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

I added, going all

Morris signed with Axiom. Right there i Kane Industries' own conference

Whitfield said quietly as he left "And

time, she might want to handle important

stood in Victoria's office,

"Explain," she said.

"Whitfield outmaneuvered me at every

a company I valued at

"Yes,"

"Why?"

panicked. Because I wasn't

agreed. “And all

word cut deeper than any

fail," Victoria

I blinked. "What?"

I knew Whitfield was representing Axiom's bid. I gave you impossible parameters. I wanted to see how

"This was a test?"

Camille. I

"Then why?"

dirty trick. I needed to see how you perform when everything is aga The logic was brutally sound, but the

did 1

emotional

That's

didn't run. You came back to

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

the next opportunity with

"And did you succeed?"

from Something shifted inside me.

now?"

you document every mistake. Study them.

And prepare for your next

"Which is?"

assured, it will come when you least expect it. When you're most vulnerable.

life. Just like

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 becoming someone she would never recognize

be no mercy.

sound wasn't enough to match the storm inside me. I grabbed a crystal paperweight from my desk and hurled it a "Ms. Kane?" A

I called back, voice steady despite the chaos surrounding

"Do you need assistance?"

"No. Leave me alone."

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

Victoria: "Deal closed.

misstep. The world continued turning, deals continued closing, money continued

I moved to my

studying myself in the unbroken mirror there. Eight months of

body was lean

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

none of it mattered if the woman beneath these changes remained weak. If I still retreated when challenged, still doubted myself

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

not wanting anyone to see the evidence of my

"Come in."

entered, her eyes taking in the destruction before returning to professional neutrality. Eight months in Victoria Kane's household had taught

"With honey, as you prefer." "Thank you." I made no excuses for the mess. Just accepted the

Ms. Victoria sometimes breaks things. The difference is, she makes sure to aim better

comment jarred me from

who

analytical response. Victoria would expect my complete breakdown of

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

dawn, I'd finished two documents. The first: a clinical analysis of every business mistake. The second: a deeper examination of my emotional vulnerabilities during the negotiation. More honest. More

broken glass remained untouched as I dressed for my meeting with Victoria. My reflection in the bathroom mirror showed dark circles under my eyes, carefully concealed. No physical evidence of weakness Victoria

entered.

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