Ex-Alpha's Regret: Siren's Comeback novel Chapter 97

POV: Seraphina

The next morning, I received a formal, encrypted request from Killian's assistant. Mr. Vance requested a meeting in the main conference room at ten hundred hours. The message also stated that he requested my brother, acting Alpha Jax Thorne, be present as a witness. The formality of it was both surprising and intriguing. This was not the tone of a man whose friendly offer had just been rebuffed. This was the tone of a man about to make a business proposition.

When I entered the conference room, the atmosphere was starkly different from our previous encounters. Killian was not dressed in the casual, elegant attire of a visiting dignitary. He wore a sharp, tailored business suit, his expression formal and impassive. He stood as I entered, a gesture of professional courtesy. Jax was already there, leaning against a far wall, his arms crossed, his face a mask of wary curiosity.

"Siren," Killian said, his voice cool and professional. "Thank you for meeting with me. Alpha Thorne, thank you for attending."

He didn't waste time on pleasantries. He gestured to the large holo-table, and a thick, legally dense document appeared in the air between us.

"I have a business proposal for you," he said, his tone that of a CEO addressing his board. "Vance Capital is currently engaged in a high-risk, high-yield venture to establish a new trade route through the region known as the Forbidden Sea. The strategic challenges are… considerable. We have, thus far, been unable to devise a viable risk-mitigation strategy that doesn't completely negate the profit margin."

He looked directly at me, his gaze intense, but it was the gaze of an investor evaluating an asset, not a man looking at a woman. "Your analysis of the Northern Alliance's economic weaknesses was the most brilliant piece of strategic thinking I have seen in my career. Your talent for identifying and exploiting systemic vulnerabilities is, in my professional opinion, unparalleled. You are uniquely qualified to solve this problem for me."

He made no move to pressure me. He simply stood there, a patient businessman waiting for a decision on a proposal.

"The contract is, of course, open for review and negotiation," he said calmly. "Please, take your time to consider the offer. I await your decision."

He gave a slight, formal bow of his head, then turned and walked out of the room, leaving me alone with my brother and the shocking, unexpected lifeline he had just thrown me.