His Last Command Came Back to Kill Him novel Chapter 110

Whitley's fingers dug into the edge of the table.

Between the sleepless night and standing in the blistering sun for hours, she felt dizzy and nauseous. Her legs felt like lead, and she was dangerously close to collapsing.

She knew objectively that her proposal was vastly superior.

But in the world of venture capital, the best numbers rarely beat the best connections.

Clive offered a faint, unreadable smile. "I think you already have your answer, Mr. Weaver."

The room went dead silent.

Weaver didn't hesitate. He turned to Josiah and Whitley, his expression hardening into practiced corporate sympathy.

"Mr. Zimmerman, Ms. Nash, your proposal is highly innovative, but it's far too aggressive. The risk is simply unmanageable."

"I'm sorry, but we will be partnering with Marmont Pharmaceuticals."

The words slammed into Whitley like a physical blow.

She understood instantly.

The "fair competition." Letting them into the room. It was all a theatrical production orchestrated by Clive so she could watch her own defeat in real time—so she could be publicly crushed and humiliated.

Her lips parted, entirely devoid of color. Her knuckles were white as she gripped her files, but she forced her spine to remain perfectly straight. She refused to let them see her break.

A second later, she stood up, her voice frighteningly calm. "Understood."

"Thank you for your time, Mr. Weaver. I hope our paths cross again."

As they stepped back out into the blinding afternoon sun, a vicious wave of pain ripped through Whitley's abdomen.

The terminal uterine cancer was ravaging her from the inside out. Between the strain of the presentation and the brutal heat, her body had finally reached its absolute limit.

Josiah saw her sway, his heart dropping. "You look like you're going to pass out. I'll get the car and take you straight to the hospital."

Clive never bought Whitley anything thoughtful. He just had his driver, Cole, buy expensive, meaningless trinkets to check a box.

Whitley looked at Clive. He stood there, completely silent, validating Yelena's performance without a second thought.

No explanation. No defense.

Her heart turned to ash, but she reached out and took the ointment anyway.

She couldn't afford to lose her hand.

Just then, Josiah jogged back, looking furious. "The car broke down. We have to wait for a tow."

Yelena gasped sympathetically. "Oh no, that's terrible. Why don't you let Cole drive you down the mountain? We're in no rush, we can wait."

She smiled, absolutely certain that Whitley's bruised pride would force her to refuse.