Betrayed By Husband, Stolen By Brother In Law-Chapter 132: Empty

Adam walked into the conference room with the older man with his jaw tight and shoulders tense. He said nothing as he took the seat across the man, but inside he was seething.

The older man seemed to be holding a hint of smug amusement in his eyes as he leaned back slightly in his chair and watched Adam with thinly veiled curiosity.

"So," the man began casually, "are you dating your co-director? That was quite an interesting scene I stumbled onto."

Adam didn't look up right away but when he did, his expression was stone cold.

"You're misunderstanding," he said flatly, his voice devoid of any expression.

The older man held up a hand, gave him a pacifying smile and said smoothly, "I believe you."

But his eyes told a different story. There was a gleam there—a knowing look that lingered Like a man who had seen too many boardroom affairs and knew the signs when he saw them.

Adam's jaw twitched, but he didn't rise to the bait. Instead, he leaned forward slightly, folding his hands in front of him.

"If you're done speculating," he said, his tone sharp but controlled, "I suggest we move on to the agenda. We're already behind schedule."

The older man chuckled softly, shaking his head. "Of course. Business, then. Let's just wait for Miss Saira to come in. I've heard a lot of good things about her."

Adam's eyes narrowed at that. There was something in the way this man said those words that raised his hackles.

The next minute, Saira walked in, holding the files in her hand.

The older man, stood up slightly in a show of chivalry and motioned to the empty seat beside him. "Miss Saira," he said with a smile that didn't quite reach his eyes. "Please. Sit here."

There was a pause—brief, almost imperceptible—but Adam caught it as she hesitated about sitting next to him.

But then, she gave a polite nod and walked over, sliding into the seat next to him. She placed the file gently in front of the older man, and said," Mr Kale. Thank you for taking out the time from your busy schedule for this. This outlines the preliminary plans for the quarter's tie up."

Mr Kale looked at the file but made no move to open it as he turned his chair towards Saira, effectively blocking Adam and instead spoke to her," I've heard a lot about you, Miss Vaugn. You've made quite the name for yourself in a short time, you've been working beside Robert, haven't you?"

Saira kept her expression composed and nodded," Sir Collins has been a great mentor and if you take a look at this file, I'll let my work speak for itself."

"Oh, I've heard more than just about your work, Miss Vaugn. Robert also told me you're quite... adaptable. That you know how to keep clients happy. Very hands-on, if I may repeat his words."

Adam, who had already decided to leave the meeting froze at the words.

Saira's lips pressed into a thin line as she heard the underlying meaning but even as she tried to ignore it, her voice trembled a bit as she said, "If you're referring to business practices, I assure you—"

"I'm referring to the very special brand of loyalty you inspire." The man leaned closer, covering the little distance between them and placed a hand on her thigh as he said, "Rumor is, you don't mind mixing pleasure with business. Some even say you're quite generous with your... attention."

Saira stilled and her hand tightened slightly on the edge of the table, but she didn't move. She didn't blink. She simply said, "We should focus on the proposal, Mr Kale."

"I am focusing on the proposal."

Adam stood up. Fast. The chair screeched back.

Saira stiffened—but didn't flinch.

The man glanced at Adam, mildly surprised. "Is something the matter, Mr. Collins?"

Adam didn't speak. He walked around the table in four precise strides, eyes fixed on that hand. He stopped beside the man, then reached down and shoved the hand off Saira's thigh with a sharp, cutting motion.

"She's not part of the negotiation," Adam said, his voice like ice. "You keep your hands to yourself."

The man leaned back with a chuckle, as if amused by the sudden protective words. "My apologies," he said, though there was no regret in his eyes. "Didn't know you were so territorial. So you and your co director are..."

"I'm not," Adam snapped. "I just don't tolerate filth.If you say one more word that isn't related to the deal, this meeting's over."

Saira turned her head slightly and her eyes flicked to Adam with something unreadable in them.

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But then Mr Kale banged his hand on the table angrily at the insult and stood up, "Maybe instead of jumping in like some overzealous knight, you should've asked her if she is willing to trade favors or not. Isn't that how these things work?"

He shoved the file aside carelessly as it skidded across the table and came to a stop near Adam. "If I knew I'd be insulted like this, I wouldn't have wasted my goddamn time coming here."

"Then don't," Adam said flatly, not missing a beat. "You're free to leave."

Mr Kale's jaw tightened, clearly not expecting that response. But Saira stood up quickly.

"Mr. Kale," she said, her voice calm but strained. "Please. This is all a misunderstanding."

He turned to her with a smirk. "A misunderstanding? Try telling that to your co director here!"

Her eyes flicked to Adam, pleading for him to step back and apologize before settling back on Kale. "You've misread the situation. Adam—Mr. Collins—was only trying to make sure things didn't derail. We value your time. And we value this partnership."

Kale scoffed. "Spare me the company lines, sweetheart." His gaze dropped and he gave her another once over as he said dismissively, "If you want to 'cooperate' now, you'll have to come to me on your knees. Otherwise, this deal? Dead."

Adam's hand slammed on the table.

"You're done," he said, voice like steel. "Get the hell out of this building."