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."

air. I had no authority to make

I added, going all

was too late. Morris signed with Axiom. Right

my regards," Whitfield said quietly as he left "And a word

might want to handle important negotiations

I stood in Victoria's

"Explain," she said.

said simply. "Whitfield

million for a company I valued

"Yes,"

"Why?"

wasn't prepared to walk away

true," she agreed.

word cut deeper than any physical

set you up to fail," Victoria continued, her tone

I blinked. "What?"

gave

"This was a test?"

Camille. I

"Then why?"

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

did 1

"You lost composure You made emotional

That's

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

started building Kane Industries, I lost a major contract negotiation. My first

opportunity

"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. A cold certainty that I would never allow myself

happens now?" I

every mistake. Study them.

prepare for

"Which is?"

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

life. Just

walked toward Dr. Reed's office 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 Someone she could never again ma

be no mercy.

me. I grabbed a crystal paperweight from my desk and hurled it

I called back, voice steady despite the

"Do you need assistance?"

"No. Leave me alone."

home from Victoria' Victoria would still be at dinner with Barrett, smoothly negotiating the deal I'd destroyed. Showing him what real business acumen looked like while

closed. Terms favorable. Full

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

I moved to my

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

body was lean

by Dr. Torres's work. My appearance crafted to project power and

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

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

wanting anyone to see the evidence of my

"Come in."

before returning to professional neutrality. Eight

she said, setting the tray down as if nothing were amiss. "With honey, as you prefer." "Thank you." I made no

at the door. "Even Ms. Victoria sometimes breaks things. The difference is, she makes sure

comment jarred me from

woman who embodied

Victoria would expect my complete breakdown

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

analysis of every business mistake. The second: a deeper examination of my emotional vulnerabilities during the negotiation. More honest. More

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

entered.

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