Chapter 13 Rivals
Claire greeted Frank Porter with a polite smile, though inwardly she bristled at the sight of her business rival. Aschool Ver AMD, Frankexuded confidence, but Claire his acties all too well. Despite her dislike for him, she maintained a professional demeanor. Hit’s been a while, Claire,” Frank remarked, his tone casual ver calculated.
Clare returned the smile, herexpressionserne. “Indeed, it has, Frank Time flies, doesn’t it?”
Frankcaseyebrow, curiosity evident in his gaze. “I must admit, I was surprised to see you reappear after three years of absence. Where did you disappear lo?” Clair took a sip of herchampagne, her eyes tied on Frank’s. She had a way of making people uncomfortable with her gaze, and Frank was no exception. He shifted uncomfortably and cleared his throat, avoiding her direct state,
“I needed some time off,” Claire replied evenly, her voice betraying nothing. “Why? Miss me?
Frankie mockingly “oh, very much so I miss our rivalry, but it seems like our rivalries are probably come to an end.”
she sunched her brows wondering what he meas by that. “What do you mean?a
Frank chuckled, though there was a mocking edge to histone. “Well, Claire, if it wasn’t for your little hans, perhaps Venus wouldn’t have had the chance to rise to is current level.”
Claire raised an eyebrow, unimpressed by Frank’s sarcasm. “Venus may have made strides, but it will never reach the same level as Metacotes. You do know every people in this earth are using Metacortex compared to Venus, right?”
“And that will soon be changed. Frank’s smick widened, his arrogance on full display “hit you low, Claire, you underestimate the power of Venus. We have come a long way from being mere rivals Soon, we’ll surpass Metacotex and claim our rightful position at the top of the tech industry.”
A wry smile playing on Claire lips as he spoke. His words, however, only seemed to deepen his from. “What’s so funny?” he asked, his tone curt.
Claire’s chuckle persisted as she replied, “Oh, nothing. You just said something amusing about Venus taking over Metarottex’s place.”
Frank’s frown deepened at her response. He didn’t like being underestimated, especially by someone like Claire.
“Don’t underestimate Venus,” be retorted, his voice tinged with arogance. “They’re partnering with HP, after all. How does it feel to be betrayed by your own.
Claire met his gaze calmly, though she felt the urge to glare at him. Instead, she kept her composure and replied, “I don’t need HP to defeat Venus. And at least I’m not stealing someone else’s idea.”
Franklaughed dismissively. “I don’t care where the opportunity came from, Robert came to me openly, offering his collaboration. I saw a chance, and I took it.”
Claire’s brows faroused in disbelier. She hadn’t expected that response from Frank So, you’re just going to throw ethics out the window?” she asked, her voice tinged with incredulity.
Frank shrugged, his expression unapologetic. “Business is business, Claire. You know that as well as anyone.”
“You realize you are stealing my ideas, right?” she said, her voice laced with frustration.
Frank chuckled, unfazed by her accusation. “Stealing? Me? Your people willingly shared them with me.”!
Claire’s grip tightened on her champagne glass, the delicate crystal threatening to shatter in her hand, “I could sue you for this,” she threatened, her voice trembling with anger.
Frank laughed again, a cold, mocking sound. “Go ahead, Claire. But good luck proving that I stole anything. Besides, I released the software first. If anyone’s guilty of stealing ideas, it’s you. Desperate to bring Metacortexback to tame,bub?
“Same old, Venus, huh? Couldn’t keep things original. Tell me Frank, does your company run out of creative people? Cause it seems like you always failed to create
Frank throw Claire a glared as she said that. “Be careful on what you are talking, Claire.”
Claire smirked, “I’m just telling the truth. Remember that back then you tried to copy my ideas even when as already releasing and two months later you did the same thing?
“Yes, I remember but as I said that was the past and now, Vanus are more capable to create, and I am positive that my company could take over your spot. A little note that you should be careful who you trust, Claire,”
Claire gritted herteeth, struggling to maintain her composure in the face of Frank’s arrogance, “You will regret this, Frank,” she warned, her voice low and dangerous
“We will see about that, Frank replied with a smirk, his tone dripping with confidence
Meanwhile, across the room, Alex watched Claire with a concerned frown. He could tell from the set of her pow and the fire in her eyes that the conversation with the man known as Frank, was not going well.
He knew that look all too well, it was the same one she wore whenever she encountered something she didn’t lilar, including sering Alex
Alex sat across from his grandfather’s acquaintance, but his mind was elsewhere. He struggled to focus on the conversation, has thoughts consumed by Claire and the mysterious man she had been talking to earlier. Despite his efforts to engage, his responses were automatic, his smile and nods masking his distracted state After a few moments, Alex impulsively intermpted the conversation. “I’m sorry, I just remembered I need to speak with a friend. I’ll be right back,” he said, from his sat before the man could respond. The man modded understandingly. “Of course, we can pickup where we left off later,” he replied, watching as Alex hurried away
Making, his way through the crowded room, Alex scanned the area until he spotted clae, with a seuse of urgency, he approached het, cutting through her comeration with another arquaintance.
П
“There you are, claire! I have been looking for you,” Alex said, his tone a mixture of tellet and determination
claise tumed to him, het expression a blend of confusion and surprise, she opened her month to respond, but Alexshot her a quick glance, silently mugling her to play along.
Claire stood beside Alex, herexpression a misture of confusion and imitation, She glanced at lidi, silently miging him to explain, but Alex Ignore her as he looford towards the man in front of Clair. claire couldn’t fathom what Alex was up to
The man standing before them extended his hand towards Alex. “I’m Frank Porter, CHout Venus AMD,” he introduced lilimself, his tone confident.
Alex shook his hand firmly. “Nice to meet you, Frank,” he replied smoothly, his demeanor calin and conqussed.
Frank turned his attention to Clalie, his expression slightly puzzled. “Do you guys know each other?” he inquires, his gaze shifting between claite and Alex.
Before Claire could respond, Alex jumped in “Claite and 1 are business partners,” he said, his tone casual but fimm.
Claire’s eyes widened slightly in surprise as she tumed to Alex, a mixture of disbelief and annoyance coussing her features.
They hadn’t discussed revealing their partnership to anyone yet let alone to a man like Frank, Claire shot Alex a glane, silently reprimanding him for his sudden announcement