The CEO's Regret: Darling, Don’t Leave Me novel Chapter 188

Chapter 133 Must Learn to Play

Clam

Chapter 133: Must Learn to Play.

Clara

When I receive the message… I know it’s not a minor thing, not because of what he says. But because of

how he says it.

-“The board requests your presence at 10:00 a.m. Main Room.”

There is nothing, it is without context, without explanation, without margin.

I stare at the screen for a few seconds longer than necessary, as if doing so would bring up something

else.

But no, that’s all. And yet… is enough.

Because in this company, when the board calls like that… It’s not for casual conversation.

I exhale slowly, setting the phone down on the desk. My gaze is lost for a second in the void and unintentionally… I think of yesterday.

In the conversation with Alexander, in the document. In that adjustment.

My jaw barely tightens.

“It can’t be because of that,” I murmured.

But it doesn’t sound convincing, even to me.

The boardroom has always been imposing, but today… feels different.

Colder and more distant, more others.

The door opens in front of me and I enter. They are all there, without exception.

I notice it immediately; that… isn’t common either.

Some look up, others are already watching me. Evaluating, and that makes me be careful so I measure

each step to my seat.

Straight, confident. As always, as I should.

“Good morning,” I say in a general, neutral way.

The answers come… but there is no warmth in them.

Not today.

I take a seat, rest my hands on the table and wait.

The silence lasts only a few seconds, but it weighs heavily.

Chapter 13 Must Lean to Play

My head shows me a thousand scenarios and I tell myself: everything is fine, I shouldn’t be worried.

I know how to do things in my company.

“Clara,” begins one of the members of the board.”

His tone is professional, controlled. But not soft.

“Thank you for coming on such short notice.”

I nod slightly.

“Of course.”

I glance quickly across the table. And then… I see him, Alexander.

He is sitting a few places away, calm, observing without intervening. Yet.

I turn my attention to the front.

“Let’s get straight to the point,” the same member continues.

I nod. I prefer it that way.

“We have been reviewing some recent movements within the expansion project.”

My breathing remains stable.

Outside, inside… I begin to prepare.

“And we found an inconsistency.”

The word falls clear, direct. No frills.

My fingers barely tighten on the table.

“What exactly do you mean?” I ask.

My voice comes out firm, without hesitation. But more measured than usual.

One of them slides a folder towards me.

“Page seventeen.”

I take it, open it and there it is.

The adjustment, that same one. Exactly the same.

My gaze sweeps quickly over the document, but I already know what I’m going to find.

“This modification,” says another, “was approved under your direct criteria.”

I nod.

“Yes.”

Claim

Chapter 133 Must Learn to Play

I don’t deny it, I don’t soften it.

Because it is not a mistake, it was not.

Clam

“The problem is not the modification itself,” he continues. “It is the lack of sufficient technical support to support it at this point in the process.”

I look up.

“It’s based on previously validated internal projections,” I reply.

But it doesn’t sound like a defense, it sounds… explanatory.

They exchange glances.

“Not on this level,” one replies.

The document points out.

We are talking about a phase where any deviation… even if it is minimal… it can generate a domino effect.

The term stays with me, domino effect.

“If this projection doesn’t come to pass exactly as planned,” another person adds, “the margin of error doesn’t just affect this area.”

He turns over another sheet of paper.

“It affects this… and this.”

He points… Numbers, figures, impacts. And then I see it. Not the error, but the consequences.

My chest barely adjusts, not because I don’t understand. But because… I see it.

Clearly.

“We are working with a high-level external investor,” he continues. “And this type of variation without solid support can be interpreted as a lack of control.”

My gaze goes down to the document again, and for the first time… I don’t see it as i saw it yesterday.

Today I see it… from the outside. From them. And that… it changes everything.

“What would be the scenario if this is not corrected?” I ask.

My voice is lower, more precise.

One of them answers without hesitation.

“Loss of confidence.”

Another adds:

“Delays in execution.”

Claim

Chapter 137-est Learn to Play

And finally

“And in the worst case… Partial divestment.”

No one said anything, it was just a heavy, real silence.

My fingers slowly intertwine on the table, not because I’m nervous; because I need to anchor myself. Because this… it is no longer just criteria

It’s impact, and I know it. I get it… And I accept it

I look up.

“I understand.”

I do not justify, I do not argue. Not today, because it is not a question of being right.

It’s about sustaining what I built. And that… it involves knowing when to listen.

One of them nods.

“We’re not questioning your ability.”

Of course they are. But they don’t say it that way.

“But these kinds of decisions… they must be absolutely solid at this point.”

I nod again.

More firmly.

“They will be.”

I take the document.

“I am going to review this adjustment and present a supported correction.”

Pause.

“Today.”

They nod, but they don’t relax. Because it doesn’t end here.

“There’s another point,” says one more.

I look up.

We have noticed a change in the dynamics of approval in recent days.

My breathing barely stops, internally.

“Delegations at key moments.”

Later responses. Less documented decisions. Every word… It’s a soft blow.

But constant.