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."

hung in the air. I had

going all in. "Eighty million, final

was too late. Morris signed with Axiom. Right

Whitfield said quietly as he left "And a word

want to

in Victoria's

"Explain," she said.

said simply. "Whitfield outmaneuvered me

a company I valued

"Yes,"

"Why?"

I panicked. Because I wasn't prepared

true," she agreed. “And all

than any physical pain from

you up to fail," Victoria continued, her tone

I blinked. "What?"

Neurix specifically because I knew Whitfield was representing Axiom's bid. I gave you impossible

"This was a test?"

is a test, Camille. I thought you understood that

"Then why?"

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. I needed to see how you perform when everything is aga The logic

did

You made emotional decisions. You

That's

didn't break. You didn't run. You came back to face the consequences.

the window. "When I first started building Kane Industries, I lost a major contract negotiation. My first real opportunity, squandered through Inexperience.

next opportunity with twice the

"And did you succeed?"

was measuring. "That's what separates winners from Something shifted inside me. The humiliation was still then, but beside it grew something

happens now?" I

you document every mistake.

prepare for your

"Which is?"

when you least

like life.

I walked toward Dr. Reed's office later, something crystallized inside me. Victoria had engineered today's failure as a forging fire, heating the metal of my character to shape it 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

be no mercy.

enough to match the storm inside me. I grabbed a crystal paperweight from my desk and hurled it a "Ms. Kane?" A knock

steady despite the chaos surrounding

"Do you need assistance?"

"No. Leave me alone."

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 room throwing things

Victoria: "Deal closed. Terms favorable. Full debrief

forward despite my misstep. The world continued turning, deals

I moved to my

in the unbroken mirror there. Eight months of training had transformed

body was lean

combat lessons. My face refined by Dr. Torres's work. My appearance crafted to

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

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

hesitated, not wanting anyone to see the evidence of my outburst. But

"Come in."

in the destruction before returning to professional neutrality. Eight months in Victoria Kane's household

setting the tray down as if nothing were amiss. "With honey, as you prefer." "Thank you." I made no excuses for the mess. Just accepted the service as my due.

"Even Ms. Victoria sometimes breaks things. The difference is, she makes

comment jarred

woman who

to analytical response. Victoria would expect my complete

What signals had I missed? How had he seen through my careful facade to the insecurity

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

carefully concealed. No physical evidence

entered.

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