Chapter 10:The Red Novin Game
659 Words
The Red Novin contract was not just a business deal.
It was power.
Whichever company secured it would dominate the European tech expansion market for the next five years. Media, security infrastructure, data systems,Red Novin was building an empire, and they were choosing only one strategic partner.
Cassiopeia stared at the proposal file on her desk.
In her past life, Adrian had won this contract.
And three months later, he used it to destroy her father's company.
Her fingers tightened.
Not this time.
Across the city, in a glass office overlooking the skyline, Adrian smiled confidently as he adjusted his tie.
"Red Novin is already leaning in our direction," he said to his board members. "We just need to secure the final vote."
Seraphina sat beside him, her lips curved but her eyes calculating.
"Are you certain there are no… interferences?" she asked lightly.
Adrian scoffed. "Who would dare?"
Meanwhile.
Ivan Volkov did not attend meetings he did not control.
He stood near the window of his private office, silent, listening as his assistant finished speaking.
"Red Novin's executive board will be reviewing all three final bidders tomorrow evening."
Ivan's voice was calm. "And Adrian's numbers?"
"Inflated projections. Risky leverage. They buried the debt creatively."
A faint smile touched Ivan's lips.
"Send the anonymous audit package."
"Yes, sir."
"And make sure it reaches Red Novin's internal risk committee first."
He ended the call.
Adrian wanted the contract.
Cassiopeia needed it.
But Ivan?
Ivan was about to decide who deserved it.
The following evening, the Red Novin pre-selection dinner was held in a private executive hall. No media. No publicity. Only influence.
Cassiopeia stepped inside wearing black.
Not soft black.
War black.
She felt eyes on her immediately.
Investors whispered. Executives observed. Competitors evaluated.
Adrian approached her with the same charming smile he once used before betrayal.
"Cassiopeia," he greeted smoothly. "I didn't expect you to aim this high."
"I didn't expect you to survive this long," she replied calmly.
His smile tightened.
"You don't have the backing to win this."
"Confidence sounds better when it isn't borrowed," she said.
Before he could respond, a subtle shift happened in the room.
Conversations lowered.
Attention redirected.
Ivan Volkov had entered.
He was not listed as a bidder.
He was not listed as a partner.
Yet every major investor straightened instinctively.
Cassiopeia felt it before she saw him.
That quiet pressure.
That stillness.
When her eyes finally met his across the room, something in her chest pulled tight.
Not fear.
Recognition.
But that was impossible.
Ivan did not greet Adrian.
He did not acknowledge anyone first.
Instead, he walked directly toward the Red Novin executives.
And when he spoke, it was low enough not to cause a scene,but powerful enough to change one.
"I believe financial integrity should be the primary factor in tonight's considerations."
The head executive blinked slightly. "Of course."
Ivan handed over a sealed document.
"Transparency is rare these days."
Across the hall, Adrian's phone buzzed.
His expression changed.
Seraphina leaned closer. "What is it?"
Adrian's jaw hardened.
"They've opened an internal audit."
Cassiopeia watched everything.
The tension.
The shift.
The invisible knife sliding under Adrian's confidence.
And then...
Ivan turned.
His gaze landed on her.
Not casually.
Not curiously.
Intentionally.
He walked toward her.
Each step deliberate.
Adrian noticed. His expression darkened.
Ivan stopped in front of Cassiopeia, close enough for only her to hear him.
"You came prepared," he said softly.
She held his gaze. "I always do."
A pause.
Then he said something that made her pulse skip.
"Not like last time."
Her breath faltered.
Last time?
Her eyes sharpened.
"What do you mean?"
Ivan's expression did not change. But something ancient flickered behind his calm.
"You shouldn't lose this one," he said quietly. "It belongs to you."
And just like that, he stepped away.
Leaving her standing there....
With a past she never told anyone…
And a man who just spoke like he was there.
- Writer
