SWNOVELS Chapter CHAPTER 82
82 Underestimated Brilliance
Alex sat at the dinner table, his mind still processing the events of the evening. It had been intended as a simple dinner to solidify partnerships, but the atmosphere had shifted unexpectedly. With a hint
annoyance, he reflected on how his plans to discuss business were thwarted. “I didn’t even feel comfortable bringing it up. I didn’t want to make her think I was only after her connections.”
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As the evening unfolded, Alex remained a background figure, blending into the shadows while Tom Gelding, visibly flustered, tried unsuccessfully to steer the conversation towards business. The agenda he had meticulously prepared remained untouched, forcing him to reconsider another meeting. He couldn’t help but question his decision to present Emma with flowers, wondering if it had been too forward.
“Why did you send her flowers in the first place?” Tom Gelding inquired, still fixated on the incident. Emma’s ease and grace in refusing the gesture had left a lasting impression.
Alex found himself at a loss. He had underestimated Emma’s presence. In the past, she had seemed unremarkable, but now, she was a different person entirely–a transformation he had failed to notice.
Tom Gelding, giving Alex a skeptical look, reminded him of Emma’s accomplishments. “Didn’t your meet her at an event not too long ago? Everyone thought she got the vice president’s position by playing a certain angle. But she’s really got the chops. If you’re treating her like some trophy wife, then you’re the foolish one.
Alex was taken aback by these revelations. The Emma he knew was a mere homemaker, not the business powerhouse Tom Gelding described. This new image of Emma was like peeling back layers of silk to reveal a hidden treasure.
A sense of panic washed over Alex. Would he come to regret not seeing Emma’s true capabilities earlier? But then, another thought struck him. Their marriage had never been on solid ground. Perhaps this realization was simply a part of their fate.
Alex excused himself, leaving Tom Gelding to contemplate a potential partnership with Emma. He felt a spark of curiosity about Emma’s newfound prowess and her true nature.
Later, Alex observed Emma defusing a tense situation with a colleague. Jada stepped in to defend Emma, prompting Alex to reconsider intervening. This observation dispelled Alex’s newfound curiosity. Emma’s interactions, while professionally adept, seemed to lack a crucial element of interpersonal skill.
Alex left, his thoughts about Emma clouded with doubt. Unbeknownst to him, Emma was aware of his presence and his lingering thoughts.
Inga, unable to contain her resentment, confronted Emma. “Do you realize how important today was? Instead of discussing collaborations, you were chatting about other things. You’re supposed to be making money and striking deals, not expanding your social circle.”
Emma remained silent, prompting Inga to continue her tirade. But Jada intervened, defending Emma
82 Underestimated Brilliance
against Inga’s baseless accusations.
Jackson, knowing Emma’s competence, supported Jada’s defense. Despite their efforts, Inga remained unyielding, her disdain for Emma and Jada growing.
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Inga, feeling threatened by Emma’s and Jada’s success, challenged them. “I might not have what you two have, but I’ve reached my position through my own merits. Let’s see how long you can keep up your charade.”
As the day drew to a close, Alex’s thoughts remained conflicted, while Emma, bolstered by her friends
support, prepared to face whatever challenges lay ahead.