After the Fall A Leap into a Stranger's Arms novel Chapter 31

The James Group’s press conference was almost here.

That morning, upstairs at The Blair Estate, Shirley was putting the final touches on her look. She wore a crisp white suit with a fitted skirt, pearl studs glinting at her ears, every detail screaming confidence and capability.

In the mirror, her eyes were sharp and determined. This was her moment, the one she’d been building toward as the chief engineer for Resonance AI. Nothing was going to stop her.

“Catherine, after today, I’ll be someplace you could never reach,” she whispered to her reflection, a smug smile curling her lips.

The nine o’clock event was packed. Industry big shots, major investors, and a crush of reporters filled the venue, the air buzzing with anticipation. Backstage, Shirley checked her presentation one last time. Waldo swept in, his suit perfectly tailored, his energy electric.

He stepped up and smoothed Shirley’s collar. “You look amazing. Nervous?”

Shirley flashed a self-assured smile. “No reason to be. I built this system myself. I know it inside and out.”

Waldo nodded, clearly pleased. He was already picturing The James Group’s stock price shooting up after the launch—thirty percent, at least.

“Waldo, do you realize what it means for me to hand Resonance AI over to you?” Shirley asked, her voice softer, almost intimate.

Waldo just smiled, not giving anything away.

Shirley leaned closer, her words for his ears only. “I did it for you.”

His gaze grew deeper, but he still didn’t say a word.

Just then, his assistant slipped in and murmured, “Waldo, Nexus Dynamics just arrived.”

Waldo straightened his jacket and gave Shirley a quick pat. “I can’t wait to see you shine.”

He left the room, but as soon as he spotted the Nexus Dynamics team, his mood darkened. Leading the group was Magee, their VP, but right beside him stood someone Waldo really didn’t want to see—Lawrence.

Lawrence looked nothing like the scruffy engineer Waldo remembered. He wore a sharp dark gray suit, his posture composed, his presence impossible to ignore. Even standing next to Magee, a man in his fifties, Lawrence seemed to command the space.

Seriously? Since when did a regular engineer get this much attention? Waldo scoffed and walked over. “Magee, it’s been too long. Welcome.”

Magee greeted him with a smile, while Lawrence stepped back, making it clear Magee was the one in charge.

After a round of polite greetings, Waldo shot Lawrence a dismissive look, raising his voice enough for others to notice. “Magee, this event is pretty confidential. Are you sure it’s appropriate to bring along a regular engineer?”

Magee paused, then smiled. “Waldo, you don’t have to worry. Lawrence is our technical consultant. His input on Resonance AI is essential.”

Waldo’s lips twitched. Consultant or not, he was still just an employee. Waldo’s own net worth was about to triple—soon he’d be out of Nexus Dynamics’ league entirely.

Fine, let Lawrence watch. He could see The James Group’s brilliance up close.

Lawrence just glanced at his watch. “Did you need something?”

Shirley narrowed her eyes. Her team could use someone like him. If she brought him in, they’d be seeing a lot more of each other.

“How about joining my team?” she offered.

“Not interested,” Lawrence replied, flat and final.

Shirley stepped a little closer, sizing him up. Up close, he was even taller and more handsome, easily over six foot three.

“I can give you a much better deal than Nexus Dynamics. And…” She let the words hang, her gaze lingering. “Since you’re Catherine’s husband, I could offer you some extra perks.”

Lawrence stepped back, putting more space between them. “Shirley, you need to have some self-respect.”

Shirley laughed. “What, are you worried Catherine will find out? Honestly, what’s so special about her? With me, you’d have so much more.”

Lawrence’s eyes went cold. “My wife isn’t yours to judge.”

Shirley pouted, then smiled. “I’m sure we’ll see each other again.”