My Husband Is a Million Years Old Vampire-Chapter 103

Upon entering the room, immediately Valentina’s eyes scanned the room, taking in the seated figures. The atmosphere was thick with an unspoken understanding between them, one that she was clearly not a part of.

The two managers, Hudson and Camille, exchanged glances before offering a half-hearted bow, their expressions unreadable. Camille, the female manager, immediately stood up and stepped forward with a practiced smile, her tone laced with condescension.

"Director Valentina, we assumed you’d be too occupied on your first day to concern yourself with this matter," Camille said smoothly, gesturing toward the contract papers sprawled across the table. "Since Hudson and I have been handling this deal for months now, we thought it best not to trouble you with it. These kinds of negotiations can be quite intricate, and given your new position, we figured it would be overwhelming for you to jump in without context. So, we took the liberty of finalizing the last details on your behalf."

At that moment Valentina’s fingers twitched at her sides, but she kept her expression composed. They didn’t even bother to inform her?

She wasn’t naive. She knew exactly what Camille was doing—subtly asserting dominance, making it clear that she and Hudson saw her as an outsider. Someone unqualified to lead them.

Then Valentina let out a soft chuckle, tilting her head slightly.

"I appreciate your concern," she said, her voice steady.

"But as the director, I’d prefer to oversee any major decisions myself, regardless of how intricate they may be."

Immediately Camille’s smile faltered for just a second before she recovered.

"Of course, Director," she said, her voice syrupy.

"We only had your best interests in mind."

Valentina stepped further into the room, her gaze shifting toward the man sitting between them. He was dressed in an expensive suit, his presence oozing arrogance. This must be the owner of the company they were partnering with.

"Well," Valentina said, her voice firm, "since this deal is under Sterling Design, I believe it’s only right that I’m properly introduced to our esteemed business partner before proceeding with any agreements." ƒreewebɳovel.com

Then she turned her gaze to the man, waiting for his introduction.

’Spoiled brat.’

Hudson clenched his jaw, his fingers tightening around the armrest of his chair. He barely masked his irritation as he observed Valentina from across the table, it made his stomach churn.

’After all our efforts... all our hard work... after years of dedication to Sterling Design, this girl just waltzed in and claimed the position they both fought for?’

It was laughable.

’She didn’t earn this. She didn’t struggle for it. She didn’t bleed for it like Camille and I did.’

Hudson’s gaze flickered toward Camille, who sat composed, but he could see the flicker of disdain in her eyes as well. They both knew what was happening here.

Valentina Raymond.

Not Bernard, not Callum, not any name that should matter in the business world. No, she bore the name Raymond—which could only mean one thing.

She was some plaything.

The old man must have taken a liking to her. That was the only explanation. A nobody with no history in high-ranking corporate positions, suddenly stepping into the director’s seat? It wasn’t skill. It wasn’t merit. It was pure favoritism, perhaps she must also come from a good family.

And now, she had the audacity to question them?

At that moment in time Hudson fought the urge to roll his eyes. He should be the one sitting in that chair, leading the company. Not this undeserving little brat who probably had no idea what it even took to run a company like this.

He wouldn’t stand for it.

’Oh, she thinks she has power? Let’s see how long that lasts.’

At that moment, Valentina’s jaw tightened, but she took a deep breath, forcing herself to remain composed. Her fingers pressed against the polished surface of the table as she stared at Hudson and Camille, her gaze sharp and unwavering.

"What exactly gave you the right to assume I wouldn’t be able to handle such a deal?" Her voice was calm, but there was an unmistakable edge beneath it.

"Do I look incompetent to you? Do I seem like someone who doesn’t know what she’s doing?"

The weight of her words settled in the room, thick and suffocating. She didn’t raise her voice, but the controlled intensity behind it sent a clear message—she was not someone to be looked down upon.

Hearing her response Hudson and Camille visibly stiffened, exchanging a brief glance. They had underestimated her, assuming she would be too meek or inexperienced to stand her ground. They had been wrong.

Camille, quick to recover, forced a small, apologetic smile.

"We only meant to lighten your workload, Director Valentina," she said, her tone laced with forced politeness.

"Since today is your first day, we thought—"

"You thought wrong," Valentina cut in, her eyes narrowing.

Then Hudson exhaled sharply, shifting in his seat before giving a curt nod.

"We apologize, Director. It won’t happen again."

However Valentina didn’t blink.

"Make sure it doesn’t," she said coolly. "Because I won’t be this lenient next time. Today is my first day, but let’s be clear—this is the last time I’ll tolerate such nonsense."

At that moment The room fell into silence.

Hudson and Camille nodded stiffly, though she could still see the irritation lingering beneath their expressions. It didn’t matter to her. She had drawn the line.

Without another word, Valentina straightened her posture, signaling that the conversation was over.

Then Hudson and Camille bowed their heads reluctantly, their movements stiff and unwilling. It was clear that they weren’t apologizing because they wanted to, but because they had no choice. Their expressions remained tense, their jaws set in frustration, but they knew they had crossed a line.

Again Valentina observed them closely, her sharp gaze unwavering. She could see the way Camille’s fingers twitched slightly, as if itching to lash out with a rebuttal, and how Hudson’s lips pressed into a thin line, his pride taking a hit.

She let the silence stretch, making sure they felt the weight of their actions.

"Good," she finally said, her voice cool and controlled.

"Make sure this doesn’t happen again."

Neither of them responded, but they nodded—reluctantly, but they nodded nonetheless.

Only then did Valentina shift her gaze, her attention now turning toward the man sitting across the table—the owner of the company tied to this deal.