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

I added, going all in. "Eighty million,

it was too late. Morris signed with Axiom. Right there i Kane Industries' own

as

she might want to handle important negotiations

in Victoria's office,

"Explain," she said.

said simply. "Whitfield outmaneuvered

offered eighty million for a

"Yes,"

"Why?"

panicked. Because I wasn't prepared to walk away

true," she agreed. “And all

than any

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

I blinked. "What?"

Axiom's bid. I gave

"This was a test?"

is a test, Camille. I thought you understood

"Then why?"

time comes. She'll use every advantage, every dirty trick. I needed to see how you perform when everything is aga The logic

did

lost composure You made emotional decisions. You

That's

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

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

next opportunity with twice

"And did you succeed?"

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 to be outmaneuvered like

happens now?" I

you document every mistake. Study them.

prepare for

"Which is?"

it will come when you least expect it. When you're most

like life. Just like

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

be no mercy.

my bedroom wall, water splashing across expensive wallpaper. The sound wasn't enough to match the storm inside me. I grabbed a crystal paperweight from my

steady despite the chaos

"Do you need assistance?"

"No. Leave me alone."

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 I'd destroyed.

"Deal closed. Terms favorable. Full debrief

my misstep. The world continued

I moved to my

there. Eight months of training had

body was lean

Dr. Torres's work. My appearance crafted to

If I still retreated when

interrupted my thoughts. "Ms. Kane?" Mrs. Chen, the housekeeper.

wanting anyone to see the evidence of my outburst. But hiding the mess would

"Come in."

the destruction before returning to professional neutrality. Eight months in Victoria

prefer." "Thank you." I made

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

comment jarred me

breaking things? The woman who

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

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

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

for my meeting with Victoria. My reflection in the bathroom mirror showed dark circles under my eyes, carefully concealed. No physical evidence

entered.

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