My Boyfriend’s “Just a Friend” Became the Reason I Walked Away Chapter 07

My Boyfriend’s “Just a Friend” Became the Reason I Walked Away Chapter 07

Vanessa had moved out of the apartment, but at work, she remained Ethan’s most trusted design director.

A week later, the two of them arrived at Sterling Properties with every expectation of securing the

deal.

They were there to negotiate an annual architectural services contract.

Ethan sat in the conference room, reviewing the proposal in his hands, when the door opened and

several executives in business attire walked in.

The moment he looked up and saw the familiar figure at the center of the group, he froze. A second

later, his expression darkened.

He rose instinctively and strode toward me.

“Claire, you’ve really outdone yourself this time.”

His voice was low, his anger tightly restrained.

“You disappeared for days, and now you choose the most important meeting our firm has had all year to cause a scene?”

He drew a deep breath, then deliberately softened his tone.

“I’ve had time to think about what I did wrong. Go home for now. Once this meeting is over, I’ll find you, propose, and give you the home you’ve always wanted.”

I looked at him as though he were a stranger and stepped back, putting more distance between us.

“I’m not causing a scene. I have every right to be here.”

I met his gaze without flinching.

“And Ethan, we’ve already broken up.”

His expression hardened. His jaw tightened, but no words came out.

Vanessa hurried over to smooth things over.

“Claire, Ethan is one of the proudest people you’ll ever meet, and even he’s swallowing his pride to make things right with you.”

“He’s giving you an opening to put this behind you, so why are you still dragging it out? Are you seriously planning to end things with him?”

I avoided the hand she reached toward me and answered coldly.

“Drop the fake concern, Vanessa. This is Sterling Properties, not a stage for the two of you to perform on.”

Vanessa didn’t look offended. If anything, she looked at me with open contempt.

Sterling Properties’ general counsel stepped forward awkwardly and cleared his throat.

“Mr. Walker, Ms. Blake, Ms. Sterling is now Sterling Properties’ Design Director. She has every

right to be part of this meeting.”

Ethan studied me for a long moment before turning around and returning stiffly to his seat.

The meeting officially began.

Vanessa presented their proposal methodically, outlining the benefits of hiring their firm and highlighting their past projects.

When she finished, I leaned back in my chair and spoke in a cool, even tone.

“Your firm isn’t a suitable partner.”

For once, Vanessa looked genuinely confused.

“What?”

I folded my hands on the table and repeated myself.

“Your firm isn’t the right fit for Sterling Properties.”

Ethan, who had remained silent until then, shot to his feet.

“Claire! I don’t care how you managed to get yourself into Sterling Properties, but Vanessa and I pulled several all-nighters putting this proposal together. This is a business meeting, not a place

for you to settle personal grudges or throw a tantrum.”

I gave a short, humorless laugh and slapped a thick file onto the table.

“Let’s start with the Southside redevelopment project. To help your client cut costs, your firm

approved revisions that reduced the thickness of the structural walls below the engineer’s

approved specifications.”

“You signed off on the revised plans without the required structural review, but did either of you stop to think about the people who would have to live there?”

“If that building were hit by a major earthquake, you know exactly how many lives would be at

risk.”

Vanessa stood as well.

“Claire, you don’t understand building regulations. Once we accepted the client’s contract, we had a duty to protect their interests. This isn’t a school assignment. As long as a design meets the

minimum code requirements, it’s legally compliant.”

“And that project made our firm a lot of money, didn’t it?”

I drew a breath and looked at their self-righteous faces.

“That is exactly why your firm is unsuitable for Sterling Properties.”

“I’ve already instructed our legal department to submit the evidence to the city building department and the state licensing board.”

“Sterling Properties wants nothing to do with a firm willing to compromise public safety for

profit.”