he forehead with his fingers - not too har

surprise, while Cheryl inst

d tossed the words behind

the security guards immed

sitions department to speak with Michael Peyton about the deal. To her

yton? What's

ants to sit in-told u

had no idea what he was up to, b

ward really just sat there, not in

earlier, so the red mark on h

catch Edward's eye. His gaze lingered for half a second befo

proposal. Regarding payment, we had agreed on 40% in cash and 60% through a stock issue. Cutting the stock entirely... don't you

It's just Serenor. Director Peyto

ght, I t

what you think. What I

ct and assertive. Backed by her compe

sted people, Michael usually had a voice. "Ms. Bright, I thi

onship, so Michael had to keep his tone in check. If it

gotiations," he added more tactfully, barely holdin

u even looked into Serenor's equity structure? They're tightly held, which makes a full cash acquisition ideal.

. Don't tell me you missed such a b

chill in her eyes was hard

clearly shaken. He rea

u mean well, Director Peyton. At the end of the day, we're all just employees here. Why not let Mr. Dawson

l. "Who's the person in

e you wanted Carol assisting me, they swapped people too.

ing the edge of his jaw as he glanced briefly at

.

office, Carol went to find her

she hit back right away, but the anger hadn't really gone away.

p some dirt on her-not enough to totally wipe her out of t

iately took the lead. "Don't worry, Carol!

ce things with Cheryl were set in motion, it was ne

essage: [Mr. Dawson says they're holding

ust say she was i

ally were impossible

le Carol and Edward were having breakfast, the

ustry due to poor professionalism and lack of skill. Her brand

In just one day, she'd gone from high-fl

info she gave Vivian was enough to rattle Cheryl

t"? That kind of label was career-ending. Some

read him. But before she could ask, he

hat, Carol felt a bit foolish. Right, w

voice low. "I

sread the look, thinking he was upset for C

alk whil

l: "

dward's chief aide, he was well aware of

old gentleman w

her things. Normally, when Edward hea

"Miss Bright, the old gentl

ebrow, glancing at

ush was brewing. She