Chapter 16 Men like you are dangerous
1881 Words
Liam’s pov
The private meeting room was quiet, except for the low hum of the air conditioner.
I sat across from Victor Hale. He looked relaxed. Too relaxed. One hand rested on his glass of whiskey while the other lightly turned it in slow circles, like nothing in this room could shake him.
Most people don’t sit like that in front of me, the calculate every breath and word, but Victor didn’t, that alone made him dangerous.
“You keep rejecting every investor that approaches your company,” he said calmly. “Yet you agreed to meet me.” I tapped my fingers once on the table before I stopped them.
“You’re not like the others,” I said. His lips curved slightly. “That sounds almost like a compliment.”
“It isn’t.” No emotion or softness, just the truth.
Victor gave a quiet chuckle, leaning back in his chair like I hadn’t just drawn a line, interesting.
He didn’t flinch around me. That meant either confidence… or stupidity. I was still deciding.
He placed his glass down and studied me properly now. “Your technology project has potential,” he said. “Massive potential. But expansion at that scale requires connections, international influence, and money.”
I crossed one leg over the other slowly. “I already have money.” He nodded once. “Not enough for what you’re planning.” Silence filled the room again. The kind of silence where both sides are waiting to see who moves first. Victor finally slid a document across the table.
“I’m offering a partnership,” he said. “Two hundred million dollars in funding in exchange for twenty-five percent ownership of the international division.”
The document stopped in front of me. He watched my face carefully. I didn’t open it, I just pushed it back.
“No.”
His brows lifted slightly. “You didn’t even read it.”
“I don’t need to.” “And why is that?” he asked.
“Because twenty-five percent is too much.” His lips curved again, slower this time. “Confident.”
I looked at him directly. “Careful,” I said. “There’s a difference.”
For a brief moment, something like amusement passed through his eyes. Then it disappeared.
“You know this partnership benefits both of us,” Victor said. “Without global support, your competitors will crush you before you even enter the European market.”
I stood up slowly. The chair didn’t make a sound.
I walked to the glass window behind me. The city spread out below. Lights. Movement. Noise I couldn’t hear from up here.
I kept my voice calm. “You came here because you need me too.” I didn’t turn. But I could feel his eyes on me. Watching and measuring.
I continued.
“Your investment empire is losing relevance in tech. You need a breakthrough company to stay ahead.” His mood shifted.
I turned slightly just enough to see him.
Victor stared at me for a long moment before he laughed quietly. “So the rumors are true,” he muttered.
I slipped one hand into my pocket. “Which rumor?”
“That you investigate everyone before shaking their hand.” “I investigate people before allowing them near my business.”
That was not paranoia. That was survival. Victor stood slowly. “Fine,” he said. “Fifteen percent ownership. Final offer.”
I turned fully now. My eyes stayed on him.
Calculating, not rushing, not reacting emotionally.
Just thinking. Victor held my gaze without blinking.
Most people break first but he didn’t. That made him slightly more useful than I expected.
“Ten percent,” I said finally. His eyes narrowed.
“And exclusive distribution rights for four years,” I added. Victor exhaled through his nose.
“You enjoy negotiation far too much.” My expression didn’t change. “I enjoy winning.”
Silence stretched again. Victor studied me like he was trying to decide what kind of man I really was.
Then he extended his hand. “You’re exhausting, Liam.” I shook his hand firmly. “And yet you still agreed. A faint smirk appeared on his face.
“Because men like you are dangerous to compete against.”
I released his hand. “That’s why people prefer standing beside me instead.” For a moment, neither of us moved. The deal was done. But the tension didn’t leave the room.
Victor adjusted his cufflinks, glancing toward the window. “You don’t trust easily,” he said. “I don’t waste trust.” He nodded slowly. “Fair.” A short silence followed. Then he spoke again. “You’re building something big.”
“I always do.” “That’s not what I meant.”
I looked at him and our eyes met. “You’re building something people will either follow… or fight.”
My jaw tightened slightly. “They already do both.”
Victor smiled faintly. “Then you’re more predictable than you think.” I stepped back toward the table, picking up the document again. When I was done, I closed it and placed it back down.
“Ten percent stands,” I said. “Deal confirmed,” Victor replied. He turned toward the door. But before leaving, he stopped.
“You know,” he said casually, “people like you don’t last long.” I looked at him. He continued.
“Because men who think they control everything eventually meet the one thing they can’t control.”
The room stayed still. I didn’t react immediately.
Then I spoke. “I don’t meet things I can’t control.”
Victor smiled faintly. “Everyone says that.”
The door closed behind him with a soft click. I stayed sitting by the table. Fred opened the door slightly.
“Sir,” he said carefully. I didn’t turn. “What is it?”
A short pause. Then his voice lowered.
“It’s about Madam.” My fingers stopped moving.
Slowly, I turned my head.
Fred stepped in just enough to speak clearly. “She’s arrived at Life Specialist Hospital wiith Ethan.”
- Writer
