Skip to content
Novel Catalog
Chapter_88
Alex chuckled softly, his smile never faltering. “No, I’m not the CEO, Mr. Valencia. But I do have influence in BrianTech, enough to have some say in the matter.” He adjusted himself in his seat, maintaining that calm, confident demeanor that had both charmed and unnerved Antonio in equal measure.
Antonio’s eyes remained sharp, his mind working quickly to process Alex’s words. He knew Alex wasn’t a fool, and he wasn’t about to let him outmaneuver him in both business and personal matters. Antonio leaned forward slightly, his gaze piercing.
“You’re telling me that BrianTech’s CEO isn’t here to finalize this deal?” Antonio asked, his voice low, controlled, yet a slight edge of frustration slipped through. He knew this wasn’t a typical business negotiation. This was a battle of wills.
Alex shrugged casually. “Exactly. However, I can assure you that the deal will go through once we complete the final steps. But for now, the third test is still outstanding. We can discuss the details, of course.” His tone suggested that he wasn’t bothered by the pressure—he was too experienced for that. He had learned long ago how to handle high-stakes negotiations with ease.
Antonio clenched his jaw, trying to keep his composure. He could feel his patience thinning. This is no ordinary meeting, he thought, This is a power play. He could almost hear the underlying challenge in Alex’s words, as if he were daring Antonio to prove his worthiness. And that stung.
Before Antonio could respond, the door to the executive lounge opened slightly. Sarah reappeared, Harper in tow. The little girl had a mischievous grin on her face, likely relieved to have escaped the tension in the room for a while.
“Harper’s all set,” Sarah said, her voice light, though there was an unmistakable edge in her eyes as she briefly looked at Antonio and then at Alex. She could feel the thick atmosphere between them, and she knew the tension wasn’t just business anymore.
Antonio’s gaze flickered to Sarah. His lips pressed together in a thin line, but he didn’t comment. Instead, he turned back to Alex, his face settling into the mask of professionalism.
“I see,” Antonio said coolly. “Let’s finish this. No more distractions.” He slid the tablet back toward Alex, waiting for him to confirm that the deal would go forward.
But Alex wasn’t ready to give in just yet. He glanced at Sarah, then back at Antonio, before replying, “Let’s talk about this third test, Mr. Valencia. We can’t finalize anything until we’ve cleared that hurdle.”
The air between them seemed to thicken, the undercurrent of rivalry and unspoken challenges simmering just below the surface. Antonio knew that Alex wasn’t just talking about business anymore. This was about proving who had control, who held the upper hand in a game that neither man was willing to lose.
Sarah stood silently, watching the two of them, her thoughts racing. She didn’t want to be part of this tension-filled standoff, but it was clear that Alex and Antonio were caught in some kind of unspoken battle that she had unwittingly been dragged into. She took Harper’s hand, ready to leave the room and let them sort out their issues.
“I’ll take Harper back to the car,” Sarah said, her voice soft but firm. “Let’s finish this, gentlemen. I’ll be waiting.”
With that, she led Harper out, the door clicking shut behind them.
Inside, Antonio and Alex were left alone in the room. The weight of the decision ahead loomed over them, but neither man seemed willing to back down. The deal, the tests, and everything else were just pawns in a larger game—one that would have far-reaching consequences for all involved.
As the door shut behind Sarah, Antonio’s voice dropped lower, colder. “What’s this third test, Alex? I’m done with games.”
Alex met his gaze, unflinching. “It’s simple, really. But you’ll have to prove yourself worthy of it. Just like everyone else in my circle.”
The silent war between them was far from over. And neither man was prepared to lose.
