The Doormat Wife’s Ultimate Glow-Up novel Chapter 286

Hank was still riding the high from finding out he’d finally get to meet the Blade project head tomorrow, when Mr. Marsh casually mentioned the meeting would be at BlackOak.

He repeated the name under his breath, feeling his excitement instantly drain away. Sweat prickled at his back.

Wasn’t that where Reese worked now?

Was it possible she really was involved with Blade, just like he’d suspected all along?

That thought sent him straight to Bailey’s office, his nerves buzzing. He barely paused before pushing the door open.

“Dad, we have a problem,” Hank said, not even bothering to knock. “Mr. Marsh just told me the meeting with the Blade project lead is at BlackOak. That’s Reese’s company!”

Bailey was rolling an ornament between his fingers, but he froze at Hank’s words and narrowed his eyes. “And? Why are you so worked up? So she works at BlackOak. What’s it to us?”

Hank leaned over the desk, hands braced, his voice urgent. “Don’t you remember? Reese studied AI development in college! What if she’s involved in Blade? What if she hears about our partnership and tries to mess things up for us?”

Bailey scoffed and set the ornament down. “No way. She dropped out of college to marry Sebastian, then spent years as a stay-at-home wife. She probably doesn’t even know what’s happening in the industry anymore, let alone touch something as big as Blade.”

“She’s lucky they even hired her at BlackOak. There’s no chance they’d let her anywhere near a major project like that.”

“Just focus on meeting the Blade lead tomorrow. Don’t let yourself get distracted by people who don’t matter.”

Hank wanted to believe him. Maybe Bailey was right. Still, he couldn’t shake the uneasy feeling all night.

The next morning, Hank showed up at BlackOak with his assistant, nerves wound tight. He scanned the lobby for Reese, but didn’t see her anywhere. He let out a breath he hadn’t realized he was holding.

Maybe he really had been overthinking it.

His assistant stood beside him, barely daring to breathe. The whole room felt frozen.

Hank started to explain, but Matthew was already getting to his feet. “If you’re here about a partnership, I don’t think we have anything to discuss.”

“BlackOak doesn’t work with anyone who can’t tell right from wrong, or who treats our people badly.”

Matthew nodded toward the door. “Mr. Meyer, please see yourself out.”

Hank couldn’t get out of BlackOak fast enough. His mind replayed every time he’d misjudged Reese, and the cold look Matthew had given him.

He never would’ve guessed Matthew was the head of Blade. After seeing how he stood up for Reese, it was obvious—even if Reese wasn’t on the core Blade team, there was no way they’d ever get the partnership now.