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."

words hung in the air. I had no authority to make

going all in. "Eighty

signed with Axiom. Right there i Kane Industries' own

my regards," Whitfield said quietly as he

she might want

I stood in Victoria's office,

"Explain," she said.

"Whitfield outmaneuvered me at every

offered eighty million for a

"Yes,"

"Why?"

wasn't prepared to

agreed.

word cut deeper than any physical pain from my

to fail,"

I blinked. "What?"

I gave you

"This was a test?"

a test, Camille. I

"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 sound, but the humiliation remained burning in

did 1

"You lost composure You made emotional decisions. You

That's

break. You didn't run. You came back to

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

opportunity with

"And did you succeed?"

expectation, not the exception." Her gaze was measuring. "That's what separates winners from Something shifted inside me. The humiliation was still then, but beside it grew something harder. A cold certainty that I would

now?" I

you document every mistake. Study them.

them. And prepare for

"Which is?"

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

like life. Just like

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 Someone she could never again ma handed. Next time, I would be the predator,

be no mercy.

the storm inside me. I grabbed a

voice steady despite the chaos surrounding me,

"Do you need assistance?"

"No. Leave me alone."

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

phone buzzed Victoria: "Deal closed. Terms

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

I moved to my

Eight months of training had transformed me physically.

body was lean

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

weak. If I still retreated

interrupted my thoughts. "Ms. Kane?" Mrs. Chen, the

anyone to see the evidence of my outburst. But

"Come in."

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

she said, 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

Ms. Victoria sometimes breaks things. The difference

comment jarred me

The woman who embodied control and precision? It

Victoria would expect

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

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

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 arrived,

entered.

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

Comments ()

0/255