Fifty Bowls, One Broken Engagement Chapter 08

Fifty Bowls, One Broken Engagement Chapter 08

A black sedan stopped in front of me.

The window rolled down, revealing Lucas’s warm, composed face.

“Finished eating? Let’s go. We have a partnership to negotiate.”

His voice was gentle.

I nodded, slid into the passenger seat, and put every other emotion away.

That day’s meeting concerned a major international AI partnership.

It was our biggest project of the year and carried enormous strategic value.

If we secured it, our company would finally establish its name across the industry.

The negotiations ran from two in the afternoon until eight that evening.

For six straight hours, I led every stage of the discussion.

The other side challenged us repeatedly and pushed harsh terms. I stayed calm, controlled every detail, and settled the agreement clause by clause.

One by one, I broke through every point that had stalled the deal.

In the end, we secured full partnership rights and signed successfully.

The other company’s lead negotiator praised me repeatedly and expressed complete confidence in my ability.

When we left the building, Lucas looked at me with unmistakable admiration.

“Claire Bennett, you were made for this business.”

That night, Lucas arranged a dinner for the entire company.

It was both a celebration and a reward for everyone who had worked so hard over the past several days.

The private dining room was warm and lively. After a few drinks, everyone relaxed.

One younger employee became brave enough to tease us.

“Vice President Bennett and President Hayes, you two are ridiculously perfect together!”

“One is calm and brilliant, and the other is kind and dependable. You’re the perfect team.”

“And you’re both single. Why not just make it official?”

The entire room joined in at once.

Their laughter and teasing swelled until the atmosphere reached its peak.

I froze for a second and felt Lucas looking at me.

Our eyes met, and the air seemed to pause.

A moment later, he looked away with a smile.

“Stop making things up.”

“We still have several rounds of follow-up negotiations. Let’s hear everyone’s ideas.”

I understood.

He was rescuing me from the attention.

But I remembered something else.

Lucas had confessed his feelings for me once before, in front of everyone.

Back then, I had been completely devoted to Ethan.

I was so attached to those six years that I rejected Lucas without hesitation.

Afterward, he never pressured me and never crossed a line.

He remained my friend and quietly stood behind me whenever I needed him.

Ethan, on the other hand, had spent six years claiming he loved me and would never leave.

Yet he had allowed Megan to push her way into every part of our relationship.

When the celebration ended, Lucas drove me safely back to my new apartment.

After parking, he opened the trunk and took out a bouquet of white roses.

“Claire, after all these years, I want to tell you seriously one more time.”

“I never stopped loving you.”

“Before, I respected your choice. Now I want to be brave enough to make mine.”

“But I will not force you to answer now. Take all the time you need.”

“I’ll wait.”

The love in his eyes was pure and steady.

Something shifted inside my chest.

But I didn’t take the flowers or give him an answer.

I truly needed time to think.