Alexander

    I parted from Olivia at the elevator, heading toward my office. Just before the doors closed, I turned back for one final look.

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    Olivia stood tall, confidence radiating from her posture as she spoke with another employee. The pencil skirt hugged her curves perfectly, entuating her shapely legs and the gentle swell of her hips. The matching zer highlighted her trim waist before ring subtly over her breasts.

    She was magnificent, not just physically attractive but

    My wife was making quite an impression at Carter Enterprises, not just because of her connection to me.

    When I reached my office, Jessica was already waiting, tablet in hand and coffee on my desk.

    “Good morning, Mr. Carter,” she greeted, professional as always. “Your schedule is updated on your tablet. The acquisition meeting at Meridian Properties has been moved up to eleven instead of

    two.”

    I frowned, checking my watch. “That’s in ny minutes.”

    “Yes, sir. Their CEO called personally to request the change. Something about another interested party.”

    “Another interested party?” I repeated. “Who?”

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    “They didn’t specify,” Jessica replied, handing me a folder. “I’ve prepared thetest reports on Meridian’s holdings and market position. The legal team sent over the revised offer this morning.”

    I flipped through the documents, scanning the numbers. Meridian Properties owned prime real estate throughout downtown Los Angeles, exactly the locations I needed for Carter Enterprises‘ expansion into retail space.

    “Get the car ready in thirty minutes,” I said, taking a sip of coffee. “And tell Wilson to meet us there with the final paperwork.”

    “Already done, sir.”

    I sat at my desk, immersing myself in preparation for the meeting. Meridian was a family–owned business with a solid portfolio but struggling with session nning. The aging founder wanted to retire, and his children had little interest in real estate. It was the perfect acquisition target.

    Ny minutester, Jessica and I walked through the gleaming lobby of Meridian Properties. The receptionist directed us to the fourteenth floor, where the meeting would take ce in their boardroom.

    “Mr. Carter,” Edwin Meridian greeted me, extending his hand. “Thank you for amodating the schedule change.”

    “Not a problem,” I replied, shaking his hand firmly. “I understand there’s been a development?”

    Edwin’s expression tightened. “Yes, well, let’s discuss that in the boardroom. Your legal counsel has arrived as well.”

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    We followed him down a hallway lined with photographs of various buildings, the Meridian Empire built over forty years. My legal advisor, Wilson, joined us at the boardroom door.

    “Mr. Carter,” he nodded. “I have the paperwork ready.”

    “Excellent.”

    The boardroom was spacious, with floor–to–ceiling windows overlooking downtown Los Angeles. Several people were already seated around the massive oak table.

    “You know my son Jacob,” Edwin said, gesturing to a middle–aged man who nodded curtly. “And my daughter ine.”

    “Of course,” I smiled at both of them. “Good to see you again.”

    ??

    “And this is-” Edwin began, but was interrupted by the

    boardroom door opening behind us.

    “Sorry, I’mte,” came a familiar voice. “Traffic was a nightmare.”

    I turned, keeping my expression neutral despite the surprise coursing through me.

    “James,” I said evenly. “I wasn’t aware you’d be joining us.”

    James Westbrook stood in the doorway, impably dressed in a charcoal suit that probably cost as much as mine. His trademark confident smile was firmly in ce,

    “Alexander,” he replied, matching my tone. “Surprise.”

    Edwin cleared his throat. “As I was about to exin, Mr. Westbrook approached usst week with an interest in acquiring

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    Meridian Properties. Since we were already in talks with you, I thought it fair to hear both offers simultaneously.”

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    I kept my face impassive, but internally I was recalcting. James Westbrook. Of course. Westbrook Financial had been expanding their real estate holdings recently, though I hadn’t expected them to target Meridian.

    “Very fair,” I said smoothly, taking a seat at the table. “I’m always up for healthypetition.”

    James settled into a chair directly across from me. “Likewise. May the best offer win, right Alexander?”

    “Indeed.”

    Edwin took his ce at the head of the table. “Let’s begin, shall we? Both of you have submitted preliminary offers. Perhaps you could each summarize your proposals for everyone present.”

    I nodded to Jessica, who distributed folders to everyone at the

    table.

    “Carter Enterprises is prepared to acquire Meridian Properties at fifteen percent above market valuation,” I began, getting straight to the point. “We’ll maintain all current staff for a minimum of eighteen months during the transition, with generous severance packages for any positions that be redundant after that period,”

    Edwin nodded, making notes.

    “Additionally,” I continued, “we’re offering stock options in Carter Enterprises equivalent to two percent of the purchase price, and a

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    seat on our advisory board for you, Edwin, should you wish to remain involved.”

    “Very generous,” Edwin murmured, looking over the numbers.

    James leaned forward, his expression confident. “Westbrook Financial is prepared to match the financial terms offered by Carter Enterprises.”

    I kept my expression neutral. James was bluffing; Westbrook couldn’t afford to match my offer without leveraging themselves significantly.

    “However,” James continued, “we’re also offering to maintain the Meridian name as a subsidiary brand, preserving the legacy you’ve built, Edwin. And rather than just eighteen months of job security, we guarantee five years for all current employees.”

    Edwin’s eyebrows rose slightly.

    “That’s quite amitment,” Jacob Meridian said, looking impressed.

    “We value Meridian’s expertise,” James replied smoothly. “Your team has built something special here. We want to build upon that foundation, not dismantle it.”

    I kept my expression calm, but inwardly I was reassessing. James was ying the emotional angle, the family legacy card. It was clever, especially knowing how attached Edwin was to thepany he’d built from nothing.

    “If I may,” I interjected, “Carter Enterprises has a proven track record of sessful acquisitions in which we’ve maintained the

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    originalpany’s culture while integrating it into our broader vision. The Donovan Group is a prime example.”

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    “The Donovan Group was hardly a family business,” James pointed out. “It was already a corporate entity when you acquired

    it.”

    “True,” I conceded. “But the principles remain the same. We respect what makes eachpany valuable.”

    The discussion continued for nearly an hour, with both sides presenting the details of their offers and answering questions from the Meridian family. Throughout, James maintained his confident demeanor, asionally throwing nces my way as if to gauge my reaction.

    During a brief break, James approached me at the refreshment table.

    “Quite a coincidence, running into you here,” he said, pouring himself a coffee.

    “Is it?” I replied, selecting a water bottle. “Somehow I doubt that.”

    James chuckled. “Always suspicious, Alexander. But then, that’s served you well over the years.”

    “What’s your real interest in Meridian?” I asked directly. “This isn’t your usual type of acquisition.”

    “Diversifying,” he shrugged. “Real estate is a solid investment these days.”

    “There are easier properties to acquire if you’re just looking to diversify.”

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    James studied me for a moment. “Perhaps I wanted to see if I could beat you at something.”

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