Hello, Ex! I Finally Found My Worth!-Chapter 119: Unprofessional

Claire sat at the expansive mahogany desk in Alex's office, papers spread across the polished surface like a chaotic battlefield.

The sunlight filtered in weakly through the tall glass windows, casting long shadows that matched her mood perfectly.

"That boy," she muttered under her breath, flipping through the stack of contracts with a scowl. "Just bent on using Emma's health as an excuse!"

Her neatly manicured fingers tapped the edge of the papers in frustration. Alex was at home, undoubtedly enjoying breakfast with Emma, while she was stuck here running JB Enterprise.

"I should be at home, relaxing, not here, cleaning up after him." She glanced at the clock, irritation tightening in her chest. Nearly noon, and still no word from him.

"He wouldn't even call to check on me, just focused on Emma!" She mumbled, a sigh escaping her lips.

She picked up the next file, her mind not really on the figures as much as on her brother's sudden change of priorities. Ever since Emma had come into his life, Alex had been... different. Softer. More distracted.

And yet, Claire couldn't find it in her heart to be truly angry about it. Since he was distracted in a good way.

The door opened, interrupting her thoughts. George, Alex's reliable and slightly nervous secretary, stepped in, holding a tablet and wearing his usual professional demeanor.

"Ms. Sterling, the potential investor for the Eastview project just called," he began, voice calm but hesitant.

Claire raised an eyebrow. "And?"

"He's requested to move the meeting to a different location. Somewhere away from the office."

She blinked, setting the pen down. "Excuse me? Why would he change the venue last minute? What kind of investor pulls that stunt on us?"

George adjusted his tie, clearly uncomfortable. "I'm not sure, ma'am, but he already called Mr. Alex and received approval."

Claire's eyes narrowed. "He what?" she asked, unable to believe Alex would do that without first, calling her.

George gave her a careful nod. "Yes, ma'am. Mr. Alex approved the change earlier this morning. He said he just called to let us know incase we hadn't been told."

Claire pressed her lips into a thin line, reaching for her phone. Her irritation flared hotter. Alex, making decisions behind her back? Not informing her first? She was stepping in for him while he took care of his wife, so she deserved to know.

What he did was unacceptable even though she very well knew nothing could be changed now.

Without wasting any time, she hit the call button and waited as the line connected.

"Claire" Alex's voice came through, calm but slightly distracted.

"Alex," she snapped, "I just heard from George about the venue change for the Eastview investment. Why on earth would you approve that without consulting me first? Don't I deserve to know that?"

There was a brief pause on the other end. "It's just a meeting at a restaurant, sis. Nothing serious. I didn't think you'd get this iritated."

Claire pinched the bridge of her nose. "Alex, it is serious. Do you know how unprofessional it looks to change locations last minute? It seems... suspicious."

He sighed. "Just relax, okay? I trust this client. He's just more comfortable meeting in a casual setting. It'll be fine. I'm sorry for not telling you, earlier. It just sort of skipped my mind. Maybe because I'm not the one going on the meeting but that's not an excuse. I'm really sorry. Should've told you."

She wasn't convinced. Not fully. But his voice was steady, and for once, it didn't feel like he was dodging her concern.

"I hope you're right," she said tersely.

But then she narrowed her eyes when she heard the faint sound of wind, and the steady hum of an engine.

"Alex... are you driving? Where are you going?" she asked suspiciously.

There was a beat of silence before he answered.

"I'm going to see Jake."

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Claire blinked, her entire posture stiffening. "Jake?" Her voice softened, the sharpness fading.

"Yes," Alex said, voice quieter now. "I need to see him for myself. Make sure he's really... sorry. Seeing as you and Emma has forgiven him. I need to at least try."

Claire swallowed the lump rising in her throat.

She knew how deeply Jake's betrayal had cut him. To hear him say this... it was a sign. A sign that maybe, just maybe, he was ready to heal.

"Thank you, Alex," she said softly. "For doing this. It means more than you know."

There was a brief silence before Alex added, "I'll call you after," Alex said before ending the call.

Claire set the phone down gently, lost in thought for a moment. She could feel the tension ebbing just slightly.

Maybe Emma really was changing him for the better.

But there was still the matter of this mysterious investor. Whom instead of telling her his name, Alex had merely said he was the Eastview project Investor.

She straightened, brushing off the lingering emotion and turning back to George. "Alright, George. Prepare the car. We're going to this meeting. Where did he say it was?"

George shifted slightly. "Uh, the investor requested Frenchies and Fries, ma'am."

"Fine," Claire muttered, rising from her chair and smoothing her blazer. "Let's get this over with."

The drive to Frenchies and Fries was quick, though Claire remained tense the entire ride. This felt wrong. Unprofessional.

Why would a major investor want to meet here?

When they arrived, Claire stepped out, her heels clicking sharply against the pavement.

Her gaze scanned the restaurant until it landed on a familiar figure seated near the back.

Christopher Jacobs. What was he doing there? She mused and then shook her head.

"You got to be kidding me!" she muttered when a thought crossed through her mind.

The Eastview project had been all but a lie. How could she not have figured it out.

She turned to George who was looking at everywhere else but at her and it just confirmed what she already knew.

Shaking her head, she turned to leave but before she could, Ivy who had been inspecting the patrons saw her and called out to her.