Dumped Then Claimed By A Billionaire (Nerissa and Owen) novel Chapter 32

Chapter 32 The Tables Turn

Owen nodded. “I know.”

He wasn’t going to forgive Nerissa easily, and he definitely wasn’t going to rush to open the door for her either.

Who does Nerissa think she is? he thought. She shows up and I’m supposed to drop everything? Wasn’t she the one who deleted and blocked Yale? If she’s so capable, she should never come crawling back to me

The thought of Nerissa standing outside, desperately begging him to open the door, brought a smug smile to Owen’s face.

The knocking continued, and when Owen still didn’t move, Yale couldn’t help but speak up. ‘Owen, she’s been knocking forever. Just open the door already. If you don’t, Nerissa might actually jump off a building or something.”

Given how much Nerissa loved Owen, the threat of suicide wasn’t exactly a joke. She’d already tried it once before

Owen finally got up and walked over to the door, taking his time.

He didn’t even look at her properly, his tone dripping with superiority. “Who told you to come here? Calloway Group doesn’t want you.”

He continued, “I made myself crystal clear at the coffee shop the other day. From now on, even if you get down on your knees and beg me, I won’t spare you a single glance.

His secretary, Mason Halls, stared at him in confusion. “Mr. Calloway, what are you talking about?”

Owen had been expecting to hear Nerissa’s pleading voice, but instead he heard Mason’s. He whipped around, and when he saw Mason’s face, shock flooded through him. “Why is it you?”

It wasn’t Nerissa.

Owen couldn’t believe it. The person knocking wasn’t Nerissa at all.

Mason licked his lips nervously. “Mr. Calloway, I’m here to remind you-the meeting’s about to start.”

Owen’s face flushed with humiliation as he remembered how he’d lost control in front of Mason moments ago. “Get out,” he snarled. “Get the hell out!”

Mason bolted from the room.

Yale froze when he realized it was Mason who’d walked in, then moved closer to Owen. “Owen, calm down. I think Nerissa’s whole game here is to make us come to her. How about I go see her tonight?”

They needed to acquire Kinsbeat Game urgently, which meant they had to find Nerissa and determine what was really going on with the company.

“No.” Owen immediately shut down Yale’s suggestion.

If Nerissa thought she could use Kinsbeat Game to force him into remarrying her, she had another thing coming. He wasn’t going to give her the satisfaction of chasing after her.

Besides, tomorrow was the day Stratford Group would announce their bid results, and he needed to be at his best for that meeting. He’d sign the contract with Lennox in front of everyone and become the envy of the entire business world.

Once he secured the Stratford Group partnership, losing out on Kinsbeat Game wouldn’t hurt Calloway Group at all.

‘Let’s see what leverage you have then, Nerissa, he thought coldly.

There was no way some country bumpkin like her could help Kinsbeat Game land a deal with Stratford Group anyway.

Owen turned to Yale. “Contact the entertainment reporters. Leak the news about my upcoming partnership with Stratford Group.”

Once word got out, the media would be camping outside Stratford Group headquarters after tomorrow morning’s announcement, all fighting to interview him.

After all, no one in Aosthorne had ever secured a partnership with Stratford Group before.

He’d be the toast of the town all over again.

“Got it, Owen.” Yale nodded. “I’ll take care of it right away.”

In the top-floor office at Kinsbeat Game, the secretary knocked and entered. “Mr. Beaumont, Felix from Stratford Group just called asking about the bid proposal. He wants to know when we’re submitting it.”

Clive glanced at his watch. They still had two hours before Nerissa’s deadline. “Tell Felix we’ll deliver on time,” he said.

“Yes, Mr. Beaumont.”

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Chapter 32 The Tables Turn

After the secretary left, Bernard Langley spoke up, “Clive, you’re still waiting on Ms. Jamison?”

Bernard had been Clive’s classmate since high school, and now he was one of Kinsbeat Game’s shareholders with a seven percent stake.

“Yeah.” Clive nodded.

Bernard frowned slightly. “The bidding deadline’s almost here, and you’re sure Ms. Jamison’s reliable?”

He paused, then continued. “You spent half a month working on this proposal and couldn’t crack it, but she can do it in one day?

“I’m telling you, don’t put all your eggs in that basket. Look, we already solved the cash flow problem, so we should focus our energy on the Celestial Dome Awards instead. We can’t afford to lose everything chasing after one opportunity.”

Clive stood firm against Bernard’s doubts. “If Ms. Jamison didn’t have the skills to handle this proposal, she wouldn’t have agreed to help me in the first place. I trust her.”

Bernard let out a helpless laugh. “Man, you’ve really lost it.”

He could believe Nerissa was a rich trust-fund kid with money to burn, but the idea that she actually had real talent, Bernard wasn’t buying it.

Just then, an email notification pinged on Clive’s computer.

Clive immediately clicked open his inbox and saw Nerissa’s message. A smile crossed his face. “Ms. Jamison’s timing is perfect.”

Bernard’s eyebrows shot up. “She actually sent something?”

“Yeah.” Clive saved the files and forwarded them straight to Stratford Group’s project manager.

Bernard stared at him in disbelief. “You’re not even going to review it first? You’re just sending it to Stratford Group like that?”

“Don’t need to. Whatever Ms. Jamison puts together will be solid.” Clive leaned back in his chair. “Stratford Group announces the bid results tomorrow. We’re both going.”

Bernard licked his lips nervously. “Clive, you don’t actually think Kinsbeat Game has a shot at winning this, do you?”

‘If we don’t land this Stratford Group contract, Bernard thought, ‘the way things are going for Kinsbeat Game right now, showing up tomorrow is just asking for humiliation.’

“You gotta have dreams, right?” Clive said with a smile. “Besides, Ms. Jamison worked her ass off on this proposal for us. If we don’t even show up, we’re basically throwing all her hard work in the trash.”

“I mean, yeah, but I heard through the grapevine that Mr. Stratford’s already teaming up with Calloway Group,” Bernard said. ” We show up and we’re just gonna be background noise for Owen.” He let out a heavy sigh.

Honestly, Bernard had seen this coming. Stratford Group’s decision to pick Calloway Group wasn’t exactly a shock.

Owen was a once-in-a-decade powerhouse in the finance industry.

In Aosthorne, only a handful of people could match what he’d done-taking the crumbling Calloway Group and dragging it back from the brink, all the way to the top, and he’d done it fast.

Clive lit a cigarette and exhaled slowly. “If you’re not going, I’ll go alone.”

“No, I’m going.” As business partners, Bernard couldn’t just abandon Clive like that. If they were going to embarrass themselves, they’d do it together.

The next morning at nine sharp, Bernard and Clive arrived at Stratford Group together.

The conference room was already packed with prominent industry figures.

When Bernard and Clive walked in, nobody rushed to greet them like they used to. No one was kissing up to them anymore. Instead, they got nothing but eye rolls and snide remarks.

“Wait, isn’t that Clive and Bernard from Kinsbeat Game?”

“What are they doing here?”

“They don’t actually think Mr. Stratford’s gonna pick them, do they?”

“Talk about embarrassing themselves.”

Bernard had braced himself for the mockery, but it still hit hard. His steps felt heavy, and breathing suddenly took effort.

Kinsbeat Game used to be something. Back then, everywhere he went, people respected him. Companies were lined up. desperate to work with him.

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Chapter 32 The Tables Turn

Just a few months later, and this was what it had come to. ‘How did it all fall apart so fast?’ he thought, feeling the weight settle in his chest.

Clive felt a pang in his chest too.

Right then, a commotion broke out near the entrance. The chatter in the room shifted from gossip to flattery. “Mr. Calloway.”

“It’s Mr. Calloway.”

“Mr. Calloway’s so young and accomplished.”

“Like grandfather, like grandson. Mr. Griffin Calloway was brilliant, so his grandson’s gotta be just as good.”

Bernard and Clive looked up.

Owen strode in wearing a limited-edition suit, and everyone practically parted like the Red Sea for him. He walked with his head held high, and Wade followed close behind.

Bernard’s gaze landed on Wade, and his brow furrowed. “Traitor,” he muttered.

If Clive hadn’t given Wade a leg up back in the day, Wade wouldn’t be where he is now.

And Wade stabbed Clive in the back, jumped ship to Calloway Group, and took some critical data with him.

‘Ungrateful piece of shit, Bernard thought.

“Everyone wants a better life, and there’s nothing wrong with that,” Owen said, walking right up to Bernard with a mocking look in his eyes.

He continued, “Your company doesn’t have what it takes to give Mr. Swynford what he deserves, so you trash-talk him behind his back instead. Maybe you should work on your corporate culture first.”

The room erupted with agreement. “Mr. Calloway’s right. Kinsbeat Game can’t keep talent, and now you’re mad that Mr. Swynford moved on?”

“Exactly.”

Bernard clenched his fists as everyone twisted the truth, and he was about to argue back when Clive put a hand on his shoulder, signaling him to let it go.

History belonged to the winners, and business was no different.

Once Kinsbeat Game reached the top, Wade would get what was coming to him.

Bernard knew this wasn’t the time or place to fight with Owen and Wade, so he forced himself to cool down.

Clive turned to Wade with a calm expression. “Thanks for the lesson, Mr. Swynford. You really showed me what it means when they say business is war. But leaving Kinsbeat Game is easy-getting back in won’t be. I just hope you never regret

this.”

“Regret?” Wade sneered. “The only thing I regret is not leaving Kinsbeat Game sooner.

“Mr. Beaumont, do you still not see the reality here? Everyone in this room knows Mr. Stratford wants to work with Mr. Calloway, not you. If I were you, I wouldn’t have shown up today just to embarrass myself.”

Wade’s voice rang with absolute confidence.

Next to him, Owen lifted his chin high.

When he’d arrived at Stratford Group earlier, he’d spotted a crowd of reporters camped out downstairs. They were all waiting for him to seal the deal with Stratford Group so they could get their exclusive interview and snag the headline.

After all, he was going to be the first person in Aosthorne to partner with Stratford Group.

Soon, he’d be the most brilliant man in the entire city..

Clive frowned slightly. “Mr. Stratford hasn’t announced his partner company yet, but Mr. Calloway and Mr. Swynford seem awfully confident. Aren’t you worried about making fools of yourselves?”

Bernard jumped in right after. “Owen, Wade, let me tell you something. Don’t get cocky too soon. We just brought in a really talented Ms. Jamison at Kinsbeat Game, and she’s gonna take us to the top. When that happens, you’ll be crying while we’ re laughing.”

Clive nodded along. “That’s right. Ms. Jamison’s not just gonna lead Kinsbeat Game to new heights. Her latest proposal is gonna help us win the Stratford Group bid too.”

Owen let out a mocking laugh. “Nerissa? Mr. Beaumont, Mr. Langley, you don’t know this yet, but Nerissa’s my ex-wife.”

He continued, “Nobody knows her better than I do, and she’s just some country bumpkin from nowhere. She didn’t even finish high school, and you’re putting all your hopes on her? That’s absolutely pathetic.”

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Chapter 32 The Tables Turn

‘What does Nerissa think she is?’ he thought. ‘Does she really think she can win the Stratford Group contract? Dream on. The only winner is gonna be me.’

Clive’s anger flared at Owen’s insulting words, and he pointed right at him. “Owen, don’t look down on people like that. So what if Ms. Jamison came from nothing? She can still crush you even with her background.”

“Her?” Owen’s face twisted with contempt. “Clive, you’re hilariously stupid. No wonder Kinsbeat Game is falling apart. With a useless CEO like you running things, Kinsbeat Game’s nothing but collateral damage in the business world”

He added, “But hey, Clive, if you apologize to me nicely, maybe I’ll be in a good mood and go easy on you. I might even buy out Kinsbeat Game at a premium price.”

Clive narrowed his eyes, his gaze steady and unwavering. “Ms. Jamison’s definitely gonna get us this contract.”

Seeing Clive’s stubborn confidence, Owen let out a scoff.

“Everyone, please quiet down.” A deep voice suddenly cut through the noisy conference room.

The chatter died instantly, and everyone turned toward the conference table.

Luke stood at the podium, leaning slightly forward with one hand on the microphone. “Good afternoon, everyone. I’m Luke from Stratford Group, and I’ll be announcing the bidding results on behalf of Mr. Stratford.”

Mason handed him a sheet of paper, and Luke took it with a slight nod.

Lennox always kept business matters strictly confidential, so even Luke had no idea which company had won the contract until this very moment.

The room fell silent. Everyone held their breath, watching Luke intently and waiting for the answer.

Luke began, “I’m pleased to announce that the winning company is-”

Luke’s eyes scanned the company name on the paper, and surprise flickered across his face. He glanced up at Owen, who sat at the conference table, and the words caught in his throat for a moment.

Owen noticed Luke’s gaze landing on him, and pride surged through his chest. ‘It’s definitely Calloway Group. Why else would Luke be looking at me like that?’ he thought.

Owen smoothed down his suit jacket and rose from his chair with a self-satisfied smile, ready to accept the winning proposal from Luke’s hands. He couldn’t hide the triumph on his face.

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