Love In Crimson

Chapter Four - Negotiations

Ace swerves his chair with a smirk of victory obvious on his face. His plan B had gone accordingly. Scott has given him a report that brings joy to him ; Benedetto wants audience with him. This delights him as the first few pieces of his plan is finally coming together.

Ace began to think to himself, since Orchid Group is in a desperate situation, why not directly ask for the family merger instead of just offering them benefits of investments.

He turns to ask Scott about his opinion,who agreed with him. Since they've planted fire amidst his board members, Benedetto literally has no option than to accept any help offer available.

Besides, after much investigations about his niece and connecting some dots together, Ace concluded that Benedetto will not bother with giving her out in marriage.

Scott relayed the details of the meeting with Benedetto and his board members to Ace. They were going to meet at the same hotel that they had met the last time. But this time, they were using one of the miniature conference rooms.

Ace asked Scott to draft a contract agreement in advance for the meeting. Ace's industrial lawyer was also contacted and invited to the meeting venue.

By the time stipulated for the meeting, Ace, Scott his lawyer, Benedetto , his son , Reynolds, the CEO of Orchid Group and a few of his board members including Collins and his lawyer as well were all surrounding the conference room table.

The conference room was already sealed in silence by the time Ace leaned back in his chair, one ankle resting on his knee like he owned not just the space, but the outcome.

Across from him, Benedetto sat rigid, gritting his teeth together,his jaw tight enough to suggest both restraint and desperation. He didn't like this. He was made to look little in front of this youngster. Had it not been that the people he was in cahoots with in the consumer food protection agency sector were somehow not able to help him, he wouldn't have been in this mess.

It was like the heavens decided to leave him with no way out. Pressure from his board members and investors pulling out almost every hour was not helping.

Ace broke the silence first

"Are we all here for a staring contest or to discuss business", he said. He turned to Benedetto, this time, his tone laced with confidence of knowing the outcome. "Are you willing to accept my offer or not. Last time I watched the news, you're slowly running into debts", Ace said mockingly.

Benedetto's eyes remained fixed on Ace. “You didn’t come here just to state the obvious.”

"No",Ace replied, "we're all here to find a solution that will benefit both parties,right"

That got a reaction from Benedetto. His knuckles turning white from balling his fists, the shame and the embarrassment of having to go back to whom he had initially rejected his offer. "What a poor luck", he said to himself.

"But at what cost? What is in it for you", Benedetto asked Ace, his eyes scanning his demeanor.

Ace smiled faintly, as if he’d been waiting for that exact question. "Well, I invest, and you hand me my profits but" …..he said, causing Benedetto to stiffen in his chairs. After all, he has been in Ace's position before, he didn't just offer a purely intended help.

"What is it", he asked Ace.

Ace didn't mention his condition right away, "why not let our lawyers go through the contract agreement together first, then they get back to us. While they're at it, let's meet one on one". Ace replied

Both lawyers reached for the file while Ace led Benedetto out of the conference room to a private spot.

Benedetto relaxed when he finally saw that it was just the two of them. With suspicion sharpening his tone, "what do you want in return", he asked Ace.

"I want your niece", he said.

Benedetto’s gaze hardened. What Ace just said sounded like a bomb in his ears. Out of everything Ace could demand for, he didn't think about this. He had been thinking about control, board decision making authority and the likes,but this, he never expected.

Benedetto didn’t react, then his expression shifted, confusion giving way to disbelief.

"Explain", he said through gritted teeth.

"A marriage", Ace clarified. “Between me and her.”

Benedetto gazed at him with an unsure look, eyes narrowing. “You’re proposing a business deal or a transaction of people?”

“A strategic alliance,” Ace corrected, unfazed. “That’s absurd,” Benedetto snapped, though his voice lacked full conviction.

"Is it?" Ace countered calmly. “You’re a practical man. You know how these things work. Power binds stronger when it’s personal".

Benedetto stood abruptly, pacing a few steps before turning back. "My niece is not an asset to be negotiated".

“No,” Ace agreed, almost too quickly. “She’s leverage. There’s a difference. Besides,why are you acting like you care, as far as I recall my findings, you don't give a damn care about her", Ace said.

Silence again. This time, longer.

Benedetto’s mind was already calculating the pros and cons. When he spoke again, his tone was lower. “And no one else knows about this… condition?, not even our lawyers?”

Ace shook his head. “Nor will they. Not the board. Not the lawyers. Officially, this is a standard investment agreement.”

“And unofficially?”

“A private clause,” Ace said. “Between us.”

Benedetto returned to his seat slowly. “If” he began, choosing his words carefully, “if I were to even consider this… it would require conditions.”

Ace’s lips curved slightly, wondering how the old hag intends to spurn the situation “Of course.”

“She must consent,” Benedetto said firmly. "Well, you will make her consent, else whatever our lawyers are discussing will be rendered void". Ace countered. He was loving every moment of being the one with an upper hand in this situation.

“And the marriage terms?” Benedetto pressed.

“Defined,” Ace said. "It's a lifetime marriage, except when I decide to call it quits, there will be no public appearances nor a public marriage, financial security is ensured, and…..of course,like any other traditional wife, she must bear kids and fulfill her obligations. I don't want a wife that can be used against me", he said.

Benedetto tapped the file lightly. “Then the official contract will include your investment, equity distribution, and board access. Nothing more.”

“And the private clause,” Ace added.

Benedetto hesitated, just for a second then nodded. “Documented separately. No legal trace tied to the primary agreement.”

Ace leaned back again, satisfied. “We’ll draft it under a non-disclosure framework. Breach results in full withdrawal of support.”

“And financial penalties,” Benedetto countered.

Ace agreed.

They held each other’s gaze for a long moment, the weight of what they were sealing settling between them.

Finally, Benedetto extended his hand.

“This never leaves this room.”

Ace took it without hesitation.

“Of course,” he said. “That’s what makes it valuable.”

Their handshake was firm but neither man mistook it for trust.

It was simply a transaction.

After the agreement, Ace and Benedetto made their way back to the conference room. They were met with both curious and anxious gazed from the people in there .

Both parties’ lawyers came to a final conclusion about contract, leaving everyone present in the meeting satisfied.

And in that moment, Natalia Wayne's destiny was sealed.