SCORNED EX WIFE Queen Of Ashes (Camille and Stefan)

Chapter 27

Chapter 27

CAMILLE'S POINT OF VIEW

"Neurix Technologies," Victoria said, sliding the folder across her desk. "Twenty-

seven employees. Promising neural interface technology. Currently entertaining acquisition offers."

"And?" I asked, waiting for the catch. With Victoria, there was always a catch.

"And you'll be handling the acquisition." She leaned back, expression unreadable. "Alone."

My heart stuttered. After eight months of shadowing Victoria at Kane Industries, this was my first real test.

"Their valuation?"

"They're asking ninety million. They're worth sixty-

five, at most. I want them for fifty."

"When do negotiations begin?"

"Two hours. The meeting is set for eleven at our downtown offices."

My head snapped up. "Today? You're giving me two hours to prepare?"

hall, cold smile played at her mouth. “In business, opportunities rarely announce themselves weeks in advance. Besides, you've had eight months of preparation.

"Who am I negotiating against?"

"Marcus Whitfield."

The name hit me like a physical blow. Whitfield, legendary venture capitalist, notorious for destroying less experienced negotiators.

In my suite, I changed into a power suit, charcoal gray pinstripe, crisp

white blouse, three-

inch heels. The woman in the mirror looked confident, capable, born to command respect.

A perfect illusion.

The executive conference room was

already set up when I arrived. Through the glass walls, I saw the Neurix team and Whitfield-

tall, broad-shouldered, emanating authority.

The introductions

blurred past. Dr. Morris, Neurix CEO. His team. And Whitfield, whose handshake came with assessing eyes that told me everything. He was surprised to see me, not Victoria. An easier target.

For thirty minutes, I led a technical discussion about their patents and milestones, highlighting weaknesses. Morris and his team grew increasingly uncomfortable,

Then Whitfield struck.

"Axiom is offering eighty-

five million," Morris blurted. "With twenty percent contingent on Phase II results." "We're prepared to offer

sixty-five million, all cash, no contingencies," I countered.

Whitfield's smile was thin. "Sixty-five versus eighty-

five? No contest. And frankly, I'm surprised Victoria sent you with such an unprepared position."

The mention of Victoria stung exactly as he'd intended. He was playing me now, not just the Neurix team. The situation spiraled Victoria's target price seemed impossible. Even seventy million looked unrealistic "Wait," I said desperately. "Kane can offer seventy-

five million. All cash. No contingencies."

air. I had no authority to

I added, going all

with Axiom. Right there i Kane

Victoria my regards," Whitfield said quietly as he left "And a word of

she might want to handle

I stood in

"Explain," she said.

said simply. "Whitfield outmaneuvered me at every

a company I valued

"Yes,"

"Why?"

I wasn't

she agreed.

word cut deeper than any

you up to fail," Victoria continued,

I blinked. "What?"

representing Axiom's bid. I gave you impossible parameters. I wanted

"This was a test?"

I thought you understood that

"Then why?"

battle, you don't get to choose your conditions. Rose won't fight fair when the time comes. She'll use every advantage, every dirty trick.

how did

she said without hesitation. "You lost composure You made emotional decisions. You allowed Whitfield to manipulate

That's

continued, "you didn't break. You didn't run. You came back to face the consequences. That's

a major contract negotiation. My first real opportunity, squandered through Inexperience. "What did you

next opportunity with twice the

"And did you succeed?"

became the expectation, not the exception." Her gaze was measuring. "That's what separates winners from Something shifted inside me. The

now?"

you document every mistake. Study

them. And prepare for

"Which is?"

you least expect

life. Just like

into something stronger, sharpe Rose had spent years undermining me, ensuring I remained weak and pliable. Today's humiliation was just one more step in becoming someone she would never

be no mercy.

a crystal paperweight from my desk and hurled it a

back, voice steady despite the chaos

"Do you need assistance?"

"No. Leave me alone."

sank onto my bed, staring at the fractured mirror image. Not quite Camille Lewis anymore. Not fully Camille Kane yet. Caught between identities, between failure and redemption. The drive home from Victoria' Victoria would still be at dinner with Barrett, smoothly negotiating the deal I'd destroyed. Showing him what real business acumen looked like while I hid in my

"Deal closed. Terms favorable.

moving forward despite my misstep. The world continued turning, deals continued closing, money continued flowing. With or without my

I moved to my

the unbroken mirror there. Eight months of

body was lean

lessons. My face refined by Dr. Torres's work. My appearance crafted to project power and

of it mattered if the woman beneath these changes remained weak. If I still retreated when challenged, still doubted myself when pushed, still

knock interrupted my thoughts. "Ms. Kane?" Mrs. Chen, the housekeeper. "I've brought

evidence of my outburst. But hiding

"Come in."

in the destruction before returning to professional neutrality.

tray down as if nothing were amiss. "With honey, as you prefer." "Thank you." I made no excuses for

Ms. Kane..." she paused at the door. "Even Ms. Victoria sometimes

jarred me from

woman who embodied

laptop. Time to shift from emotional reaction to analytical response. Victoria would expect my complete breakdown of the failed negotiation tomorrow

misread the situation? What signals had I missed? How had he seen through my careful facade

a clinical analysis of every business mistake. The second: a deeper examination of my emotional vulnerabilities during

my meeting with Victoria. My reflection in the bathroom mirror showed dark circles under my eyes, carefully

entered.

The Novel will be updated daily. Come back and continue reading tomorrow, everyone!

Comments ()

0/255