Dumped Then Claimed By A Billionaire (Nerissa and Owen) novel Chapter 33

Chapter 33 Dying Of Embarrassment

Chapter 33 Dying Of Embarrassment

No one knew just how smug Owen felt right now.

‘That little nobody Nerissa actually thought she could compete with me? Please; Owen thought, barely suppressing a grin.

He wasn’t just the financial world’s rising star of the decade-he was the first person in Aosthorne to land a partnership

with Lennox.

Everyone in that conference room had to be green with envy right now, and he was loving every second of it.

But then Luke’s voice cut through his victory lap like a knife, and Owen froze solid.

The entire hall went dead silent.

Because Luke announced, “Kinsbeat Game.”

‘Kinsbeat Game? How the hell is it Kinsbeat Game?’ Owen’s mind reeled.

All the color drained from his face instantly. He stared at Luke in disbelief, his voice shaking. “Mr. Merritt, you’re joking, right? This has to be some kind of joke.”

The crowd turned to Luke, confusion written all over their faces. ‘Kinsbeat Game is practically bankrupt, they thought. ‘Why would Mr. Stratford pick them?’

Some of them thought, ‘Owen lost to a company that’s about to go under? This is insane.’

“I’m not joking.” Luke was confused too. He had no idea why Lennox chose Kinsbeat Game, but it was Lennox’s decision, and he couldn’t go against it. “The winning bid really does go to Kinsbeat Game.”

Owen felt his legs give out.

He felt like a complete joke. ‘Why is this happening?’ he thought. ‘My proposal was the most innovative one. Why would Mr. Stratford choose Kinsbeat Game?’

Even Clive, who’d actually won, looked stunned.

He had complete faith in Nerissa, but now that he’d actually gotten the contract, he couldn’t believe it.

It was Stratford Group-the number one company in the business world.

Bernard, beside him, looked like he’d seen a ghost.

To make sure he wasn’t dreaming, his hand trembled as he moved it to his thigh and pinched hard. ‘Ow. That hurts. It hurts. Pain means it’s real. This isn’t a dream, he thought.

The realization hit him, and Bernard’s face lit up with joy.

He genuinely hadn’t expected that Nerissa, someone he’d never even met, would actually land them a partnership with Stratford Group.

While Clive was still processing everything, Luke walked over and extended his right hand. “Mr. Beaumont, congratulations.” “Thank you, Mr. Merritt.” Clive stood up, a bit overwhelmed, and shook Luke’s hand. “And thank you to Mr. Stratford for giving Kinsbeat Game this opportunity.”

“Let me take you to sign the contract then.”

“Of course.” Clive immediately followed Luke.

Bernard tagged along, too.

Before leaving, he shot Wade and Owen a look-and his smug expression said it all.

Wade wasn’t doing any better than Owen. His face had gone deathly pale, and his legs felt unsteady, like he might pass out any second.

He’d been so sure Calloway Group would win the Stratford Group bid and come out on top. But somehow, Kinsbeat Game had snatched the contract right out from under them.

‘What the hell does Kinsbeat Game have that we don’t?’ he thought bitterly. ‘Did I actually make a mistake leaving them?”

*****

Clive and Bernard followed Luke to the top-floor office without a word.

The 68th floor sat above the clouds, and from up here, the entire city sprawled out below them like a map.

Felix was waiting by the door, and as soon as he saw Luke approaching with the others, he pulled it open. “Mr. Merritt, Mr. Stratford’s been waiting for you.”

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Chapter 33 Dying Of Embarrassment

“Got it.” Luke nodded, then glanced back at Clive and Bernard. “Come on in.”

“Yes, Mr. Merritt.”

They were about to meet the legendary Lennox Stratford himself, and both men felt their nerves kick in.

Lennox was famously elusive. He never did press Interviews, and even when his company won patents or industry awards, he’d send Luke to accept them in his place.

No journalist had ever managed to get a photo of him either.

Clive remembered hearing about some small tabloid that had tried once. They’d gotten a shot of Lennox and published it to drive traffic. Two days later, the entire publication vanished without a trace.

The executive floor was massive, and it took them two or three minutes to walk before they finally reached Lennox’s office. Luke stepped inside first and spoke respectfully, “Lennox, the head of Kinsbeat Game is here.”

Lennox gave a slight nod. “You can leave now.”

Luke bowed slightly and walked out the door.

Only then did Clive dare to lift his head and look at the man sitting in the executive chair like a king on his throne.

The moment he did, the shock in Clive’s eyes was impossible to hide.

Lennox wore only a white dress shirt, and his black suit pants wrapped around his long legs. His refined features looked like they’d been carved by a master sculptor-absolutely flawless. Before today, Clive had always thought the domineering CEOS in TV dramas were way too exaggerated.

He’d figured real executives who fought their way through the business world couldn’t possibly be that young and that devastatingly handsome at the same time.

But after meeting Lennox today, he realized those TV dramas had actually been holding back.

After all, Lennox’s looks and commanding presence were leagues beyond those of the pretty-boy celebrities.

Clive had never imagined that besides Nerissa, there could be a second person in this world who could make him feel this stunned.

Clive pushed down his shock and spoke respectfully, “Mr. Stratford, I’m Clive, the head of Kinsbeat Game, and this is Bernard, one of Kinsbeat Game’s shareholders.”

Bernard immediately stepped forward and spoke with equal respect. “Mr. Stratford, I’m Bernard.”

Lennox pressed the unfinished cigarette into the ashtray, and his lips parted slightly. “No need to be so formal, gentlemen. Please, have a seat.”

Clive and Bernard exchanged a quick glance before they carefully took their seats in the chairs nearby.

Melinda pulled out a contract and said, “Mr. Beaumont, Mr. Langley, here’s the contract. Please take a look, and if everything seems fine, just sign it. If you have any concerns, you can discuss them directly with our legal department.”

The contract was three pages long, and its terms were clearly outlined.

After confirming there were no loopholes or issues, Clive picked up a pen and signed the contract. He stood up and looked at Lennox. “Thank you, Mr. Stratford, for giving Kinsbeat Game this opportunity. I promise you, we won’t let you down.” Lennox’s gaze stayed fixed on Clive, and his voice came out low and steady. “Based on the proposal your company provided, I believe you won’t disappoint me. I’m curious though. Which one of you came up with the proposal?”

As he finished speaking, Lennox’s eyes landed on both men. His expression seemed calm, but an invisible pressure lay behind it, making Clive and Bernard tense up, and their breathing suddenly felt harder.

After a brief pause, Clive said, “We’re honored that you think so highly of Kinsbeat Game, Mr. Stratford.”

He continued, “The proposal was created by our newest shareholder, Ms. Jamison, but she prefers to keep a low profile and stay out of the spotlight, so only the company name appears on the proposal.”

Typically, proposals would include the author’s name at the bottom.

‘Ms. Jamison?’ Lennox thought, his eyes narrowing slightly. An image of delicate, refined features flashed through his mind. ‘Could it be her?’

Even after signing the contract and leaving Lennox’s office, Bernard still felt like he was dreaming. He tried to keep his excitement in check and turned to Clive. “Did we really just partner with Mr. Stratford?”

“Yes, we did.” Clive nodded.

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Bernard shook his head in disbelief. “Ms. Jamison is incredible. If I heard right, Mr. Stratford himself praised her proposal ‘I gotta hand it to her, he thought.

Clive smiled. “I told you she was brilliant, but you didn’t believe me.”

Bernard scratched his head. “I just never expected a teenage girl to pull off something like this.”

His own sister was Nerissa’s age, and she was still asking their parents for money.

‘Man, some people just make you feel like a total failure in comparison, he thought.

“Oh, and Clive, there’s something else,” Bernard said, suddenly remembering something. He lowered his voice. “What Owen said earlier about Ms. Jamison being his ex-wife-is that actually true?”

Everyone in Aosthorne knew about Owen’s marriage to some country girl because of their huge class difference.

Word was that Owen’s country ex-wife had no talent and no class, and she wore heavy makeup all the time. She couldn’t pull off being high society, no matter how hard she tried, so Owen divorced her.

Bernard couldn’t wrap his head around the idea that their new shareholder, Nerissa, could be the same person as Owen’s ex -wife.

And he definitely couldn’t imagine how a girl who didn’t even finish high school could land a partnership with Kinsbeat Game and Stratford Group. It was insane.

Clive shook his head. “I don’t know all the details, but I feel like Ms. Jamison is nothing like Owen’s ex-wife.”

He continued, “Ms. Jamison’s gorgeous, and I’ve never seen her wear heavy makeup. And honestly, this might sound weird, but even though I’m older than her, every time I see Ms. Jamison, it’s like meeting some big-shot executive. There’s this pressure I can’t really explain.”

Clive’s respect for Nerissa was genuine and ran deep.

“If Ms. Jamison really is Owen’s ex-wife, then all I can say is Owen’s gonna regret this real soon,” Clive said.

He smiled, “Think about it-if Owen’s ex-wife is Nerissa, and Calloway Group bounced back overnight and hit the top again, then she’s gotta be the mastermind behind it all. Owen kicked out his golden ticket without even realizing it. How could he not regret that?”

Clive turned to Bernard. “Bottom line is, whoever Ms. Jamison is, we just need to stick with her and follow her plan. I’m telling you, she’s gonna take Kinsbeat Game straight to the top.”

“Yeah.” Bernard nodded. “You’re right about that, Clive.”

He felt totally confident now about reaching the top.

The elevator reached the first floor, and the doors slid open.

At the same time, the elevator across from them opened too, and Owen and Wade stepped out.

The second Owen spotted Clive and Bernard, his face turned absolutely livid

‘Great. Just what I needed; he thought bitterly. ‘I come downstairs and run straight into Clive and Bernard. What shitty luck.

Bernard grinned at them and said, “Well, well, well. If it isn’t Mr. Calloway and Mr. Swynford. What a coincidence running into you two here.”

Owen’s jaw clenched at Bernard’s obvious mockery, and he forced the words out through gritted teeth. “Don’t get too comfortable. This isn’t over yet.”

‘Compared to me, what the hell is Kinsbeat Game anyway?’ he thought furiously. I’m the real golden boy here. And Nerissa loves me so much. There’s no way she’d genuinely work with Kinsbeat Game. She’s probably just planning some kind of surprise for me. Yeah. That’s gotta be it.’

“Oh, you’re absolutely right. This isn’t over yet,” Bernard shot back/smoothly, throwing Wade’s earlier insult right back at them. “Kinsbeat Game’s gonna keep winning Celestial Dome Awards and climbing to the top. As for Calloway Group, well, I wish you guys the best of luck with that.”

Wade’s face twisted with rage. “Bernard, you think you can keep acting smug like this? Just wait. With Mr. Calloway running things, Kinsbeat Game won’t last much longer.”

Bernard clutched his chest dramatically and said, “Oh no, I’m so scared. But if you’re really that good, why didn’t Mr. Stratford pick you to work with? Why’d he choose Kinsbeat Game instead? Face it-you just can’t measure up to us.”

Humiliation flashed in Owen’s eyes, and his hands balled into tight fists. “We’re leaving,” he snapped.

Wade immediately followed Owen’s lead.

But they’d barely made it to the door when a swarm of reporters surrounded Owen and shoved microphones in his face.

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Chapter 33 Dying Of Embarrassment

Everyone fought to get in front of the camera and land the headline. “Mr. Calloway, as the first person in Aosthorne to partner with Stratford Group, how does it feel? Can you share your thoughts with us?”

“Mr. Calloway, congratulations on successfully securing a partnership with Stratford Group! Would our viewers be able to see the contract you signed with them?”

Owen’s expression grew darker with every question, and his lips pressed into a thin line. He had no idea how to respond.

Then a female reporter pushed her way to the front, stuck her microphone right in Owen’s face, and asked sharply, “Mr. Calloway, why aren’t you saying anything? Are you just too excited about landing the Stratford Group deal to speak?”

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