The Un-Royal Affair|(18+)

Chapter 4 - In the Shadow of the Glacier

"In his steel facade, secrets are sealed,

A heart of ice, beneath a stoic shield."

Ayaan's POV

In that opulent, modern boardroom, I could feel the atmosphere crackling with unspoken stiffness as I wielded my influence like a weapon. My very presence demanded attention, and I couldn't help but relish the power it granted me.

My tailored suit was a statement of dominance, the fabric clinging to my frame with precision, and my crisp white shirt appeared untouched by the world's imperfections. My eyes were locked onto the representatives from the rival company or, to say one of many, a company now seemingly at my mercy.

I always preferred dressing up in a suit. It was my shield.

Across the expanse of the gleaming mahogany table, the representatives of the smaller and more vulnerable firm sat, their faces etched with a mixture of anxiety and anticipation. They understood the enormity of this encounter, facing a fashion business titan whose reputation for ruthlessness was legendary. I watched as their hands trembled, clutching folders containing their futile arguments and hopes of survival.

My fingers tapped rhythmically on the table, a drumbeat of impatience that sent ripples through the room. Finally, I shattered the silence with my smooth, commanding voice, similar to polished marble.

"Ladies and Gentlemen," I began, "let's not waste time on pleasantries. We all know who holds the upper hand in this little dance."

I leaned forward, and it felt like the room shrank in my presence. The intensity of my gaze was like a laser beam cutting through their defenses. "I've examined your financials meticulously. Your company is hemorrhaging money, and your once-revered product is fading into obscurity. You're drowning, and I'm here to throw you a lifeline."

I could sense a collective breath catching as I paused, allowing the weight of my words to take root.

"Now," I continued, my voice unwavering, "here are my conditions. I'll acquire your company but won't even entertain market value. I'll take it for a fraction of what it's worth. You'll retain no control, no voice in its management. Your employees will be integrated into my company machinery, and any hint of resistance will be met with swift termination."

A tangible chill seemed to permeate the room as the representatives contemplated the starkness of my terms.

My lips curled into a thin smile. "But, in a rare display of benevolence," I said mockingly, "I'll allow you and your top executives to linger-for a time, at least. Of course, you'll receive generous compensation packages, though you'll find your influence to be little more than an illusion."

"But what about Mr. Hartman vouching for us? He said we can take a loan and resurrect the company." One of the representatives voiced.

"Thoughts of applying for a loan when you don't have anything to present as a collateral property?" I questioned. "May I know on what basis you will seek a loan and what are the chances that you'll be able to revive every loss of your company when it's more than 100 million." Everyone lost the remaining color in their faces.

As objections were timidly raised, I listened with the patience of a predator amused by the antics of its prey.

"Let me be perfectly clear," I declared, reclining back in my chair, fingers steepled. "This is a one-time offer. Accept it, or reject it at your peril. If you decline, rest assured, I'll bide my time, and when your company is teetering on the edge of oblivion, I'll swoop in and claim it for a fraction of the price. You'll be left with empty pockets and shattered dreams."