The CEO's Regret: Darling, Don’t Leave Me novel Chapter 94

Chapter 72: Businesswomen, Part 1.

Vanessa

+25 Points

The event is perfectly organized, warm lighting. Round tables with white floral arrangements. Champagne

glasses circulating discreetly. Powerful women–conversing in small strategic groups..

“Forum of Women Entrepreneurs and Global

Innovation.”

I attend every year, this year I didn’t come for networking. I came because I knew she would be here.

I see her before she sees me, Clara Sinclair.

She is a few meters away, surrounded by three women who listen attentively while she speaks. She wears

a navy blue dress, sober, elegant. She doesn’t need to exaggerate anything. Their posture is straight, but

not rigid. Her hands move naturally when she explains something.

I observe her calmly, carefully.

I take a glass of champagne from the tray that passes in front of me without looking away.

I analyze every detail, the hair loose, slightly wavy.

The delicate makeup, the discreet earrings. The security with which she holds the gaze of those who

listen to her.

She does not try to impose herself, she simply occupies her space. And that… that is dangerous.

I take a slow sip, I always wanted to understand what Ethan saw when he looked at her

Today I try to decipher it.

She is not the most striking woman in the room, there are others with bolder dresses, with louder laughs, with brighter jewelry. Clara does not compete, Clara convinces

She smiles sideways when one of the women says something that makes her laugh. Tit her head slightly

when listening. Their body language is open. Close.

It’s not cold, it’s not calculating. It is… authentic.

I squeeze my fingers a little more around the cup, I was always impeccable in these events.

Measure, correct. Strategist.

She seems to just be comfortable, and that makes a huge difference.

One of the women touches Clara’s arm while laughing. There is immediate trust in her circle.

I also have circles, but mine are built with respect.

They seem to be built with connection, another difference.

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Chapter 72 Businesswomen: Part 1.

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Htake a deep breath, I didn’t come to compare myself. I came to understand.

Because if I’m going to fight for something, I need to know what I’m competing against. She raises her glass and takes a small sip. Her gaze moves around the room and for a second our eyes meet.

She doesn’t look away immediately, neither do I.

There is recognition, not surprise, recognition.

We know who we are to each other, she is the woman who was married to the man I love. I am the woman who was by his side while she was gone.

Her expression is not hostile, it is firm… She holds my gaze for a second longer, then returns to her

conversation.

As if she didn’t need to prolong the exchange, as if she didn’t feel threatened.

That small gesture makes me more uncomfortable than any gesture of jealousy.

I walk slowly to another table, keeping it within my field of vision.

I observe how she listens, how she intervenes only when she has something concrete to contribute.

How does she not seek to be the center, but ends up being one anyway.

I remember what I asked myself a few days ago… What did I lack?

Maybe this.

This ability to make others feel seen.

With Ethan I was a partner, with Clara he felt chosen.

There is a subtle but profound difference between the two.

A group dissolves and she is momentarily alone. She checks her phone, answers something brief, puts the device in her bag.

She moves toward the drinks table, the same place I’m headed. Fate has a sense of humor.

We stop in front of the same waiter.

“Champagne,” she says.

“The same,” I add.

The waiter serves us, we meet next to each other.

The silence is not uncomfortable, it is tense.

Controlled.

“Good night, Vanessa,” she says finally, turning slightly towards me.

Her tone is correct.

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No sarcasm.

“Clara.”

I take a closer look at her now, she has slight dark circles.

She is tired, but not weak.

“You look good,” I add, because I’d be lying if I said otherwise.

“Thank you.”

She doesn’t return the compliment right away… Interesting.

+25 Points

“Congratulations on the closing of the contract, it is close to being a success,” I continued. “It has been a

complex project.”

She nods.

“It was. Your team worked efficiently.”

Professional, always professional.

We take a small sip of our glasses almost at the same time.

“Ethan’s been there, too… involved,” I say with measured intention.

I want to observe her reaction. There’s a barely noticeable second where her fingers tighten around the glass, then relax.

“He’s part of the project.”

Neutral, but not indifferent. I am an expert in feigning indifference… She not so much.

I look directly at her.

“You two have been talking more lately.”

It’s not a question, it’s a statement. She holds my gaze… she does not smile.

“Ethan and I have unfinished business.”

Unfinished business, what an elegant way to tell history.

My chest barely tightens.

“The past is usually insistent,” I reply.

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