Chapter 6 Negotiations and Power Plays

Harper

I stood before the mirror, adjusting the lapel of my Dior suit with practiced precision. The tailored black ensemble projected exactly what I needed today—confidence, authority, and an impenetrable shield against whatever Rowan might throw my way.

"Mommy, where are you going?" Grace's sleepy voice came from behind me. I turned to find her standing in the doorway of my bedroom, her pink pajamas rumpled and her hair a wild tangle of curls. Samuel appeared beside her, his pajama top buttoned slightly askew, but his eyes alert and watchful.

I crouched down, automatically reaching to straighten Samuel's collar. "Mommy has an important business meeting today," I explained, smoothing his dark hair. "I'll be back as soon as I can."

Samuel studied me with an intensity. "Is it about your technology work?"

"Yes, sweetheart," I replied, wondering how a four-year-old could look so serious. "Some people are interested in the special computer chips I design."

Grace wrapped her arms around my leg. "I don't want you to go. What if you don't come back again?"

My heart clenched. I gently pried her arms loose and lifted her chin to meet my gaze. "I will always come back to you two. Always. This is just a meeting, and it won't take long."

"Promise?" Grace's lower lip trembled.

"Cross my heart," I said, making the gesture that always reassured her.

A knock at the door announced Isla's arrival. She entered with her usual efficiency, tablet in hand. "The car is waiting downstairs, Ms. Sinclair. And Emily, the childcare, has arrived as well."

I nodded, then turned to my children. "Emily will stay with you while I'm gone. She has lots of fun activities planned."

"I don't need a babysitter," Samuel stated flatly. "I'm old enough to take care of Grace."

I suppressed a smile at his serious expression. "I know you're very responsible, Samuel, but all children need adult supervision. Even brilliant ones like you."

As I gathered my documents, I leaned down to kiss each of their foreheads. "Be good, listen to Emily, and stay in the hotel. I'll call to check on you."

Grace threw her arms around my neck. "Bye, Mommy! We'll be super good, promise!"

Samuel stood straight, his small shoulders squared. "I'll look after Grace. You focus on your work."

The earnestness in his voice sent a pang through my chest. I hugged him tightly, whispering, "I know you will. I'll be back soon."

---

Whitaker Tower stood as a testament to Rowan's success and power—sixty stories of architectural brilliance dominating the skyline. As we pulled up to the entrance, I took a deep breath, centering myself.

In the vast marble lobby, Ethan Wright waited, impeccably dressed in a charcoal suit. His expression betrayed nothing as he approached.

"Ms. Sinclair, welcome to Whitaker Holdings." His voice was smooth and professional. "Mr. Whitaker is expecting you in his office."

As we rode the elevator to the executive floor, Ethan filled the silence with details about Whitaker's recent achievements. "The company has expanded into quantum computing in the last three years, with particular focus on neural interface technology."

I merely nodded, noting how employees glanced our way as we passed through the open workspace. Some whispered behind their hands, their curious stares following me. Ethan noticed too, silencing them with a sharp look.

"Mr. Whitaker's office," Ethan announced, stopping at a set of imposing double doors. He knocked twice, and Rowan's deep voice responded from within.

"Come in."

Rowan stood with his back to the door, silhouetted against floor-to-ceiling windows that offered a panoramic view of Los Angeles. When he turned, I caught a flicker of something—anticipation, perhaps—before his features settled into professional neutrality.

"Harper." My name on his lips still carried a hint of intimacy that I refused to acknowledge.

Ethan pulled out a chair for me at the conference table. Rowan nodded at him and my assistant. "Thank you, Ethan. If you and Ms. Sinclair's assistant could wait outside, please."

Isla glanced at me for confirmation. I gave her a subtle nod, and she departed with Ethan, closing the door behind them.

Silence filled the room. Rowan moved to a sleek coffee machine in the corner. "Still take your latte with less sugar, extra milk?"

"Your memory serves you well," I replied coolly, watching as he prepared the drink with practiced movements.

He placed the cup before me. "You've changed, Harper."

I took a small sip, maintaining eye contact. "People change, Mr. Whitaker. Especially after betrayal."

A muscle tightened in his jaw, but he quickly masked it with a businesslike smile. "I'd like to discuss the past, but since you insist on keeping this professional..." He retrieved an elegant leather folder from his desk and slid it across to me. "Whitaker Holdings would like exclusive rights to your quantum chip. We believe it would revolutionize our computing division."

I leafed through the proposal, noting the detailed technical specifications and integration plans. Professional as always, I kept my expression neutral despite the impressive figures on the compensation page.

"And we'd like to bring you on as a special consultant to help implement this technology," Rowan continued. "The compensation package is on the final page."

The number made my eyebrows rise slightly before I could control my reaction. It was astronomically generous—far above market value for such a position.

"You think you can buy me?" I asked, closing the folder deliberately.

"What do you want then?" Rowan leaned forward, his voice softening. "Whatever I can give you..."

I met his gaze steadily. "I want Sinclair Technologies back."

The change in his expression was instantaneous—surprise followed by a hardening of his features. "Why?"

"It's my father's legacy. My family's company." My voice remained ice-cold. "You acquired it at a fraction of its worth during our crisis. It's time for it to return to its rightful owner."

Rowan stood, moving to the window. "Harper, you know the situation back then. Sinclair was facing bankruptcy. I stepped in to save it."

"Save it?" I couldn't help the bitter laugh that escaped. "Or exploit its vulnerability?"

He turned, his expression conflicted. "Sinclair Technologies is now fully integrated into Whitaker's infrastructure. Extracting it would be incredibly disruptive."

"That's your answer then?" I gathered my documents, preparing to leave. "Pretty words but still keeping what belongs to my family?"

"Harper, that's not—" Rowan stepped closer. "I can increase the compensation, even give you management control of Sinclair, but ownership must remain with Whitaker."

I stood, facing him squarely. "Then we have nothing more to discuss."

Rowan moved with surprising speed, blocking my path to the door. "I won't accept that. Your technology is vital to Whitaker's future plans. I'm not letting you walk away."

The tension in the room crackled between us when suddenly the door swung open without warning. Beckett Lawson strode in, a confident smile lighting his handsome face.

Ethan hurried in behind him, looking apologetic. "Mr. Whitaker, I couldn't stop Mr. Lawson from—"

"It's fine, Ethan," Rowan cut him off, his eyes never leaving Beckett's face. "What brings you to my office, Lawson?"

Beckett nodded politely in my direction before answering. "Dr. Harper's chip, of course. I heard she was meeting with you and thought I'd stop by to see how the negotiations were progressing."

"You're interrupting a private meeting," Rowan stated coldly.

Beckett's smile didn't falter. "In a free market, Dr. Harper deserves to hear all offers. I'm confident my proposal will be more... sincere than Whitaker's."

Rowan's expression darkened dangerously. "You're trying to poach a potential partner in my own office?"

"I'm offering Dr. Harper options," Beckett replied smoothly, turning to me. "After all, she should choose the partner who values her contribution most."

I remained silent, observing the tension between the two men with calculated interest. The power dynamics had shifted in my favor, and I wasn't about to interrupt.

The atmosphere in the office grew heavy with unspoken threats and business rivalry. I could almost see the chess pieces moving as these two titans of industry positioned themselves around me—both wanting what I had, both determined to win.