Taming My Sugar Mommy
Chapter 90: Easy deal

Chapter 90: Easy deal

Isabella slipped her tablet into her leather portfolio and turned to Liam. "Come with me," she said, her tone making it clear this wasn’t a request. "I want you to observe everyone in that room—particularly Seraphina and Jeremy. Note their reactions, their body language, any exchange of glances."

Liam nodded, already understanding. "You think they’ve formed an alliance?"

"I think nothing is coincidental anymore," Isabella replied, striding toward the door. "And I don’t appreciate surprises on my calendar."

They walked down the corridor together, maintaining a professional distance even as their synchronized steps betrayed years of working in tandem. As they approached the conference room’s glass doors, Isabella caught sight of the assembled group inside—Samuel Davies and his legal team on one side of the table, and on the other, Seraphina and Jeremy deep in conversation, heads bent together over a document.

Isabella paused momentarily, her expression betraying nothing even as her eyes narrowed slightly. "Interesting," she murmured.

"Very," Liam agreed quietly.

She straightened her shoulders, composed her features into a mask of polite confidence, and pushed open the door.

"Samuel," Isabella greeted warmly, using his first name with the familiarity of previous acquaintance. "Thank you for making time in your schedule today. I see my colleagues have already made themselves comfortable."

Davies stood to shake her hand—tall, silver-haired, with the relaxed demeanor of someone who had nothing to prove. "Isabella. Always a pleasure to see you again." His eyes held a glint of appreciation that went beyond professional courtesy.

Isabella smiled, ignoring the subtle friction in the air as Seraphina glanced up, her surprise at Liam’s presence evident for just a fraction of a second before her professional smile slid back into place.

"Isabella," Seraphina said smoothly, "Jeremy and I were just reviewing some potential financial structures for the partnership. I hope you don’t mind that I asked him to join us."

"Not at all," Isabella replied with perfect cordiality, though her eyes held Seraphina’s a beat longer than necessary. "The more perspectives, the better." She gestured to Liam. "Liam will be taking notes for our executive summary."

Jeremy shifted uncomfortably in his seat, his fingers nervously adjusting his Windsor knot. "I’ve prepared some projections on the integration costs," he said, sliding a folder toward Isabella. "They’re... higher than we initially anticipated."

Isabella took the folder without opening it, her focus remaining on Davies. "I’m sure we can find an arrangement that works for both our companies, Samuel. Shall we begin?"

The negotiations started formally, with Davies’s legal team outlining their proposed terms. Isabella braced herself for the notorious difficulty she’d been warned about—the last-minute demands, the strategic complications that had become Davies’s signature in the business world.

But they never came.

Instead, Davies seemed remarkably amenable to Ashworth’s core requirements. He conceded points that Isabella had prepared extensive arguments to defend. When Jeremy raised concerns about the financial structuring, Davies offered solutions that Ashworth’s CFO seemed unable to refute.

Throughout it all, Isabella maintained her professional demeanor, but beneath it, her mind raced. This wasn’t the negotiation she’d prepared for. This wasn’t the Samuel Davies whose reputation for ruthless bargaining preceded him.

Across the table, Seraphina watched the proceedings with an expression of practiced interest, but her eyes frequently flickered to Liam, who was silently observing the entire room while taking occasional notes. Each time their eyes met, Seraphina’s lips curved into the ghost of a smile.

Two hours later, when Davies’s lead counsel pushed the finalized contract across the table for signatures, Isabella felt a peculiar sense of unease beneath her triumph. The terms were favorable—almost too favorable. Davies had yielded on points she’d been prepared to sacrifice.

"This partnership marks the beginning of an exciting new Chapter for both our companies," Davies said as Isabella signed the final page. "Ashworth’s reputation for excellence combined with our technology will create something truly exceptional."

"I couldn’t agree more," Isabella replied, handing him the pen. As he signed, she added, "Though I must admit, Samuel, you’ve been far more agreeable today than in our previous discussions."

Davies chuckled, a rich sound that filled the conference room. "Perhaps I’ve come to recognize the value of our potential synergy." His eyes met hers with unexpected shrewdness. "Some partnerships are worth making concessions for."

After the final handshakes and promises to be in touch regarding implementation details, Davies and his team departed. Jeremy excused himself almost immediately afterward, claiming an urgent call with investors in Hong Kong.

Left in the conference room, Isabella, Liam, and Seraphina stood in a triangle of unspoken tension.

"Well," Seraphina said, breaking the silence, "that went remarkably well. Davies practically handed us everything we wanted."

Isabella gathered her materials with deliberate care. "Yes. Remarkably well indeed."

"You don’t seem pleased," Seraphina observed, studying her friend’s face. "This contract secures Ashworth’s technological future and opens international markets we’ve been targeting for years."

Isabella looked up, her smile not quite reaching her eyes. "I’m thrilled with the outcome, Sera. And I appreciate your presence today. Your insights were... invaluable."

Seraphina seemed to relax slightly, though her gaze continued to flicker between Isabella and Liam. "That’s what friends are for, isn’t it? Being there when needed."

"Absolutely," Isabella agreed. "Though a heads-up about Jeremy’s participation would have been courteous."

"A last-minute decision," Seraphina explained smoothly. "Given the financial implications, it seemed prudent."

Isabella nodded, accepting the explanation without comment. "Would you join us for a celebratory dinner? I think this partnership deserves proper acknowledgment."

For the first time, Seraphina appeared genuinely caught off guard. "I... have plans this evening, unfortunately. A prior commitment."

"Of course," Isabella said, her tone light. "Another time, then."

Seraphina gathered her belongings, pausing at the door. "You’ve accomplished something significant today, Bella. Try to enjoy it." With that, she departed, leaving Isabella and Liam alone in the conference room.

Hours later, when the Ashworth building had emptied of its daytime occupants, Isabella remained in the conference room, her heels discarded beneath the table, the city lights creating a tapestry of illumination beyond the floor-to-ceiling windows. The contract sat before her, its pages spread across the polished surface as she reviewed each clause for the third time.

Liam entered silently, carrying two cups of coffee. He placed one beside her before taking a seat.

"Find anything?" he asked.

Isabella leaned back, rubbing her temples. "Nothing concerning in the contract itself. It’s legitimately favorable to Ashworth. The integration terms, the financial structure, the timeline—they’re all aligned with our objectives."

"And that’s what bothers you," Liam observed.

"It was too easy," Isabella confirmed, reaching for the coffee. "Davies is notorious for extracting maximum advantage in negotiations. Today, he practically handed us control of the partnership."

Liam nodded, his own thoughts having followed the same path. "I watched everyone in that room. Davies never consulted with his legal team before making concessions. Almost as if..."

"As if the outcome was predetermined," Isabella finished. She sipped her coffee, her gaze distant as she pieced together the events of the past weeks. "Seraphina couldn’t take her eyes off you."

"She was trying to gauge whether I suspected anything," Liam replied. "When I reviewed those background checks on the new finance hires, I found something interesting. All three were previously employed by companies where Jeremy has connections."

Isabella’s lips curved into a small, cold smile. "Of course." She stood, moving to the window to gaze out at the Manhattan skyline. "It’s elegant, really. Edwin was the obvious threat, the one I would focus on eliminating. Meanwhile, Jeremy quietly positions his people, makes incremental changes to our financial structure."

"With Seraphina’s help," Liam added. "She recommended two of those hires."

Isabella nodded, unsurprised. "And now Davies enters the picture with a suspiciously generous partnership offer."

"That requires significant reconfiguration of our financial systems," Liam continued, "overseen by Jeremy and his newly placed team."

Isabella turned from the window, her expression shifting from contemplation to determination. "They’re creating access points. The integration will give them opportunities to redirect funds, alter records—all while appearing to implement necessary changes for the partnership."

"A Trojan horse," Liam agreed.

Isabella moved toward him, close enough that he could detect the subtle scent of her perfume—jasmine and amber, elegant and distinctive. "The question remains: what is Seraphina’s role in all this? Is she Jeremy’s ally, or is she playing her own game?"

"She’s too smart to align herself with someone as transparent as Jeremy," Liam said. "Whatever her agenda, it’s more sophisticated than simple financial fraud."

Isabella placed her hand on his shoulder, her touch lingering. "I need you to do something for me, Liam. Something that stays between us."

He looked up at her, his expression serious. "Anything."

"I want you to appear to distance yourself from me," Isabella said, her voice low. "Express concerns about my leadership decisions. Let Seraphina believe you might be... persuaded to share her perspective."

Understanding dawned in his eyes. "You want me to get close to her."

"I want you to become her confidant," Isabella corrected. "Find out what she really wants, what she’s planning."

Liam held her gaze for a long moment. "That’s a dangerous game, Isabella."

Her lips curved into a smile that held no warmth. "The game is already in progress, Liam. We’re simply acknowledging the rules." She moved closer, her voice dropping to a whisper. "Do you trust me?"

"With my life," he replied without hesitation.

Isabella’s smile softened into something genuine for the first time that day. "Good. Because before this is over, that trust may be tested in ways neither of us anticipates."

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