Page 1 of In Bed with the Ice Queen

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HELENA

Helena Wolfe stood in front of the large window in her office high above downtown Los Angeles. The sun was setting, casting a golden glow over the city, and she watched cars moving like ants on the streets below. Today, she wore a crisp black suit that hugged her figure perfectly, and her dark red bob gleamed under the bright lights of the office.

In the large conference room, her colleagues gathered around a long glass table. Papers were spread out, and everyone looked tense but excited. The team was finally starting to feel more like one she wanted around her and not one her dad built. She looked around, noting the faces of those she still did not trust. Some of them seemed tired and unmotivated, slouching, staring off. She took mental notes as usual.

“Is everyone here?” she called over her shoulder, her voice cool and clear. Helena, as CEO of Wolfe Enterprises, was known for being direct. She liked to think it was because of her sharp mind and even sharper strategies.

“Yes, Helena,” replied Mark, her right-hand man, as he pushed his glasses up his nose. He was eager, always ready forthe next challenge. “We’re just waiting for Sarah to connect the calls with the other team.”

Helena nodded and turned back to look at the city. She liked to watch the sun dip below the horizon. It reminded her of how quickly opportunities could disappear. She had her eye on a big prize: a rival company that had been struggling financially. Helena could see the chance to buy them and grow the family empire.

Just then, the door swung open, and Sarah rushed in, holding a tablet. “Sorry I’m late! I was making sure we had all the numbers right.”

“Numbers are everything in this game, Sarah,” Helena said, her tone icy. “Let’s get started.”

All eyes were glued on Helena as she took her seat at the head of the conference table. She scanned the faces of her team and felt a mix of nervousness and determination.

“Here’s the plan,” she began, her brown eyes glinting with focus. “We’re going to offer them an acquisition deal they can’t refuse. This is about more than just numbers. It’s about taking control. Yes, it would be a merger, but with our leverage, we will reap all the benefits and erase their brand from people’s thoughts. Unless they don’t want it to be gone, then we act like they’re a part of us, which they will be.”

Mark leaned forward, folding his hands. “What’s our first offer? We need to strike hard and fast.”

Helena flicked through her papers, revealing charts filled with numbers and arrows pointing to growth. “I want to start with a bid that’s three million below their asking price. They need to know we mean business.”

“Should we mention our competitors?” Sarah asked, glancing down at her notes.

Helena smirked slightly. “Oh, of course. Let them think they have other options, but show them how much better we are. Confidence is key.”

The group nodded in agreement, and Helena continued, “They might try to play hardball with us. Be prepared. They’ll probably throw in a few ridiculous demands.”

Mark chuckled softly. “Like a golden parachute for their CEO?”

“Yes,” Helena replied, smiling for the first time during the meeting.

Mark was often the only person she had a soft spot for to allow moments of silliness, and it helped her maintain her image of being collaborative. The corners of her mouth lifted, but there was still a spark of seriousness in her eyes. “But remember, we are not just buying their problems. We’re buying their potential.”

The phone on the table buzzed loudly, interrupting the moment. Sarah quickly grabbed it. “Sarah from Wolfe Enterprises.” She paused as the person on the other end of the line spoke to her. “Yes, we’re ready to discuss the acquisition.”

Helena leaned back, crossing her arms, and watched closely as the call unfolded. She could tell by Sarah’s eyes that the other team was on edge. After a few tense moments, Sarah nodded and said, “Yes, we’re prepared to make an offer, but first, let’s talk numbers.”

The conversation went back and forth, and Helena could see how nerve-wracking it was for Sarah. Helena had been in those shoes before. She knew the tension of trying to negotiate with another company while knowing at any moment the deal could fall through.

“Are they taking this seriously?” Helena whispered to Mark, who was watching intently.

“I think so,” he replied. “But they might want to squeeze us for more money. They know they’re in a weak position, but they’ll still try their chances.”

Helena tapped a pen against the table, her mind racing. She could almost taste the acquisition. It would give Wolfe Enterprises access to new technology and markets. They needed this. She needed it.

Finally, after what felt like an eternity, Sarah turned to Helena, her face brightening. “They’re willing to consider our offer! They just want a few days to consult with their board before giving us a final answer.”

Helena’s eyes sparkled. “Good. We’ll make them an irresistible offer, and while they think, we’ll prepare our counteroffer. This is just the first step.”

The team erupted with cheers and smiles, but Helena’s demeanor remained cool. She liked to encourage her team, but she couldn’t let them forget the reality of their situation.

“We’ll celebrate later,” she reminded them. “Right now, we need to work harder. We have a lot to prepare, and nothing is final until the papers are signed.”

As the meeting wrapped up, Helena couldn’t shake the feelings of hope and possibility. She stepped back toward the window, looking out at the city that stretched endlessly before her. In her world, every success was just a stepping stone to the next challenge.

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