The CEO's Regret: Darling, Don’t Leave Me novel Chapter 368

A Connection Novel 368

Chapter 278: Meeting with the Board of Directors, Part 1.

Clara

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There was something different about the weather; everything felt colder than usual, or maybe it was just me. Here I was; the day to face Alexander had arrived.

My fingers were intertwined on the table as I tried to steady my breathing.

In front of me, the enormous windows let in the grayish light of New York, but even that couldn’t

lessen the tension that hung in the air. Everything was about to explode. And I was the one who lit

the fuse.

Before I left my office, Ethan had taken my face in his hands and looked at me intently. I appreciate

that he came here, that he supported me. I know what his presence here means, and I truly wish he could come into this room and be by my side, but no, that’s impossible.

“Relax… everything will be alright.”

His voice was still echoing in my

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“I don’t want you to go in there thinking you’re alone,” he had added. “Because you’re not.”

Then he gave me a slow kiss, one that made me close my eyes for barely a second. I needed that

second. A moment of pure peace, where I knew everything would be alright. I don’t know why he

inspires such confidence in me. And it was a relief, because my body had felt stiff since I woke up.

“I’ll wait for you here,” he said, tucking a strand of hair behind my ear. “Keep me updated, please.”

I nodded. I didn’t want to tell him I was afraid, afraid that Alexander would deny everything, afraid

that the evidence wouldn’t be enough. Afraid that, in the end, the board would see me as an

emotional woman trying to destroy her partner. I didn’t want that. I know what it means for this to

happen and for Alexander to stay with the company; it would be terrible. I couldn’t bear it.

My assistant appeared a few minutes later with the folders and legal documents.

“The room is ready, Miss Sinclair.”

I took a breath and walked.

Each step toward the boardroom felt heavy. Too heavy.

When I turned the corner into the main hallway, I saw him.

Alexander.

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He was standing with two lawyers, impeccably dressed, completely serene. His dark suit seerned made for this kind of occasion. Elegant. Untouchable.

He looked like he was telling jokes to his lawyers because he was laughing at something and touching their shoulders.

How could he be so calm?

I have to admit, that infuriates me.

When his eyes met mine, I felt an uncomfortable pang pierce my chest. Because he didn’t seem worried; he seemed prepared. His lawyers were talking amongst themselves in hushed tones as they reviewed documents.

Alexander, on the other hand, just watched me. No smile, no greeting. Just watching me.

My assistant tensed slightly beside me. I kept walking. My lawyer appeared behind me almost at the same time.

“Good morning, Clara,” he murmured softly.

“Good morning.”

We went inside. The long table was already occupied by several members of the board of directors.

Mr. Hale was at the far end, arranging some papers in front of him. The atmosphere was awkward. Too formal, too quiet.

I sat down across from Alexander. He didn’t take his eyes off me for a single second. And neither did I…

My heart was pounding.

Hale cleared his throat.

“Well…” he said, clasping his hands on the table. “Thank you all for coming at such short notice.”

No one spoke.

“This meeting was called by Miss Clara Sinclair due to certain concerns related to internal decisions and recent events connected with the Boston expansion project.”

I felt Alexander’s gaze fixed on me. I didn’t move, and Hale continued.

“Before we formally begin, I want to remind you that this is still a private board meeting, and any information shared here must be treated with absolute confidentiality.”

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Chapter 278 Meeting with the Board of Directors, Part 1.

The lawyers nodded, and I swallowed slowly.

Then Alexander settled back in his chair. And spoke. “Before we continue… I want to say

something.”

His voice was calm, controlled. Too controlled.

Mr. Hale looked at him.

“Go ahead.”

Alexander rested his forearms on the table and then slowly scanned the room.

“I am deeply offended by this meeting.”

My fingers tightened under the table.

He continued.

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“Not because I have anything to hide… but because I believe my performance within this company speaks for itself.”

One of his lawyers nodded slightly.

Alexander continued…

“I have dedicated years of my life to working honestly, I have dedicated time, sacrifices, body and

soul to this company. I invested money, relationships, prestige… even when the risk was

enormous.”

He said this looking directly at me.

“I was part of the expansion in New York when few believed it would work. Because only I dared to bet on a company founded by an inexperienced woman, only I saw the potential. I was there in Boston when the project almost collapsed. And if we’re still talking about growth today… it’s because I also helped build it.”

My jaw tightened, because that was precisely the part that confused me.

Alexander had indeed helped build the company. He had been important. And that’s precisely why

it hurt so much more to discover what he had done.

“That’s why,” he continued, “I honestly don’t understand why we’re sitting here as if I were an enemy of this company… when I’ve been one of its most important pillars.”

Silence, a heavy, uncomfortable silence. So much so that I felt like the villain in the story.

I felt my nails dig into the palm of my hand under the table.

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