Chapter 75

ARIANA'S POV

I left the meeting feeling like a deflated balloon, my confidence and self-worth leaking out of me like air from a puncture. Odette's poise and composure had highlighted my own inadequacies, and I couldn't shake off the feeling of jealousy that had taken up residence in my heart. Why was Rob spending time with her? What did she have that I didn't?

As I drove home, my mind was a jumble of conflicting emotions. I questioned everything - my feelings for Rob, the impending failure of Vanderbilt Holdings, and my own relevance in the business world. Years ago, I had been the one to save the company and expand it; now, we had to rely on Odette's cunning and ambition. It was a bitter pill to swallow. I was now faced with the possibility that I was obsolete and could no longer do anything to help our financial situation. What had happened to me? I was Ariana who had turned rooms cold!

The next day, I woke up feeling particularly blue and lonely. I had still not gotten over the f