Craving My Ruthless Ceo novel Chapter 152

Chapter 152

Anna’s POV

Maison straightened in his chair. “Language, Laurent.”

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“Dad, I just got an email about moving up the entire launch timeline. Multiple emails, actually. This is the first I’m hearing of any of this. Why wasn’t I informed?”

I sank back into my seat, making myself smaller.

“We are informing you now,” Maison said calmly, gesturing to an empty chair. “This meeting is to keep you updated.”

“Updated?” Laurent remained standing, his hands braced on the back of a chair. “I’m the CFO of this partnership. Every major decision is supposed to go through me for financial approval. That was the agreement.”

Roman set down his coffee cup. “The timeline change was your father’s decision based on an opportunity that arose. We’re here to discuss implementation, not debate whether it’s happening.”

Laurent’s jaw tightened. “After the weekend I had, I wasn’t able to check my phone until this morning. Imagine my surprise.”

The weekend. Heat crept up my neck as the memory crashed over me. Our dinner date that Roman crashed, practically dragging me out.

I pushed the memory away, focusing on my tablet.

“If you were too busy to check your email, that’s not my concern,” Roman said as he leaned back. “We’re moving forward. You can either get on board or get out of the way.”

“Roman.” Maison’s voice held reproach before he turned to his son. “Laurent, please. Sit. Let me explain.”

Laurent’s eyes remained locked with Roman’s, animosity brewing between them. Then his gaze shifted to me, surprise flashing across his face at seeing me there, followed by a hint of concern.

Finally, he sat, but his posture remained rigid. “I’m listening.”

Maison leaned back. “We’re hosting a gala in seven days. High profile investors, international press, elite clientele. I want a runway presentation as a pre launch for the Maison Beaumont campaign. Get people excited before the official release.”

“A runway show in seven days,” Laurent said flatly. “Papa, that’s not…”

“The opportunity is too significant to pass up,” Maison interrupted. “The guest list alone represents exactly the demographic we’re targeting. Roman and I have discussed it. I’m here to ensure you’re informed and to address concerns about logistics and budget.”

Laurent’s hands clenched on the table. “You discussed it with Blackwood before your own son? Before the person responsible for the financial viability of this partnership?”

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Chapter 152

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“I discussed it with the CEO of the company we hired,” Maison corrected firmly. “This is business, Laurent, nothing personal.”

“It certainly feels personal.” Laurent’s eyes cut to Roman. “Especially after…

“Laurent,” Maison warned.

The tension stretched.

Roman’s expression didn’t change. “Shall we move on to the actual business? Unless you’d prefer to continue this argument.”

I saw Laurent’s nostrils flare as he fought to hold himself back. When he spoke again, his voice was calmer.

“Fine. What’s the plan?”

Maison glanced at me, then back to Laurent. “Anna just walked us through the strategy before you arrived. If you want clarification, she can present the summary now.”

Laurent looked at me, his expression softening slightly. “I trust her work. We can schedule a later meeting where she can walk me through the details properly. There’s no need to delay this one.”

Roman’s posture changed immediately. “Anna can present everything now since everyone is already here.”

His tone left no room for argument, but the jealousy behind it was hard to miss.

Maison sensed it too. He rose from his seat, smoothing his jacket.

“Actually, I have another meeting to attend. I trust you, gentlemen, to handle the rest.”

His finger moved across the room, briefly pointing at each of them. “No mistakes,” he warned. “I expect perfection.”

He turned back to me. “Anna, excellent work today. The presentation was outstanding.”

I smiled. “Thank you, Mr. Beaumont.”

As Maison extended his hand to Roman, they shook firmly. Maison gestured toward the corner of the boardroom.

“Roman, a word?”

Roman was reluctant, his eyes shifting between Laurent and me with an intensity that made my skin prickle.

Then he followed Maison to the far corner of the room, their voices dropping to low murmurs.

The moment they moved away, Laurent rose from his seat and walked toward me.

I remained seated in my chair, suddenly very aware of how isolated we were on this side of the massive conference table.

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Chapter 152

Laurent perched on the edge of the table directly in front of me, locking me in.

“That was embarrassing.”

I blinked, confused. “What was?”

He ran a hand through his perfectly styled hair, mussing it slightly.

“Earlier. How I stormed into the meeting.”

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He let out a self deprecating laugh. “I’m not usually this uncoordinated. But I hate being blindsided.”

Despite everything, I felt compelled to defend Roman. “I don’t think that was the intention of your father or Roman. Everything happened so fast over the weekend.”

“And you would know this,” Laurent said, his face hardening in anger, “because you spent the weekend at his home.”

The implication in his tone made me tense. I sat up straighter in my chair.

“Excuse me?”

Laurent immediately held up his hands. “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to assume. It’s just…” He broke off, frustration evident in his expression. “I hate how much control he wields over you.”

“Control?” I repeated carefully.

“Yes.” Laurent’s voice grew heated.

“Crashing our dinner date at the restaurant. Dragging you out like he owned you.”

He stood abruptly, pacing a few steps away before turning back.

“God, it makes me so mad. The way he just… the way he treats you like you’re his property.”

I should have agreed with him. I should have let Laurent think whatever he wanted about Roman.

But I couldn’t help myself.

“You’re right,” I admitted quietly. “Roman is controlling. But he’s my boss, Laurent. And so far, he’s meant no harm.”

Laurent frowned. “I think he did mean harm.”

He rubbed his temples, his voice dropping.

“He wanted to disgrace me. Make me look like an idiot. I sat there after you both left, and…” He met my eyes. “I’ve never been so embarrassed in my life.”

Guilt washed over me. Laurent was right. Roman’s controlling ways had humiliated him. The thought of Laurent sitting alone in that restaurant, abandoned mid meal, made me feel terrible.

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Chapter 152

“Laurent, I’m sorry that happened.” I brushed his arm. “I didn’t mean for…”

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“I know it’s not your fault.” He cut me off, his eyes moving past me to where Roman stood with his father. The anger there was clear. “Blackwood is to blame.”

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