The Scorned Heiress: No More Mercy novel Chapter 392

Tara knows exactly how Jade operates. She refuses to intervene too heavily; she wants these idiotic men to wake up and see the manipulation for themselves.

"What are you talking about? What farce?" Nikolai snaps, instinctively defending Jade.

"I am talking about the two of you clinging to each other in the middle of a professional meeting like you're on a date. It's completely inappropriate," Tara replies bluntly.

Nikolai freezes. Driven by Tara's words, he suddenly becomes hyper-aware of his posture. Jade is clinging to his arm so tightly that her chest is pressed flush against his side. The memory of his mother warning him about appropriate boundaries with Jade suddenly flashes through his mind. He had dismissed it at the time, insisting he only saw Jade as a little sister. But right here right now, he realizes exactly how inappropriate they look.

His face flushes scarlet, and he immediately shoves Jade away.

"What are you doing?" Jade cries out, stumbling back. She glares at Tara, pure hatred boiling in her veins.

"Just... watch your behavior in public," Nikolai mutters, his voice barely a whisper. He catches sight of several executives exchanging knowing, uncomfortable glances. The realization that his colleagues think he is engaged in an inappropriate office romance makes him want to sink into the floor.

Desperate to escape, Nikolai turns to the room. "We are ending the symposium here for today. Jade is unwell. She will present her findings when she recovers."

"Who says I know nothing? I'll say whatever I want. What are you going to do about it?" Tara challenges, stripping away the last of his dignity.

Nikolai has never been publicly humiliated like this. Usually, Jake or Alec takes the brunt of Tara's wrath. He feels physically sick. "What exactly do you want?" he grinds out.

"I want you to take your precious Jade and get out. I will host the rest of the meeting. I will explain the data to them myself," Tara states smoothly.

"You? You are going to explain it to them?" Nikolai stares at her in sheer disbelief. "Five minutes ago, you were begging Jade for an explanation!"