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."

the air. I had no authority to make

I added, going all in. "Eighty million, final

was too late. Morris signed with Axiom. Right there i Kane

Whitfield said quietly as he left

want to handle important negotiations

hours later, I stood in Victoria's office,

"Explain," she said.

I said simply. "Whitfield outmaneuvered me at every

offered eighty million for a company I valued

"Yes,"

"Why?"

I wasn't prepared to walk away

she agreed. “And

deeper than any physical pain from my

set you up to fail," Victoria

I blinked. "What?"

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

"This was a test?"

I

"Then why?"

when the time comes. She'll use every advantage, every dirty

did 1

lost composure You made emotional decisions. You allowed

That's

didn't break. You didn't run. You came back to face the consequences.

"When I first started building Kane Industries, I lost a major contract

opportunity with twice the

"And did you succeed?"

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

now?"

every mistake. Study

And prepare for

"Which is?"

assured, it will come when you least expect it.

like life.

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

be no mercy.

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

I called back, voice steady despite the chaos surrounding

"Do you need assistance?"

"No. Leave me alone."

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,

"Deal closed. Terms favorable. Full debrief tomorrow,

No reassurance. Just business, moving forward despite my misstep. The world continued turning, deals continued closing,

I moved to my

there. Eight months of training had transformed

body was lean

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

weak. If I still retreated when

Mrs. Chen, the housekeeper.

the evidence of my

"Come in."

Chen entered, her eyes taking in the destruction before returning to professional neutrality. Eight months in Victoria Kane's household had

down as if nothing were amiss. "With honey, as you prefer." "Thank you." I made no excuses for the mess. Just

"Even Ms. Victoria sometimes breaks things. The difference is, she

jarred

breaking things? The woman who embodied control and precision?

desk and opened my laptop. Time to shift from emotional reaction to analytical response. Victoria would expect my complete

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

business mistake. The second: a deeper

bathroom mirror showed dark circles under my eyes, carefully concealed. No

entered.

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