Chapter 4 The Reunion

(Camilla's POV)

"My fiancee, are you fascinated by my handsomeness again?"

My fiancee？I smirked mischievously at the man sitting across the room, our eyes locked with each other. He hasn't changed one bit. He still looks dashing in his black suit and that pushed back hair of his… a sight to behold.

You will never think that he’s someone capable of abandoning his own wife.

“I’m so glad you're here now, Miss Cams!” I heard the relieved voice of my secretary. I gave her a sweet smile. I didn't mean to make her nervous. I just wanted the anticipation to be authentic!

Butler Jin told me that I don't have to go if I don't feel ready yet. However, I believe that my one year is enough to face the people who have ruined me.

I plastered a sweet smile on my face. “Where do I sit?” I asked.

Danny escorted me to the vacant seat just opposite from Lester. I can feel eyes watching me as I make my way to my seat. Ironically, the old man seated beside me stood up to pull my chair for me. I looked at him with sparkling eyes. “Awww! Thank you. You are?” I asked softly.

He lent his calloused hand to me.

“I am Robert Bucks,” he introduced himself.

I stared at his hand.

I don't know what made him think that I am interested to know his name but he is definitely mistaken. I am not here for his name. I am here for his position in whatever company he’s from.

Being in the business industry for a year, I have learned to choose my consequences well.

Well… he pulled my chair anyway so?

“Nice to meet you, Rob,” I replied using my feminine voice. His ears turned red from the cute nickname I gave to him, making me chuckle.

It’s funny how old men can blush so fast from young women like me. It’s like a button we can easily push and turn them into a tomato in an instant.

All they need is a pretty young woman and they'll do whatever you want.

Men are so easy.

I glanced back at Lester’s face who seemed to have darkened a bit after witnessing the old man simping on me live in front of him.

I gave him a playful smile.

None of these men know that I am his ex-wife. He did a pretty good job hiding me from the world when I was still his wife.

This is going to be fun.

I scanned my eyes around the room, their faces a mixture of amazement and disdain. Some of the look happy to see me, some aren't. In a world of testosterone-fueled battleground, a woman, especially one as beautiful and confident as me, is an anomaly, an unwelcome intrusion into their carefully constructed world.

They are the CEOs of the most powerful companies in the industry, gathered for a single purpose: to hear proposals for the next big project.

And I will make sure to leave their jaws dropped flat on the floor with my presentation.

The organizer of the event briefly began with a short introduction before formally starting the event. I was looking at the speaker but I know that the majority of the men inside the room weren't looking at him like I do because their eyes are on me.

“So, shall we begin?” he asked. “May I call on the Colossus Project to start their presentation?”

He looked at one side of the room but the CEO of the said company seemed to have a different plan today. When I followed his gaze, I found him staring at me with narrowed eyes like he was judging me from head to heel. I innocently checked myself.

Beside from the revealing short dress I am wearing that is definitely not ethical to wear in such a meeting, I don't see anything wrong with myself.

At least, I am carrying my own blazer in case I feel cold and won't be borrowing one from these hungry beasts.

"So, Camilla," one of the men, a burly man with a booming voice and a face like a bulldog, said, his tone laced with sarcasm. "Tell us, what makes your proposal so special?”

I arched my brows at him.

“I believed that he called your company and not mine,” I sarcastically replied back.

He let out an insulting loud laugh that almost made me want to apply what I learned from my Muay Thai training to his face. Every single CEO plastered an arrogant smirk on their faces like they were proud with how their fellow dimwit acted.

“Ladies first?” he said.

That phrase is meant to show politeness and respect to women but he somehow managed to made it sound fucking annoying.

“You don't have to present first if you don't want to. It’s fine, dear,” Rob whispered beside me, putting his rough hand on my leg. I looked at him with disgust. He’s not actually thinking of flirting with me at that age. He looked like he already had a great grandson.

I suddenly stood up from my seat, startling everyone. If they think I’m going to back down, they're actually doing me a favor.

I’m not going to sit here and bore myself with their stupid proposals.

I confidently walked to the platform where Danny was already waiting to flash our presentation on the white screen. I faced them with a proud smile on my face despite of their eyes getting stuck in my cleavage.

Men…

I took a deep breath, my eyes meeting theirs with a steely gaze. "My proposal," I said, my voice calm and measured, "is based on a radical new approach to the problem. It's a solution that is both innovative and cost-effective, a win-win for everyone involved.”

I launched into my presentation while maintaining the confidence and clarity in my voice. My words flowed effortlessly in the room.

I spoke of market trends, of technological advancements, and of a future that was both exciting and achievable.

The CEOs who were initially doubting my capabilities to defend my proposal found themselves listening attentively to me. It’s a relief that they are now starting to realize that it isn't just my boobs and my ass that is interesting about me.

I can definitely seduce someone with my brains.

“That’s brilliant!” Rob exclaimed, his eyes sparkling while looking at my breasts. I don't even know if he really listened. All I know is one of the reasons I forced myself to present first is because I didn't like him being my seatmate. He’s a fucking pervert.

I smiled as everyone began to clap their hands for me.

“Thanks…” I said.

At that moment, a man suddenly raised his hand, stopping the applause. I gazed my eyes at him. It was no other than Lester.

Looks like he finally pulled himself back together after being dazed at my presence.

“Interesting,” Lester said, his voice laced with a patronizing tone. But I have to say, I'm not convinced. Your proposal seems a bit... ambitious. And frankly, I'm not sure women are really meant for this kind of work. Are you even sure that half of these men are really listening to you? It’s more like watching you.”

The room went silent. The other men looked at Lester, their faces a mixture of shock and disapproval. Even my unwavering composure felt a flicker of anger.

He must have felt jealous that I am now the center of attention and not him.

"Ambitious?" I countered, stepping down on the platform to get close to him. "Perhaps. But I believe that's a good thing. As for your other point, I'd like to remind you that the only thing that matters is the quality of the work, not the gender of the person doing it. Don't blame me for being pretty, Mister Agravante. It’s not my fault that they realized now that I am not just a pretty face.”

I saw how his face darkened from my bold rebuttal.

I’m not the same Camilla who would just stand and receive all your taunting remarks, Lester.

I paused, my eyes meeting Lester's with a challenging stare. "And besides," I added, a hint of a smile playing on my lips, "I'm pretty sure I saw you parted your lips when you saw me enter the room.”

The room erupted in laughter, the tension breaking like a dam. But our eye contact didn't break with each other. I was very much determined to let him look away first before me. He thinks he can intimidate me with the same tricks he played years ago?

He really is the same Lester.

And as I finished my presentation, the room erupted in applause, a testament of my success.

I glanced at Butler Jin who was waiting at the side of the room.

He gave me a small smile.

Oh, I know you're proud of me, old man. Haha!

“That was a very good proposal,” a young CEO said. I looked at the wine he was offering to me. I accepted it and gave him a seductive smile.

“Thank you.”

He smiled sheepishly.

“Do you have plans for dinner?” he asked. I bite my lip playfully.

I know exactly where this is going.

He’s the CEO of Zeus Innovations if I’m not mistaken falling to the seventh place of the most successful technology company in the country.

Not bad.

“I don—” I wasn't able to finish what I was saying when a baritone voice overpowered mine.

“She's having dinner with me.”

A smirked carved on my face as I turned to look at the man standing behind me with a darkened expression. He clenched his jaw upon locking eyes with me.

Looks like I have dinner plans with Lester tonight.