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."

I had no

all in. "Eighty

late. Morris signed with Axiom. Right there

said quietly as he left "And a

might want to handle important

I stood in Victoria's office,

"Explain," she said.

"Whitfield outmaneuvered me at

million for a

"Yes,"

"Why?"

I panicked. Because I wasn't prepared to walk away with

agreed.

than any physical pain

to fail," Victoria continued,

I blinked. "What?"

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

"This was a test?"

I thought you understood

"Then why?"

Rose won't fight fair when the time comes. She'll use every advantage, every dirty trick. I needed to see how you perform when everything is aga The logic was brutally

did 1

hesitation. "You lost composure You made emotional decisions. You allowed Whitfield to manipulate your fear

That's

run. You came back to

the window. "When I first started building Kane Industries, I lost a major contract negotiation. My first

next opportunity

"And did you succeed?"

again. But differently. New mistakes. More sophisticated errors. Until eventually, success became the expectation, not the exception." Her gaze was measuring. "That's what separates winners from Something shifted inside

now?"

every mistake. Study

And prepare for

"Which is?"

determined. But rest assured, it will come when you least

like life. Just like

me, ensuring I remained weak and pliable. Today's humiliation was just one more step in becoming someone she would never recognize Someone she

be no mercy.

I grabbed a crystal paperweight from my desk and hurled it a "Ms. Kane?" A knock at my door. Security staff,

called back, voice steady despite the chaos surrounding me, "Just dropped

"Do you need assistance?"

"No. Leave me alone."

home from Victoria' Victoria would still

phone buzzed Victoria: "Deal closed. Terms favorable. Full debrief tomorrow,

business, moving forward despite my misstep. The world continued

I moved to my

Eight months of training had transformed me physically.

body was lean

My face refined by Dr. Torres's work. My appearance

remained weak. If I still retreated when challenged, still doubted myself when pushed,

Mrs. Chen, the

to see the evidence of my outburst. But hiding the mess would be hiding from my

"Come in."

her eyes taking in the destruction before returning to professional

honey, as you prefer."

may, Ms. Kane..." she paused at the door. "Even Ms. Victoria sometimes breaks things. The difference is,

jarred me from

who embodied control and precision? It seemed

to shift from emotional reaction to analytical response. Victoria would expect my complete breakdown of the failed negotiation tomorrow morning. For hours I

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

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

with Victoria. My reflection in the bathroom mirror showed dark circles under my eyes, carefully concealed. No physical evidence of weakness Victoria stood at her office window when I

entered.

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