Chapter 14
~ Octavia ~
The hallway was cool and quiet as we followed Miranda, each step echoing softly on the polished floor. The conference room door stood just ahead, and with every inch we gained, my pulse quickened. Miranda glanced back at us; her smile was calm, but her eyes were sharp with the weight of the day. Beside me, Victoria gave my hand a quick, encouraging squeeze, though I could feel the tremor of nerves in her own grip.
Miranda pushed the door open. Inside, the massive mahogany table gleamed under recessed lighting. The board members of JeffTech sat on one side, and across from them were Franklin and his team.
Franklin sat at the head of the table. He looked devastating—his posture was domineering, his expression a mask of strict professionalism.
He looked every bit the powerful CEO the world feared. We took our seats quietly. I sat next to Victoria, my fingers twisting together in my lap to hide their shaking.
Franklin was silent, his eyes scanning the room like a predator. Finally, his gaze landed on me. Our eyes locked, and I felt my throat go dry again. Surprisingly, his look wasn't cold; it was calm, almost contemplative. I adjusted myself awkwardly and let out a small cough, breaking the spell.
He turned away only when the Chief Strategy Officer from his team leaned in to whisper something in his ear.
Once we settled, Miranda stood up. "Good morning, everyone. I'm Miranda Lawson, the lead on this initiative. Today, we are presenting a joint venture proposal that we believe will redefine enterprise VR. Before we begin, I would like to introduce Franklin Flemington, CEO of the Flemington Group, Ian Winslow from his team who is the Chief Strategy Officer, he will be evaluating today's proposals."
Franklin nodded, adjusted his seat, and casually buttoned his suit jacket.
"Thank you, Miranda," he said, his voice rich and steady. "I'm thrilled to be here. This partnership is a cornerstone for both our companies. Today, I'm looking for a vision that aligns with the future of immersive tech. Let's begin."
I felt the gravity of the moment. This wasn't just a pitch; it was my future. Miranda gestured toward me.
"Miss Herman? Why don't you start us off with Project Vortex?"
I began to stand, my heart in my throat, when Franklin spoke a single, sharp word.
"No."
The room went dead silent. My breath hitched. Was he really going to shut me down in front of everyone?
"I don't want Miss Herman to start,"
Franklin said, his voice smooth but firm. "To ensure absolute fairness, we cannot show bias. As many of you know, Octavia is my fiancée. I don't want anyone in this room—or on the board—to feel she was given the floor first out of favoritism. Mrs. Lawson? Pick someone else."
He didn't even look at me. His gaze shifted down the table, landing directly on Bella.
"Perhaps we can start with this lady."
He knew what he was doing by suggesting that Bella who start the presentation.
"Of...of course, Mr. Flemington. My apologies," Miranda stammered, clearly caught off guard. She gestured to my rival.
"Miss Washington? Please, the floor is yours."
"Thank you, Mrs. Lawson," Bella said, her voice dripping with artificial grace. She shot me a sickening, triumphant smirk as she stood and glided toward the big screen.
I sank back into my chair, my blood boiling. I wasn't surprised—Franklin would always find a way to push me aside—but the public dismissal stung. I folded my arms, fighting the urge to glare at the back of his head.
"Good morning everyone, I'm Bella Washington and I will begin with the presentation" Bella began, clicking the remote.
"Project Vortex is a vision for secure, scalable enterprise VR. On this first slide, you'll see the market forecast—$120 billion in three years. This is where JeffTech leads."
She was good. I hated to admit it, but her presentation was polished and focused heavily on financial foresight. She focused on remote corporate training and global reach. When she finished, the room broke into applause.
"Exceptional," Franklin remarked, and I could tell he actually meant it.
"Your focus on risk management and scalability is exactly what the Flemington Group looks for. Thank you, Miss Washington."
Bella beamed. "Thank you, Mr. Flemington. I appreciate the kind words."
As the morning went on, my colleagues—including Victoria—gave their presentations.
Franklin offered constructive, albeit brief, feedback to each. I realized I was being saved for last. I didn't let it rattle me. If anything, it gave me more time to sharpen my edge.
"Miss Herman?" Miranda finally called. "You're up."
Victoria whispered a quick "Good luck" as I stood. I walked to the front with my laptop, passing close enough to Franklin to catch the scent of his cologne—sandalwood and something metallic. It made my head swim for a split second before I locked in.
I set my laptop so that the images on it will appear on the screen.
"Good morning everyone. I'm Octavia Herman," I began, my voice gaining strength with every word.
"Project Vortex is a bold leap forward. But let me be clear: this isn't just about innovation. It's about reimagining human interaction. On this slide, you see our 'Virtual City' concept—a space where R&D and international collaboration coexist in real-time."
I flipped to the next slide, my body language open and commanding.
"This is the tipping point: Biometric Integration. We've developed AI-driven analytics that respond to a user's mood, fatigue, and cognitive load. Our VR isn't just a simulation; it's a living, breathing support system for productivity. This isn't a gamble, gentlemen. It's a revolution. And I'm inviting you to lead it."
I finished, feeling the rush of a perfect delivery. The room was silent for a beat. Then, Franklin leaned back, folding his arms.
"Miss Herman," he started, his voice cold and analytical. "I fail to understand your claim that this 'isn't just a simulation.' Can you explain the technical liability of a system that reacts to 'mood'?"
The room stirred. He hadn't grilled anyone else this hard.
Miranda tried to intervene, looking worried. "Mr. Flemington, if I may, Miss Herman's presentation has been incredibly thorough…"
"I am asking the questions, Miranda," Franklin interrupted, his eyes never leaving mine.
"I want to understand the statement. Despite our personal connection, I do not mix business with pleasure. Right now, I see an employee, and I have concerns. I'm all ears, Miss Herman."
I glanced at Bella out of the corner of my eye. She was gloating, her face lit up with the hope that Franklin was about to dismantle my hard work in front of the entire board.
I took a slow, steady breath. He wanted a fight? He was going to get one.