My Stepbrother's Dirty Little Secret novel Chapter 102

By the end, the CFO closed his folder slowly, “We’ll proceed with Orion Vector,” he said.

Of course you will, you fucking idiot.

He looked at me, “Send over the contract.”

I nodded once, “Already prepared.

The meeting started to close. The CRO leaned back again, folding his hands, “But we’ll need a pilot before full deployment.”

I nodded once, “You’ll have it.”

The deal was almost done but not signed. We stood, hands were shaken, polite words exchanged. They left the room talking quietly among themselves.

The door closed behind them. I didn’t look at anyone else because no one else made mistakes like she did. Gianna was gathering her papers, shoulders tight again.

I stood slowly and walked toward her, stopped just close enough, “You missed three transitions,” I said calmly.

She froze.

“You replaced two terms mid-sentence,” I added, “And you hesitated every time you had to explain something instead of point at it.”

Her fingers tightened around the papers, “They didn’t notice,” she said.

“I did.”

And that should be enough for her, her jaw clenched.

I leaned slightly closer, “Don’t mistake a successful meeting for a good performance,” I said quietly.

Her eyes lifted to mine.

“Next time,” I continued, “you don’t get those margins. I have already given you more chance than anyone else in here. Fix it.”

I tilted my head slightly, studying her because she was a problem I hadn’t decided how to solve yet.

“This was your second chance,” I went on, “Strike two,” I said simply.

The words didn’t land all at once. They sank in slow. I could see it happen on her face. Confusion first and then realization. Then that same stubborn resistance rising right back up like it did.

I let out a quiet breath through my nose, “You’re off the paid program,” I added, “Effective immediately.”

Her head snapped up a fraction, “What?”

“You heard me,” I said, “You’re still in the building. You’re still on the team. But you don’t get paid to stand in my meetings and hesitate over basic sentences.”

Her eyes flashed now. There it was, that spark of pride she kept trying to hold onto.

“That wasn’t—” she started, then cut herself off, pressing her lips together.

“And you made them look at you instead of the model,” I lowered my voice, “That costs me leverage.”

Then she shook her head once, “So I lose my pay because I paused for a second?”

“No,” I said, “You lose it because I can’t trust you not to do it again when it matters more.”

Her eyes didn’t drop. Most people’s would have by now. That irritation flickered again under my skin. I didn't like that look on her. I really wanted to crush her little pride.

“You want it back? Then earn it,” I finished. “Unpaid. You stay. You work. You prove you can stand in a room like that without folding in on yourself. Maybe,” I added, quieter now, “you’ll even learn something.”

That hit but instead of breaking, she pushed back. Her chin lifted again, eyes sharp now, burning straight into mine, “Fine, I don’t need your money. I never did.”

Something dark settled in my chest, I stepped back fully this time, adjusting my cuffs like the conversation was already over.

“We’ll see how long that lasts,” I said lightly.

I moved past her, brushing just close enough to make it intentional.

“Be in tomorrow at eight,” I added over my shoulder. “Unpaid doesn’t mean optional.”

I didn’t wait for her response. I stepped past her like the conversation was already over.

Because to me, it was.