Shattered Rose He Held On Tight novel Chapter 269

Chapter 269 Step into the Ring

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Even Sterling’s dad went out of his way to avoid her.

But

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… she thought about the upcoming birthday party Donovan was hosting to ward off bad luck. Who would be the next target? That all depended on who showed up first.

Sterling walked over, scooped her up, and put her on his lap, rubbing her chest lightly.

“Lying down all the time–doesn’t that get uncomfortable? Bad for your heart.”

Claudia shoved his hand away and rolled her eyes. “I was perfectly fine in my home studio. Who dragged me out to come to work with you?”

He pressed his forehead against her neck and chuckled. “But my employees don’t even recognize my wife. That’s not right.”

She scrunched her nose in playful annoyance. “It better be for that reason.”

He laughed again and pressed a long, deliberate kiss on her rosy lips. “I’ll turn the back lounge into a studio for you. You can work here from now on.”

Claudia made a big X with her arms across her chest, shaking her head like a rattle.

“No way! Working right under your nose is like tossing a steak in front of a starving wolf!”

He grinned. “You’re the steak?”

He pinched her. “Well… not exactly small.”

She let out a playful growl and chomped his cheek. “You pervert!”

He pulled her in tighter, laughing. “Well … I still belong to you.”

The couple was wrapped up in their own world when a loud “ahem, ahem” came from outside, courtesy of Clint.

Claudia jumped off his lap and sat up straight right away.

Sterling smoothed his shirt and spoke calmly. “Come in.”

Clint waited a few more seconds–until the guests behind him started to get impatient–then slowly pushed open the office door.

“Ahem… Mr. Romero, Ms. Lancaster, Ms. Lloyd is here.”

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Chapter 260 Step into the Ring

The deliberate second address made the people behind him glance at him carefully.

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## Finished

The moment Kamila stepped into the office, she saw the woman on the couch. She was wearing a rose–pink off–shoulder top and a light gray skirt, her skin practically glowing.

Bright, fresh colors that clashed with Sterling’s cold–toned office.

At this moment, her delicate face held a serious expression. Hands on her knees, sitting perfectly straight, like a schoolgirl.

Childish

Kamila sneered to herself.

And to make it worse, Clint actually greeted this woman as if she were the boss. It rubbed her the wrong way.

All because of a pretty face–why does she get to sit in Mrs. Romero’s spot?

Kamila had known Sterling longer and came from a more impressive background.

“Mr. Romero, Ms. Lloyd says she has a government partnership proposal to discuss with you,” Clint said politely, masking a subtle curl of his lip.

Kamila was Winnie’s older brother, Corbin’s daughter. Ever since Julian had tried and failed to strike a deal with Romero Corp, the Lloyds had stayed quiet for a while. Recently, they had started probing again, and Kamila was the representative of this effort.

Sterling’s expression remained cold. “I think I’ve made myself clear. Romero Corp has no interest in partnering with the Lloyds.”

Kamila clenched the documents in her hand, her gaze fixed on his sharp features. “But this is a government–led project. It only benefits Romero Corp, with no downside.”

She glanced at Claudia and deliberately added, “My father will be involved too. We could get firsthand insight into official policy.”

With Corbin in politics, leaking a little insider info was no problem.

Sterling’s fingers twitched slightly. Looks like the Lloyds really couldn’t sit still. Even the usually hidden Corbin had stepped into the ring.

But the higher you jump, the harder you fall.

He didn’t bother arguing with Kamila. “Clint, show her out.”

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