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

all in. "Eighty million,

Axiom. Right there i Kane Industries'

quietly as

want to handle important

hours later, I stood in Victoria's office, waiting for

"Explain," she said.

I said simply. "Whitfield outmaneuvered me at every

for a company I

"Yes,"

"Why?"

I wasn't prepared to walk away with

agreed. “And all

word cut deeper than any physical pain from

up to fail," Victoria continued, her tone unchanged.

I blinked. "What?"

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

"This was a test?"

I

"Then why?"

battle, 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 was brutally sound, but the

did 1

lost composure You made emotional decisions. You allowed Whitfield to manipulate

That's

didn't run. You came back

a major contract negotiation. My

the next opportunity

"And did you succeed?"

failed 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 me. The humiliation was still then, but beside it grew something harder.

now?"

you document every mistake.

prepare for your

"Which is?"

will come when you

life. Just like

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

be no mercy.

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

steady despite the chaos surrounding me, "Just dropped

"Do you need assistance?"

"No. Leave me alone."

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 closed. Terms favorable.

moving forward despite my misstep. The world continued turning,

I moved to my

the unbroken mirror there. Eight months of training had transformed

body was lean

My face refined by Dr. Torres's

weak. If I still

Mrs. Chen, the housekeeper. "I've brought your

my outburst. But hiding the mess would be hiding from

"Come in."

to professional neutrality. Eight months in Victoria Kane's household

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

Ms. Victoria sometimes

comment jarred

Kane, breaking things? The woman who embodied control and precision?

to analytical response. Victoria would expect my complete breakdown of the failed

signals had I missed?

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

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 against the morning light. She didn't

entered.

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