaw clenched. “Absolutely,” he said with forced composure. “We are confident Venus AMD will outperform Metacortex. They make mere helper robots. Ours is capable of real work.”

Then came another question he was dreading. “Mr. Potter, any thoughts on Claire Peterson coming to Venus AMD’s rescue? It looked like your team couldn’t handle it.”

Frank’s smile grew tighter. “Competitors help each other, even if it's rare. But Venus AMD didn’t need saving,” he said curtly, before practically stalking off the stage. Robert waved off the press as security moved in to redirect the journalists.

As soon as they hit backstage, Frank whipped around, his face a thundercloud. The tech team flinched as he pointed an accusatory finger at them.

“What on earth was that?” he bellowed. “Did I not tell you to make sure everything worked perfectly? How is it Claire Peterson who had to come to my aid instead of one of you? Do you people even understand technology? If don’t what am I paying you all for?” he said with much anger and his tone made some of them jump in shock.

The tech employees all looked at the floor, eyes darting anywhere but at Frank. Some flinched at the intensity of his tone, and one tech lead stepped forward nervously. “We are sorry, sir. We didn’t think that would happen. There were... two components missing, Mr. Potter. We needed them for the robot to function smoothly, but Venus AMD doesn’t currently have access to those parts.”

“Then why didn't you make them?” Frank’s voice was scathing, his frustration barely contained. “How hard can it be?”

A few tech employees exchanged nervous glances, but the tech lead just nodded, gulping as he tried to explain further. “We were…well, the missing components would take time to manufacture or acquire. We did our best with what we had, but—”

“But nothing! I pay you all to work, not to make excuses. You’re useless! All of you!” Frank’s face was a picture of fury. “Every one of you is fired!”

Robert, who had been hovering at the side, looked at Frank with wide eyes. “Frank, we still need the team! Firing them over one malfunction doesn’t make sense.”

Frank turned on him, his gaze icy. “I am the boss here, Robert. I decide who stays and who leaves. And they,” he gestured dismissively at the tech team, “are out.”

The employees shuffled, some exchanging disbelieving looks, but one of them, a junior engineer who had been biting his lip through Frank’s entire tirade, finally stepped forward, looking more frustrated than afraid. He was small, but his voice rang out with surprising force.