Free Web NovelChapter 66: Chapter 66
"We restructured the entire acquisition," I said. "We focus on EcoVenture first. We acquire them, secure the patents, and then use those patents as leverage to negotiate with the other two companies. Their logistics networks suddenly become less valuable when we can deploy sustainable tech through established channels faster than they can."
"You want to cherry-pick the deal structure," Whitmore said.
"I want to maximize our ROI and our strategic positioning," I corrected. "Which, yes, involves restructuring the approach."
Christian nodded slowly. "I like it. Sophie, take point on the EcoVenture negotiation. Assemble your team. I want you to lead this."
Whitmore’s jaw tightened slightly, but he didn’t argue. Not with Christian sitting there with absolute certainty in his expression.
Over the next several days, I learned what it felt like to have actual authority. I built a negotiation team, crafted our pitch, and reached out to EcoVenture’s founders personally.
The founders turned out to be two people named Alex and Jordan who cared more about seeing their innovations actually implemented than about maximizing profit. They were wary of being absorbed by a massive corporation and having their technology shelved in some corporate portfolio.
I made them a promise. "We’re going to implement these technologies. We’re going to get them to market faster than anyone else could. We’re going to work with you to make sure the vision behind these patents gets realized."
I didn’t say it was because we had werewolf resources and enhanced capabilities. I just implied that Knight Industries had project management and supply chain advantages that would accelerate their timeline dramatically.
They believed me enough to accept our offer at fifteen percent below the asking price, with guaranteed continuing roles for both Alex and Jordan in product development. They cared more about seeing their work succeed than about extracting maximum capital.
By Wednesday, we had the EcoVenture acquisition locked.
By Thursday, I’d used the patents as leverage exactly like I said. The other two logistics companies suddenly realized they were negotiating from a weaker position. Knight Industries didn’t need them the same way anymore. We could build our own distribution network around the sustainable tech patents.
Their asking prices dropped significantly.
Friday morning, I walked into the executive boardroom and closed the deal. All three companies restructured for maximum advantage, with a total acquisition cost that was forty-three million dollars below our original budget, positioning us as industry leaders in sustainable technology.
The savings alone made some older executives pale.
The celebration started in the boardroom with champagne. Even Whitmore, grudgingly, admitted that the strategy was "exceptional." Connor caught my eye and smiled like he was proud of me.
Christian pulled me into his office afterward, closing the door behind us with deliberate slowness.
"You were magnificent," he said, backing me against his desk. His eyes were dark with something that made my pulse quicken. "Watching you demolish their objections. Rebuild that entire acquisition strategy. Negotiate like you were born to it."
"Christian—"
"Do you have any idea how attractive competence is?" he asked, his voice dropping lower. His hands found my waist, and suddenly the desk behind me felt very solid. "Watching you command that boardroom. Prove them all wrong. Make them see what I already knew."
His mouth found the curve of my neck, and I felt the heat of him, the intensity of our bond flaring hot and bright. My hands found the lapels of his suit jacket, and then—
His phone buzzed.
We ignored it.
It buzzed again. And again.
"Connor," Christian muttered against my skin. "Threatening violence if I’m late to the conference call."
I laughed despite the desire coursing through me. "We should probably—"
"Probably," he agreed, though he didn’t move.
We spent the next three minutes straightening our clothes and trying to look like we hadn’t just been about to destroy the professional decorum of his office. My hair was slightly messed up. His tie was crooked. We probably seemed like we’d been doing exactly what we’d been doing.
Christian caught my hand before we left the office. "Sophie, I need to say something seriously."
I turned to face him, my heart doing that thing it did when he looked at me like that. Like I mattered. Like I was irreplaceable.
"You’re not just my Luna," he said quietly. "You’re not just my mate. You’re my equal partner. In everything. Business included." His jaw tightened with resolve. "I want to make you co-CEO. Officially. Not as a symbolic gesture or because I’m trying to be progressive. Because you’ve earned it."
I felt something catch in my chest. "Christian—"
"I mean it," he said. "I want this on the official records. I want the board to know it. I want everyone to know it."
The conference call was actually easy after that. Christian and I sat in his office, him in his chair perched on the edge of his desk, and we presented the acquisition details to the board. We finished each other’s sentences. Built on each other’s ideas. Moved seamlessly between his business instincts and my analytical breakdown.
It was a united front. It was unstoppable.
Connor was waiting outside the office when we finished, leaning against the wall with his phone in his hand. He had that specific expression that meant he was about to send a text message.
I caught him mid-scroll.
"What are you doing?" I asked.
He grinned. "Texting Marcus. He’s going to want to know that you two are actually kind of unstoppable together."
Christian emerged from his office, his arm sliding around my waist with easy possession. "Why would Marcus care about that?"
"Because," Connor said, hitting send, "Harold picked the wrong couple to mess with."
I watched the text go through, and I didn’t tell him about the offshore accounts or the conspiracy I’d uncovered over the weekend. That conversation could wait.
For now, I was going to enjoy this moment. The moment when I’d finally found a place that wasn’t just accepting of who I was.
It was celebrating it.
