Too Late to Hold Me Back novel Chapter 1173

Of course, before their scheduled meeting with Nathaniel Rhodes, Mira and Owen had to show the drafts to Soren Tate and their core team to strategize their next moves.

Upon seeing Soren, Owen pulled out the design document for "Clash of Crowns" and handed it over. "I designed this game."

"You designed it, Mr. Lance?"

The division leads echoed in unison, their tones dripping with skepticism.

Although Owen had stepped down as the active president of the tech division, he remained the co-founder of Solflare Group. Out of sheer habit, the staff still addressed him formally, while reserving 'Boss' strictly for Mira.

"Heh, you're not trying to steal the boss's thunder, are you?"

Soren asked with a knowing laugh.

The other managers shared the exact same thought, but none dared to voice it aloud. After all, they weren't as tight with the executives as Soren was.

Owen looked exasperated. "...You guys really have that little faith in me?"

"While your grip on the corporate empire commands our utmost respect, the boss is the true visionary here.

No offense, Mr. Lance, but designing a game from scratch probably isn't in your wheelhouse."

Another manager chuckled as he spoke.

Owen let out a defeated sigh. "I'm ruined. Utterly ruined. I can't even steal a sliver of credit around here."

"The boss's raw talent is untouchable. Nobody could fake that,"

Soren said, flipping through the pages with a grin.

"Let me keep a shred of my dignity, alright? Looks like I need to step up my game, or I'll be pushed out of the inner circle before long.

Honestly, the pressure of dating a genius is suffocating."

Mira finally stepped in to mediate. "Alright, break it up. A little banter keeps things lively, but as long as we all crush it in our respective roles, nobody is getting replaced."

She smoothly redirected the focus from her romance with Owen back to the work, diffusing the lingering playfulness.

But Owen knew the truth. There was no shortage of brilliant young men harboring a secret crush on Mira. It was only natural; she was stunning, brilliant, and utterly captivating. It would be weirder if people didn't fall for her.

Yet, Owen remained confident. Even if he sometimes felt he paled in comparison to her blinding light, he knew he wasn't someone others could easily surpass.

Besides, he had the undeniable advantage of being her fellow protégé under the same master. Their mentor, Jordan Ellis, was fully on his side, actively pushing them together, despite how gruff the old man usually acted toward him.

Truth be told, Owen's initial confession to Mira had been heavily prompted by Jordan's blunt warning: "If you don't make a move soon, she's going to be snatched up by someone else, and you'll be left choking on dust."

The old man had been absolutely right. If he had hesitated even a second longer, Mira might have ended up as Dominic West's wife.

Dominic was a formidable and relentless rival. Even now, Owen couldn't forget the sheer terror of almost losing her during that chaotic ordeal.