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 no authority to make that

I added, going all in. "Eighty million,

late. Morris signed with Axiom. Right there i Kane

as he left "And a word

she might want to handle important negotiations

I stood in

"Explain," she said.

"Whitfield outmaneuvered

a company I valued at

"Yes,"

"Why?"

wasn't prepared to walk away

true," she agreed. “And

word cut deeper than any physical

to fail," Victoria continued, her

I blinked. "What?"

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

"This was a test?"

Camille. I thought you understood that

"Then why?"

use every advantage, every dirty trick. I needed to see how you perform when everything is aga

did

made emotional decisions. You allowed Whitfield to manipulate

That's

You didn't run. You came back to face

a major contract negotiation. My first real

next opportunity

"And did you succeed?"

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 me. The humiliation was still then,

happens now?" I

every

them. And prepare for your

"Which is?"

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

life.

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

be no mercy.

expensive wallpaper. The sound wasn't enough to match the storm inside me. I grabbed a crystal paperweight from my desk and hurled

despite

"Do you need assistance?"

"No. Leave me alone."

The drive home from Victoria' Victoria would still be at

"Deal closed. Terms favorable. Full debrief tomorrow,

my failure. No reassurance. Just business, moving forward despite my misstep. The world continued turning, deals continued closing, money continued flowing. With or

I moved to my

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

body was lean

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

if the woman beneath these changes remained weak. If

knock interrupted my thoughts. "Ms. Kane?" Mrs.

evidence of my outburst. But hiding

"Come in."

destruction before returning to

you prefer." "Thank you." I made no

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

jarred me

things? The woman who embodied control

moved to my desk and opened my laptop. Time to shift from emotional reaction to analytical response. Victoria would expect my complete breakdown of the failed negotiation tomorrow morning. For hours I typed, capturing

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

The second: a deeper examination of my

meeting 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 arrived, silhouetted

entered.

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