Shattered Rose He Held On Tight novel Chapter 120

Chapter 120 Rock Bottom

The truth was, Oscar only approached Blaine’s small company to see if it might lead to a legitimate partnership with the Romero Corp.

Finished

He never imagined Blaine would end up taking the bait, losing face, and walking right into trouble.

Right now, all he wanted was to get the hell out of there as fast as possible.

Oscar forced a smile at the two locked in confrontation. “Mr. Romero, Ms. Hart–I just remembered something urgent. I’ll take my leave. We’ll catch up another time.”

He didn’t wait for a reply–he was out of that private room in a flash.

At that moment, Clarissa and Khloe seized the chance to step in, both working to calm Queena.

“Queena, we can talk this over in private. If Blaine really did something wrong, I’ll scold him myself.”

“Yeah, Queena, you didn’t have to hit my brother in front of everyone like that. It’s humiliating for him.” Khloe, young and brash, couldn’t hide her irritation.

Sure, Queena was impressive–but the Romeros weren’t exactly nobodies. How dare she?

Queena ignored them both, her eyes cutting instead toward the window–where Claudia and Sterling stood side by side, the picture of harmony.

“Mr. Romero, just now, Ms. Lancaster said you’d stand behind her decisions. Then tell me…?”

Sterling pulled Claudia up from where she’d been leaning, propping her chin in her hands to watch the show. He rubbed the spot on her elbow that had gone red against the sill, and said, unhurried, “Since Blaine was the fool, the Hart family heirloom should naturally be returned

intact.

“As for the charity donation Blaine made at tonight’s auction–multiply it by five, all in Ms. Hart’s name.

On top of that, Romero Corp will transfer Noah Tech’s cooperation deal to the Harts, and I’ll grant them an additional project as compensation. How’s that sound?”

Noah Tech–Blaine’s main company.

He’d built it himself, but it had always leaned on the Romero name. After a funding collapse, the only reason it hadn’t gone under was the Romeros’s backing.

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Chapter 120 Rock Bottom

And now Sterling’s words cut the lifeline clean through, handing the benefits straight to Queena. How could Blaine possibly accept?

“I don’t agree!”

Finished

Khloe stamped her foot in anger. “Sterling, how can you side with an outsider? The painting’s still here–just give it back, isn’t that enough?”

Claudia nestled into Sterling’s arms, her voice soft and teasing, laced with reproach.

“Blaine, when a man makes a mistake, he should own up to it. Be bigger than this-”

Sterling’s lips curved almost imperceptibly. Hidden from the crowd by his broad frame, he squeezed her hand gently.

Then, his gaze went ice–cold as it fixed on his fuming brother.

“Don’t disgrace the Romeros.”

Before Blaine could spit out another protest, Queena burst into laughter.

“Perfect! That’s exactly what I’d expect from Mr. Romero. You’re bold and decisive. I’m satisfied with this outcome–and I look forward to our future cooperation.”

She picked up the boxed painting, swept out with her bodyguards flanking her, then suddenly turned back.

Throwing Claudia a playful wink, she purred,

“Thank you, Ms. Lancaster, for speaking up today. Next time, dinner’s on me.”

Faced with such an invitation, Claudia didn’t act coy. “It would be my honor.”

Queena laughed again, a full–bodied sound that echoed down the hall.

Queena stormed in like a hurricane and swept out just as fast.

Her “heirloom” had taken a public detour, but not only was it unscathed–she’d milked the situation for everything it was worth.

The only casualty of the night was Blaine.

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