Sebastian's POV
"Absolutely not." The words came out harsher than intended, cutting through the sterile air of the conference room. "These numbers are complete nonsense."
Dominic shifted beside me, his jaw clenched tight with the same frustration burning through my veins. On the oversized monitor, three faces from the Ostarian board stared back at us with practiced indifference, as if they were discussing the weather rather than trying to destroy months of careful planning.
Theodore Baxter, the silver-haired patriarch of their little tribunal, pushed his wire-rimmed glasses up his nose. "The projections are quite accurate, Mr. Sterling. Our analysis indicates the organic certification process will demand an additional forty percent beyond your initial investment to meet current standards."
"That's impossible." I slammed the folder shut, papers scattering. "We had independent consultants verify every cost. Organic certification fees are standardized across the industry."
