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

all in.

was too late. Morris signed with Axiom.

said quietly as

want to handle

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

"Explain," she said.

said simply. "Whitfield outmaneuvered me

for a company I valued at

"Yes,"

"Why?"

panicked. Because I wasn't prepared to walk away with

agreed. “And all

word cut deeper than any physical pain from my combat

fail," Victoria continued,

I blinked. "What?"

Axiom's bid. I gave you impossible parameters. I wanted to

"This was a test?"

is a test, Camille. I thought

"Then why?"

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

did 1

made emotional decisions. You allowed Whitfield to manipulate your fear of

That's

continued, "you didn't break. You didn't run.

a major contract

next opportunity with

"And did you succeed?"

1 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?" I

document every mistake.

And prepare for your next

"Which is?"

you least expect it. When you're most vulnerable. Just

like life. Just

undermining me, ensuring I remained weak and pliable. Today's humiliation was just one more step in becoming someone she would

be no mercy.

wall, water splashing across expensive wallpaper. The 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 knock at my door. Security staff, doing their rounds. "Is

despite the chaos

"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

Victoria: "Deal closed.

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

I moved to my

the unbroken mirror there. Eight months of training had

body was lean

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

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

"Ms. Kane?" Mrs. Chen, the housekeeper.

anyone to see the evidence of my

"Come in."

before returning to professional neutrality. Eight

nothing were amiss. "With honey, as you prefer." "Thank you." I made

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

jarred me

breaking things? The woman who embodied control and precision?

Time to shift from emotional reaction to analytical response. Victoria would expect my complete breakdown of the failed negotiation tomorrow morning. For

Barrett. Where had I misread the situation? What signals had I missed? How had he seen

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

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 stood at her office window when I arrived, silhouetted against the

entered.

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