Chapter 93
Chapter 93:
Brinley offered Colin a measured smile, her tone edged with sarcasm. “Mr. Palmer, you make a valid point. But in the end, expertise is the solid ground beneath it all. If we can’t guarantee a safe track, then all the dazzling operations are nothing more than hollow talk p>
Her words landed cleanly, drawing a firm nod from Grayson. “Mrs. Moore, you’re absolutely right. Safety always comes first p>
Colin’s face hardened, though he chose not to push back.
Beside him, Milly’s nails dug into the silk of her dress as she watched Brinley sit at the center of attention, confidently exchanging ideas with seasoned professionals.
A pang twisted in Milly’s chest. She, too, had once envisioned herself in that role—tailored suit, commanding voice, admired in a boardroom.
Yet reality had stripped her of that dream, leaving her seated quietly at Colin’s side, reduced to little more than a decorative companion.
Envy coiled tight around Milly’s chest like a strangling vine, squeezing the air from her lungs.
What the hell had Brinley ever done to deserve all this?
Why was Brinley allowed to shine so brightly after leaving Colin, while she herself—no matter how fiercely she clawed forward—was still trapped in the shadows of others?
When the meeting wrapped up, Grayson gave his nod to Brinley’s proposal, leaving Colin’s expression stiff with suppressed anger.
𝘋оw𝘯𝗹𝗼𝗮𝗱𝘢𝖻𝗹𝗲 рD𝖥𝗌 o𝗻
Trailing after Colin, Milly slowed her steps. As they crossed paths with Brinley, she gave her a sharp bump with her shoulder, leaning in close to hiss, “Don’t get cocky. This project won’t fall into your hands p>
Brinley didn’t bother answering. Her calm gaze followed Milly’s retreating figure with detached coolness. A cold sneer tugged at her lips. Milly never understood that schemes couldn’t replace skill—true success came from ability, not manipulation.
Austin laid a steady hand on Brinley’s shoulder, his touch grounding her. “Come on,” he murmured, his voice warm beneath the undercurrent of tension. “Let’s go home p>
The city lights streaked past the car windows, and Brinley let her head fall back against the seat, weariness settling deep into her bones. This endless tug-of-war—hidden barbs and polite facades—drained her more than any sleepless night spent hunched over design drafts.
“You handled yourself well just now,” Austin finally said, breaking the heavy quiet. His tone carried a hint of pride. “Far more professional than I expected p>
“I came prepared,” Brinley murmured, pressing her fingertips to her aching temples. “But Colin’s team is formidable. The real contest hasn’t even begun—it’s going to be brutal p>
Austin turned his gaze toward her, warmth flickering in his eyes. “With me here, you have nothing to be afraid of. Even if the project slips away in the end, it’ll still sharpen your skills p>
The sincerity etched across his profile stirred something inside her, an unexpected warmth spreading through her tired heart.
Over the next few days, her routine blurred into relentless cycles—dawn departures, late-night returns, and hardly a moment left to breathe.
Austin made sure Miguel brought her food and stayed until she ate every bite, knowing how easily she forgot.
Her design draft gradually took shape, yet with the bidding deadline looming, it still remained incomplete.