The Rose He Killed novel Chapter 20

Chapter 20 The Submit

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Chapter 20: The Submit

Bella pov

The walk from the lounge to the stage felt like miles. I could hear the crowd murmuring as I approached, could feel hundreds of eyes tracking my movement. And somewhere in that sea of faces, Caleb was watching.

I stepped onto the stage and walked to the podium, my heels clicking in the sudden silence. The lights were bright enough that I couldn’t see individual faces in the audience, which was both a blessing and a curse. I couldn’t see Caleb’s reaction, couldn’t gauge whether he recognized me or if the years had changed me enough that I was unrecognizable.

“Good afternoon,” I said, my voice clear and strong. “My name is Bella Hart, CEO and founder of Hart Worldwide. Few years ago, I had forty-seven dollars, a suitcase, and a dream that everyone told me was impossible.”

I launched into my speech, telling a carefully edited version of my story. The girl from nothing who’d worked her way through business school. The junior analyst who’d spotted opportunities everyone else missed, the entrepreneur who’d built an international empire from scratch.

I didn’t mention being thrown out by my family. I didn’t mention the pregnancy or the wedding night that destroyed my life. I didn’t mention Caleb at all, though every word was aimed at him like an arrow.

“People will tell you that you need connections to succeed,” I continued, gaining momentum. “That you need family money or the right last name or someone to open doors for you. I’m here to tell you that’s a lie. What you need is vision, determination, and the willingness to bet everything on yourself when no one else will.”

The audience was leaning forward now, engaged and listening. I could feel the energy in the room shifting, could sense that I had them exactly where I wanted them.

“Hart Worldwide didn’t succeed because I had advantages. It succeeded because I had something to prove.” I paused, letting that sink in. “And in business, there’s no greater motivation than people telling you that you can’t.”

Applause rippled through the room, and I allowed myself a small smile.

“In the last year, Hart Worldwide has acquired forty-two companies across three continents. We’ve restructured failing businesses into profitable assets, identified opportunities in emerging markets that established firms overlooked, and built a reputation for seeing value where others see risk.” I clicked to the next slide, showing our growth trajectory. “We started with nothing. Today, we’re valued at five hundred million dollars and growing.”

More applause, louder this time. I was winning them over, and it felt like vindication.

“Now we’re expanding into North America, specifically here in Silverton.” I smiled, sharp and deliberate. “Some people might see that as aggressive. I see it as inevitable. Hart Worldwide goes where the opportunities are, regardless of who’s already there or who might feel threatened by our presence.”

That was a direct shot at Caleb, and everyone in the room knew it. I heard murmurs ripple through the crowd, people shifting in their seats.

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< Chapter 20. The Submit

+25 Points

“Competition makes us better,” I continued. “It forces us to innovate, to push boundaries, to prove our worth every single day. So to the established players in this market, I say this:.welcome to the new landscape. Hart Worldwide is here to stay, and we’re just getting started.”

The applause was thunderous now, and I stepped back from the podium, letting it wash over me. I’d done it. I’d stood on this stage and claimed my place in this world, and no one sould take it away from me.

As the applause died down, I took questions from the audience. Most were about acquisition strategies and market analysis, easy questions I could answer in my sleep. But then someone asked the question I’d been dreading.

“Ms. Hart, there are rumors that you have personal history with some of Silverton’s business elite. Do you think that will affect Hart Worldwide’s ability to operate in this market?”

I smiled, cold and controlled. “My personal life is exactly that, personal. Hart Worldwide’s success speaks for itself. Anyone who wants to focus on rumors instead of results is welcome to do so while we dominate the market.”

The response was perfect, professional, exactly what I’d practiced. But my hands were shaking behind the podium, and I was grateful when Jennifer signaled that time was up.

“Thank you all for your time,” I said, stepping away from the microphone. “I look forward to working with many of you in the coming months.”

I walked off stage to another round of applause, my legs somehow still working despite feeling like they might give out any second. Jennifer met me in the wings with a huge smile.

“Bella, that was incredible! The media is already requesting interviews, and I’ve had three companies ask about meetings before the day is over.”

“Schedule them for next week.” I accepted the water bottle she thrust at me and drank deeply. “Right now, I need five minutes alone.”

I found an empty conference room and locked myself inside, leaning against the door as the adrenaline finally crashed. I’d done it. I’d faced down the entire Silverton business community and proven I belonged here.

But I still hadn’t faced Caleb.

My phone buzzed with a text from Maya: Saw clips of your speech online. You were AMAZING. How are you feeling?

I started to type a response, then stopped as I heard voices in the hallway outside. Male voices, one of them sending ice down my spine because I’d recognize it anywhere, even after many years.

“I need to speak with her.”

Caleb. That was Caleb’s voice, right outside this door.

“Mr. Black, I’m sure Ms. Hart is very busy,” someone else replied, probably hotel staff. “Perhaps you could schedule a meeting through her assistant?”

“I don’t want a meeting, I want five minutes. Just five minutes.”

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