How could one man have such an effect on her?
Sarah clenched her fingers together beneath the table.
If she survived this meeting today, she swore she would consult a spiritual medium and ask how a normal human being could possess such a terrifying influence over another person.
Across the conference room, Martin's earlier confidence had completely vanished.
He sat far back in his chair now, almost shrinking behind one of his assistants as though hoping the man could shield him from what was about to happen.
Sebastian Monday, on the other hand, looked perfectly at ease.
He sat confidently at the center of the room, one leg crossed over the other, radiating the quiet authority of a man who had never lost a battle in his life.
His sharp eyes swept across the conference room slowly.
Then they landed on Sarah.
A faint smirk flickered across his lips.
It disappeared so quickly that anyone who blinked might have missed it.
But Sarah saw it.
And it made her stomach twist.
The representative of Shincity Estates suddenly stood and cleared his throat.
"The bidding process for the construction of Shincity's thirty-eight-floor five-star hotel and luxury towers on Bluewaters Island," he announced formally, "between Martini Constructions and S&S Constructions is now officially open."
He paused, glancing at both companies.
"We invite both parties to present their proposals and convince us why we should entrust them with the development of this landmark project."
The man ended his speech with a playful smirk, clearly enjoying the tension in the room.
Sarah slowly stood up.
She adjusted her blazer and walked toward the center of the conference room.
Her heart was pounding violently in her chest, but she forced confidence into her steps.
Standing before the panel of investors, she could almost feel Sebastian's eyes burning into her back.
But she refused to falter.
Not today.
She cleared her throat.
"Good morning, distinguished representatives of Shincity Estates," she began calmly.
"Respected colleagues and fellow competitors. My name is Sarah Arcadia, speaking on behalf of Martini Constructions."
She allowed her gaze to sweep confidently across the room.
"First, I would like to thank Shincity Estates for giving us the opportunity to present our vision for what will undoubtedly become one of the most iconic landmarks on Bluewaters Island."
Her voice grew steadier as she continued.
"At Martini Constructions, we believe that great buildings are more than concrete, steel, and glass. They are symbols of ambition, innovation, and human progress…"
Her presentation flowed smoothly.
Every point she had prepared the night before unfolded perfectly.
By the time she finished, the room had fallen silent.
Then
Clap.
The sharp sound of applause echoed from the corner of the room.
Everyone turned.
Sebastian Monday was clapping slowly.
A faint smile rested on his face.
At first the applause felt strange.
Then gradually, the rest of the room joined in.
Soon the conference hall was filled with thunderous applause.
Even Martin clapped weakly, though the tension in his face betrayed his unease.
But Sarah didn't feel relieved.
If anything…
Sebastian's applause made her more nervous.
Because something about that smile felt like the calm before a storm.
---
When the applause finally faded, Sebastian rose to his feet.
He moved toward the center of the room with the relaxed confidence of a man who knew the world belonged to him.
He stopped beside the presentation table and looked around the room.
"You might have the resources," he began calmly.
"The manpower. The talent. The technology required to execute a massive project."
His deep voice echoed through the conference hall.
"But if you don't have access to the land… or the legal authority to build on it…"
He paused.
"All those resources become completely useless."
The room fell into tense silence.
Everyone present understood the significance of his words.
Bluewaters Island was one of the most disputed pieces of land in the city.
Countless investors had tried—and failed—to secure full development permission there.
Even Shincity Estates themselves had only managed to obtain a temporary agreement after spending enormous amounts of money.
Sebastian reached into his briefcase.
Then he slowly pulled out two neatly laminated documents.
Gasps immediately rippled through the room.
He held the papers up casually.
Like a fisherman dangling bait in front of hungry prey.
The official authorization permits.
Not just development rights.
Full ownership approval for the land.
Shock exploded across every face in the conference room.
The Shincity representatives stared at the documents as if they were seeing a miracle.
At that moment, everyone already knew the outcome of the bid.
Sebastian Monday had just placed the most powerful card on the table.
Martin's head dropped.
This was not the first time he had lost to Sebastian.
But somehow the humiliation always hurt like the first time.
---
Hours later.
Sebastian stepped into his massive oval office.
The moment the door closed behind him, he ripped off his designer jacket and tossed it across the room.
The contract was his.
Yet strangely…
He felt empty.
He walked toward the glass cabinet and pulled out a bottle of Italian white wine.
His hands trembled slightly as he poured it into a crystal glass.
He drank it in one gulp.
But even the expensive wine couldn't calm the storm inside his chest.
Because one image refused to leave his mind.
Sarah Arcadia.
Her determined voice.
Her confident posture.
Her bright eyes.
He gripped the empty glass tightly.
"She still doesn't see it…" he muttered under his breath.
How could she not see the truth?
That incompetent fool Martin treated her like a servant.
Like she was nothing more than a convenient tool.
Sebastian inhaled slowly.
For years he had watched her work tirelessly beside a man who didn't deserve her.
But not for much longer.
His voice dropped into a quiet whisper.
"Soon, baby… very soon."
He leaned back in his chair, staring out at the glowing city skyline.
"I'm done waiting."