Chapter 12: Tense meeting
Inside the conference hall...
Zack entered, his smile strained as he greeted Theodore, suppressing his mounting unease. The meeting was on the verge of starting, yet the presentation remained unfinished.
What he heard from Amy was both shocking and infuriating. However, he maintained his cool, reminding himself now was not the time to lose his composure. All he could do at this point was to wait for Amy to arrive with the presentation file ready.
He forced another smile, settling into a plush chair. "Mr. Reid," he began with a gentle tone, "I hope you wouldn’t mind waiting for a few more minutes. My secretary will bring coffee. Perhaps some snacks to tide us over?"
Theodore’s response was cold, "The meeting is what interests me, not refreshments."
Zack forced a chuckle. "Let me extend my hospitality. A cup of coffee will perk us up, wouldn’t you agree?"
Theodore sighed a concession. He turned to Skyler and launched into a hushed conversation. Zack stole a glance at his watch, the ticking seconds amplifying his anxiety. The pressure to ensure the meeting’s success weighed heavily on him, knowing that any further delay could jeopardize their professional standing.
A tense silence stretched across the conference hall before Ivy entered with a confident stride. "Hello, Mr. Reid," she greeted, extending a hand toward Theodore. "I’m Ivy Hill."
Theodore offered a curt handshake. "Miss Hill," he acknowledged. "We’re all very excited about this project," Ivy continued, sitting down in her seat, "and we hope you’ll be impressed by our fresh ideas." "I am hopeful too, Theodore replied, "but I can’t help but notice the delay. Is there an issue, Mr. Hudson?" His gaze moved to Zack, a flicker of doubt clouding his expression. Zack’s carefully constructed composure faltered for a moment. Before he could stammer out a response, Ivy intervened. "Zack, perhaps we should begin the presentation," she suggested, her eyes flashing with a purposeful glint. She was confident that the meeting would be canceled due to the delay and that Bella would face severe consequences for her negligence.
"Absolutely," Zack fumbled for agreement. "There’s still a little time. Let’s have some coffee first. Ah, and speaking of coffee..." He gestured towards the doorway with forced enthusiasm. "The coffee has arrived."