The Rose He Killed novel Chapter 26

Chapter 26 Playing the Game

Chapter 26: Playing the Game

Bella POV

+25 Points?

The morning after my breakdown, I woke up with swollen eyes and a pounding headache. Maya was already in the kitchen making coffee when I emerged, and she took one look at my face before sliding a mug across the counter.

“You look like hell,” she said bluntly.

“I feel worse.” I wrapped my hands around the warm mug and took a long drink, grateful for the bitter burn. “Is Tom still asleep?”

“Angela took him to breakfast downstairs. I told her you needed to sleep in.” Maya leaned against the counter and studied me with those perceptive dark eyes. “You have the networking reception tonight. The one you can’t skip because half of Silverton’s business elite will be there.”

I’d forgotten about the reception. Of course there was a networking event, there was always a networking event at these summits. Drinks and fake smiles and strategic conversations, all while pretending my world hadn’t imploded yesterday.

“What time?” I asked, already dreading it.

“Seven. Which gives you ten hours to pull yourself together.” Maya’s voice softened. “Bella, you don’t have to go. You gave your keynote, you made your statement. You could skip the rest of the summit.”

“And let everyone think Caleb Black scared me away?” I/set down my coffee with more force than necessary. “Absolutely not. I’m going to that reception, and I’m going to network and smile and show every single person there that Hart Worldwide is here to stay.

“Even if it kills you?”

“Especially if it kills me.” I headed toward my bedroom, then stopped and turned back. “Maya? Thank you. For coming, for being here, for not judging me for falling apart.”

“That’s what best friends do.” She smiled, warm and genuine. Now go take a very long shower and put on your armor. The Iron Empress has a party to attend.”

I spent the day preparing like I was going into battle. A massage to work out the tension in my shoulders, a facial to reduce the swelling around my eyes, hair and makeup done by professionals who didn’t ask why I looked like I’d been crying. By the time I was finished, the woman in the mirror looked powerful and composed, every inch the successful CEO.

The dress I chose was deliberate: a floor-length gown in deep midnight blue that hugged every curve, with a high slit that showed just enough leg to be interesting and a neckline that was elegant without being revealing. Diamonds at my ears and throat, my mother’s necklace that I’d kept despite throwing away everything else from my old life. Sky-high heels that brought me to six feet tall and made me feel invincible.

“Wow,” Maya breathed when I emerged from my room. “You look like you could buy and sell everyone in that ballroom.”

<Chapter 26 Playing the Game

+25 Points?

“That’s the plan.” I checked my reflection one more time, smoothing imaginary wrinkles from the silk. “How do t look? Untouchable?”

“Completely untouchable.” Maya handed me my clutch. “Just remember to breathe, okay? And if it gets too much, text me and I’ll fake an emergency.”

“I’ll be fine.”

I kissed Tom goodbye, he was already in his pajamas watching cartoons with Angela, and headed down to the hotel ballroom where the reception was being held.

The moment I stepped through the doors, I felt eyes turn toward me.”Is that Bella Hart?” someone whispered, not quietly enough.

“The Iron Empress herself,” another voice murmured. “I heard she destroyed three companies last month.”

“I heard she’s planning to take on Black Enterprises directly.”

I smiled slightly and walked further into the room, my head high and my expression pleasant but distant. This was a performance, and I’d become very good at performing.

“Ms. Hart!” A man in an expensive suit approached with his hand extended. “Daniel Brooks, Brooks Financial. I caught your keynote yesterday. Brilliant analysis of the Asian markets.”

“Thank you, Mr. Brooks.” I shook his hand firmly. “Are you looking to expand into that region?”

“Potentially. I’d love to discuss Hart Worldwide’s acquisition strategies over drinks sometime.”

“Have your assistant contact mine.” I handed him my card, already scanning the room for the next conversation, the next connection, the next opportunity. “We’re always open to strategic partnerships.”

The evening continued like that, a carefully choreographed dance of networking and subtle power plays. I spoke with investors about opportunities, with CEOs about potential collaborations, with journalists about Hart Worldwide’s expansion plans. Everyone wanted a piece of me, wanted to be associated with the woman who’d built an empire from nothing.

I gave them my professional smile and carefully measured responses, all while hyperaware of the one person I was actively avoiding.

Caleb was across the ballroom, surrounded by his own crowd of admirers and business associates. I could feel him watching me even when I wasn’t looking directly at him. Every time I laughed at someone’s joke or touched a potential client’s arm in friendly conversation, I sensed his attention like a physical weight.

Good. Let him watch. Let him see what he’d thrown away, what I’d become without him.

“Ms. Hart, I don’t believe we’ve been formally introduced.” A woman’s voice, smooth as honey and twice as sweet. I turned to find a petite brunette in a red dress that left very little to the imagination. “I’m Victoria Lane. I’m sure you’ve heard of Lane Industries?”

I had. Lane Industries was a mid-sized investment firm that had been trying to break into the major leagues for years without much success. Victoria Lane was known more for her social connections than

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< Chapter 26 Praying the Game

her business acumen.

“Ms. Lane.” I shook her hand briefly. “What can I do for you?”

+25 Points

“I was hoping we could chat about the competitive landscape in Silverton.” Her smile was all smug. “It must be challenging, entering a market that’s so thoroughly dominated by established players like Black Enterprises.”

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