The following morning, Apex Raven Global was unusually busy.
Employees moved through the corridors with files in their hands while lawyers prepared documents for the meeting.
Jane stood outside Raven's office, reviewing the schedule.
"Everything is ready."
Raven didn't look up.
"Legal?"
"Ready."
"Finance?"
"Ready."
"Security?"
Jane nodded.
"Already arranged."
Raven finally looked up.
"And Eleanor Vance?"
"She arrived ten minutes ago."
Raven glanced at the clock.
"Bring her in."
Jane smiled slightly.
"She's with her legal team."
"Good."
Jane left.
Raven stood and adjusted her black jacket.
The familiar mask covered her face.
The silver raven insignia rested against the side.
She walked into the boardroom.
Everyone immediately stood.
"Good morning, Ms. Raven."
"Sit."
Everyone sat.
A few seconds later, the doors opened.
Eleanor walked in with Sebastian, two lawyers, and her financial adviser.
She wore an elegant dark suit, her hair neatly styled.
Raven's eyes briefly met hers.
Eleanor smiled.
"Good morning."
"Ms. Vance."
They took their seats.
Jane distributed the revised documents.
Raven looked toward her legal adviser.
"Begin."
The meeting started.
For the next forty minutes, they went through every disputed clause.
Liability.
Investment percentages.
Operational control.
Exit conditions.
Confidentiality.
Nothing was overlooked.
Eleanor challenged several points.
Raven challenged several of hers.
Neither woman backed down.
Eventually, one of Raven's lawyers sighed.
"If we continue like this, we could spend another month negotiating."
Eleanor smiled.
"Then perhaps we should stop negotiating and solve the problem."
Raven looked at her.
"How?"
"Compromise."
Raven leaned back.
"I'm listening."
Eleanor pointed to the agreement.
"You want control over the investment decisions."
"Yes."
"And we want control over our existing operations."
"Correct."
"Then divide them."
Raven was silent.
Eleanor continued.
"Apex Raven Global controls the investment side. Vance Capital Holdings controls the operations. Major decisions require approval from both companies."
Raven looked toward her legal team.
One of them nodded.
"That could work."
Raven looked back at Eleanor.
"Agreed."
The lawyers immediately began making notes.
Jane glanced at Raven.
She knew that look.
Raven was impressed.
The meeting continued for another hour.
Eventually, the final document was placed on the table.
Eleanor looked at it.
"So we're agreed?"
Raven picked up her pen.
"We're agreed."
Both women signed.
The lawyers followed.
Sebastian smiled.
"Congratulations."
Eleanor shook Raven's hand.
"I'm looking forward to working with you."
Raven's gloved hand closed around hers.
For a brief moment, neither woman moved.
Something strange passed between them.
Eleanor felt it first.
A subtle shift in Raven's aura.
Raven felt it too.
Eleanor's scent was different from any Omega she had encountered.
Not weak.
Not submissive.
Powerful.
Controlled.
Raven slowly released her hand.
"Likewise."
Eleanor returned to her seat.
Jane noticed the brief exchange but said nothing.
She knew better.
After the documents were collected, the lawyers began leaving the room.
Sebastian gathered Eleanor's files.
"Shall we?"
Eleanor nodded.
She stood.
"Thank you for your time, Ms. Raven."
Raven looked at her.
"You're welcome."
Eleanor walked toward the door.
Then she stopped.
She turned around.
"May I ask you something?"
Raven nodded.
"Go ahead."
"Why the mask?"
The room became quiet.
Jane looked at Eleanor.
Sebastian froze.
Raven remained perfectly still.
For several seconds, she said nothing.
Then she answered.
"Privacy."
Eleanor studied her.
"That simple?"
"Yes."
Eleanor smiled.
"I suppose everyone deserves privacy."
She turned toward the door.
"Until next time, Ms. Raven."
Raven watched her leave.
"Until next time."
The door closed.
Jane looked at Raven.
"You didn't answer her question."
"I did."
"Not really."
Raven returned to her chair.
"Jane."
"Yes?"
"Do you have something to say?"
Jane smiled.
"No, ma'am."
"Good."
Jane began gathering the remaining documents.
Then she paused.
"She's different."
Raven looked at her.
"Who?"
Jane gave her a knowing look.
"Ms. Vance."
Raven's expression remained unreadable.
"She knows what she wants."
Jane nodded.
"So do you."
Raven didn't respond.
Because for the first time in a long time, she wasn't completely sure what she wanted.
Across town, Eleanor sat inside her car.
Sebastian was reviewing the signed documents.
"That went well."
Eleanor looked through the window.
"Yes."
Sebastian glanced at her.
"You're quiet."
"I'm thinking."
"About the contract?"
Eleanor smiled faintly.
"Mostly."
Sebastian knew better than to ask.
He returned to his documents.
Eleanor looked at the Apex Raven Global building disappearing behind them.
There was something about Raven she couldn't explain.
The mask.
The cold aura.
The silence.
The way she seemed to know exactly what she wanted.
Eleanor had met powerful Alphas before.
But Raven was different.
And Eleanor had a feeling that their business partnership was only the beginning.
She just didn't know what it would become yet.