Chapter Three

~2:06 PM

Olivia's heart raced as she hurried through the bustling office, her mind focused on the impending merger negotiation with Starlight Industries. Just as she reached her desk, her friend and coworker, Macy, approached with a worried expression.

"Olivia, we have a problem. I just received an email from Starlight Industries, and they've proposed moving the meeting to tomorrow. We're not prepared for such a sudden change. This could jeopardize everything!"

Olivia's eyes widened in disbelief, a knot forming in her stomach. The news hit her like a tidal wave, threatening to sweep away all her carefully laid plans

She knew the implications of an unprepared negotiation—lost opportunities, damaged reputations, and potential failure. She took a deep breath, mustering her resolve, and made a swift decision.

"Macy, thank you for letting me know. I'll handle this. Stay calm and focus on gathering the team. We need to be prepared for tomorrow's meeting, no matter what it takes." Olivia reassured her.

" Geez, it's just his first day and this happens" Olivia thought to herself while rubbing her forehead, as if to soothe her discomfort.

With determination etched on her face, Olivia marched towards Sebastian's office, the weight of the situation bearing down on her. She knocked on the door, waiting for his response before entering.

Sebastian's deep voice resounded from within, "Come in."

As she stepped inside, Olivia noticed Sebastian immersed in a stack of papers, his brow furrowed with concentration. She cleared her throat, hoping to capture his attention.

Mr. Westwood, I have urgent news. Starlight Industries has proposed moving the meeting to tomorrow. We're caught off guard, and we need to act swiftly to ensure we're adequately prepared.

O

livia could sense the pressure weighing heavily on him. She knew she had to act quickly to support him and salvage the situation.

"We'll regroup" Sebastian finally replied after a few seconds of thinking.

"Excuse me sir?" Olivia asked to make sure she heard him correctly. How could he keep his composure intact.

"Gather all necessary resources, and put In extra hours if needed" Sebastian said while standing, his hands in his dress suit trouser pocket, staring out the glass wall of his office.

"I'm confident that we would make a strong presentation tomorrow" He completed now looking at Olivia.

~ A Few Hours Later

An excited Olivia, barging into Sebastian's office.

"Okay I'm sincerely sorry for barging, but I think I might have come up with an idea that can save all our asses from shame"

" Go on" Sebastian replied leaning more into his chair placing his right fingers on his chin and his right elbow on his chair, after few seconds of scrutinizing her face.

"So, first off, I did some research as to how and why are we negotiating

the merging of both companies, now I know of course your father didn't tell you about this, but it's a test"

" A test?" Sebastian asked confusion etched in his face.

" Yes, your father was the one that brought her proposal, and ask them to shift the date to tomorrow, when you succeed his position as President-"

" CEO, you mean" Sebastian corrected

" Yeah whatever, so, as I was saying... Your father wanted to see your ability to save this company from crisis, with limited time." Olivia concluded, waiting for Sebastian's opinion.

" So?..." She asked again, wanting him to say something, "Gosh this man was really hard to read" Olivia thought to herself.

" Why are telling me?" He asked keeping his ever cold demeanour.

"Is this guy fucking brain dead" Olivia thought to herself.

" Mrs. Peterson I think my father thought too highly of you"

"E-e-excuse me?" Olivia was dumbfounded.

" You only highlighted our problem " Sebastian continued.

" Isn't that first stage of decision making" Olivia retorted with furrowed brows.

" So tell me Ms. Peterson, what exactly are you planning on doing?" Sebastian asked while orbiting around her.

" Sir I-" before she could even speak Sebastian shut her up.

"Well I don't want to wear out that  little brain of yours" Olivia again was dumbfounded, she felt this subtle pain, deep inher guts and her chest, does he have to insult me like that, she thought

As for Sebastian, he just wanted to act like she had no effect on him, but he did not mean to be that harsh on her.

"So sir what's your supposed plan?" Olivia asked, her voice laces with professionalism. Sebastian walked towards his desk, picking up his Tablet and handing it over to Olivia. Olivia was stunned to see the highlight of the plan, even she herself wouldn't have thought about this.

" So your plan is to be humble before them" Olivia asked now staring at him with confusion writing all over her face.

"Exactly, make them feel like we're begging for this merging process"  Sebastian said with a smirk on his face.

" Sir is there any Intel you aren't sharing with me" Olivia asked with a serious face.

" You really are smart" Sebastian said with a chuckle while Olivia rolled her eyes.

" Starlight industries database, says that they have a stable revenue growth over the past few years"

" And?" Olivia asked impatiently.

" They also have CAGR of 12% over the last three fiscal years"

" Isn't this meant to be a good thing, cause it kinda sounds like you're tryna dig out their buried secrets,so...?"

" It's a lie" Sebastian concluded giving momentarl stop. " That's what they want people to believe, the company is almost bankrupt, they only have 3.5% CAGR not 12%"

" That means they altered their database."

" You're following Peterson, so we just present the pros and cons of the merger, highlighting more of the pros and if they still decide to play dumb, then I'll blackmail them to give me the company for free". Olivia just stared at him dumbfounded.

" When did you come up with this idea?" She asked still lost.

" Few minutes after you told me about the issue" Sebastian said and shrugged like it was no issue.

" You what?" Olivia asked flabbergasted. "So you made all 46 employee's on this floor work so hard, even though you already knew how to handle it ?"

" It was my way of testing your capabilities, you especially"

" Go home Peterson, tell the others too"

" What about you?"

" When I leave the office is not your business Peterson, just do as your told and dismiss the others, I'm i clear?"

" Understood sir, I'll be taking my leave now, Good night sir" She said then exited his office.

" Alright people let's wrap it up, the boss found a solution to our problems" Olivia paused to look at her watch it was almost 8 PM " so pack your stuff and go home, thank you"

As she turned to leave she saw Macy walking towards her,

" Hey" Macy called out to her.

"Yeah?"

"How did he do it"

" I sincerely have no idea, go home Macy, don't party" Olivia smiled at her as she walked towards the corridor that led to her office.

Meanwhile a certain someone could not concentrate on his work.

"What I said, about it not being her business, was that too harsh, no it can't be right...geez why I'm I so worried, she's just my secretary and it should remain that way" Sebastian sighed as he pinched the bridge if his nose.

" It's just my first day and she already has me rapped around her tiny little fingers" Sebastian chuckled laughing at his deliema