This Pain Is Trivial

Osborne Corporation has always been renowned for its professional competence. Keyon, untroubled by the issue of capability, simply nodded, "Of course, it's predicated upon capability."

Upon seeing the CEO of his company relent, the Deputy General Manager chimed in, "Ms. Reed, the termination of the Reed Corporation's project by Osborne Corporation was the unauthorized action of my subordinates. I entreat you not to take offense; they've already been penalized."

Ella, no stranger to the platitudes of the business battlefield, did not take his words at face value. Instead, she went along with the Deputy General Manager's statement, "If that's the case, let us transform contention into collaboration, mutually aiding and winning together."

After finishing her statement, she raised her glass in toast to Keyon and the Deputy GM. After draining her glass, she laughed and told them, "Let's conclude here for today. See you at the bidding conference."