After the Fall A Leap into a Stranger's Arms novel Chapter 275

The conference wrapped up right on schedule at eleven-thirty, the last few industry heavyweights giving their speeches before everyone filed out. By the time the doors opened, news that Lawrence was actually the CEO of Nexus Dynamics—and his killer speech—had already exploded across the globe. Every major news outlet had him on their front page.

Outside in the plaza, Catherine linked her arm through Lawrence’s and led him over to greet her dad. Nestor’s eyes were a little watery, and honestly, he looked stunned. It was like he still couldn’t process that Lawrence, the guy he thought he knew, was actually the head of Nexus Dynamics. The contrast was just too much.

“Lawrence! Are you really the CEO of Nexus Dynamics?” Nestor had to ask himself, like hearing it out loud would make it real.

Nicol, standing close by, grinned. “It’s true, Nestor. Lawrence started Nexus Dynamics himself eight years ago.”

Catherine blinked, feeling a little slow on the uptake. She’d always thought Nicol was just Lawrence’s buddy, but now she realized he was also Lawrence’s right-hand man. No wonder Lawrence always seemed a little more in charge, even though he was only a few months older than Nicol. There was a whole other layer to their relationship she hadn’t seen before.

Nestor, looking overwhelmed, started to reach out for a handshake, then hesitated and dropped his hand, suddenly unsure what to do or say.

“Dad, come on. No matter who he is, he’s still your son-in-law. That’s never going to change,” Catherine said, smiling at him.

Nestor’s eyes turned redder, and he nodded over and over. “You’re right, Catherine… I’m really proud of you both. In the past, I—”

Lawrence cut him off gently. “Dad, let’s leave the past where it is. We’re family now.”

Those words seemed to loosen something in Nestor’s chest. The distance he’d felt just melted away. He choked up and said, “Yes. Yes, you’re right. We’re family.”

A little ways off, Waldo and Shirley stood watching. Shirley felt bad, but she knew Waldo had to feel even worse. Lawrence had gone from a nobody to the boss of Nexus Dynamics overnight, and the shock of it hit Waldo hard. It was brutal, honestly, like a slap he’d never recover from.

“Hey! I’m still in the car, you know. Haven’t I had enough of your lovey-dovey stuff today?” Nicol called out from the driver’s seat, feigning annoyance.

“Go find your own girlfriend,” Lawrence shot back, keeping Catherine tucked close.

Nicol rolled his eyes. “Easy for you to say. I’m way too busy with work for that.”

Then he turned to Catherine with a teasing smile. “Catherine, think you could set me up with someone?”

Catherine caught the hint right away. “Sure. I’ll introduce you to my best friend.”