Page 6 of In Bed with the Ice Queen

“Middle ground?” Helena scoffed, leaning back in her chair. “You’re talking about incorporating all sorts of benefits that will weigh us down. We have to look at the bigger picture.” She emphasized her words, hoping to intimidate them into silence.

Another Thompson Industries representative, a woman with dark hair pulled into a tight bun, frowned. “But we have employees who have been with us for years. They deserve some assurance that their hard work and dedication will be recognized.” “Look,” Helena replied, her tone now a bit sharper. “I understand loyalty, but this is business. If we start throwing around guarantees, the numbers just don’t add up. We all want what’s best, but we also have to be realistic.” Her eyes darted from one person to another, anticipating their reactions.

Sloane raised her hand slightly. “Let’s refocus on the proposal. What does Thompson Industries need to stay afloat during this time?” She looked directly at the representatives.

The thinning-haired man spoke again. “If we could negotiate a transitional phase where most employees are kept on for at least a year without losing their current contracts, that could work. We believe that would help our employees trust the new structure.”

Helena pursed her lips, considering their request. “A year?” she echoed, her voice dripping with skepticism. “That’s a long time. You must think we’re made of money. We can give you six months. That’s reasonable.”

The room fell silent, and everyone exchanged glances. Sloane’s brow furrowed.

“Ms. Wolfe,” Sloane interjected gently, “what if we thought about this from a different angle? Building good faith now could pay off later, don’t you think?” Helena waved her hand dismissively. She wouldn’t be swayed by Sloane’s calm voice. “This isn’t about feelings. It’s about facts. We need to protect our company. If Thompson Industries can’t accept what we’re offering, then maybe this merger isn’t as beneficial as we thought.” She stood up, as if preparing to leave. The others exchanged nervous glances, unsure of their next move.

“Please, let’s not act hastily,” Sloane urged. “We can work together to find a solution that makes sense for both sides.”

As the debate unfolded, representatives from both companies began raising their voices, presenting their cases like it was a game of tug-of-war. Helena’s dismissive attitude only heightened the fervor in the room, and tensions reached a boiling point.

After what felt like hours, Sloane stood up suddenly and Helena felt her gaze sweep over the length of Sloane Callahan’s body in her lovely dark blue pantsuit.

“Enough!” Sloane exclaimed, startling everyone. “We’re all here because we want a successful outcome. I suggest we take a break, gather our thoughts, and come back with fresh eyes.”

Helena crossed her arms, frowning but remaining silent, feeling a mix of frustration and admiration for Sloane’s boldness.

As the representatives filed out of the room, Helena exhaled sharply. The negotiation was far from over, but it was clear they needed to refocus. She hoped it would end in a way that favored Wolfe Enterprises. She glanced at Sloane, knowing they had more work to do.

“Do you think we should go over the merger numbers again?” Mark asked. He was always the peacemaker, but Helena just felt irritated.

“For a third time?” Helena snapped, sitting up straighter. “What’s wrong with you two? Haven’t we gone through this already?” She realized her tone was harsher than she intended, but the pressure felt overwhelming.

“Whoa, easy there,” Mark said, raising his hands as if backing away from a wild animal. “We’re just trying to help, Helena.”

Sarah looked down at the documents she held, her face tightening. “Yeah, we just want to make sure everything’s perfect.”

Helena took a deep breath, the reality of her sharp words hitting her. She could feel the heat creeping up her cheeks. “Sorry, I didn’t mean to come off like that.” She ran her fingers through her hair, nervously tapping her nails on the wooden conference table. “Sarah, Mark, you guys are everything to me at this company, and I treat you guys the worst sometimes. I’m sorry. I just had a tough call with my dad. He’s…he’s really putting the pressure on me.”

Mark’s voice softened. “Your dad can be intense. You’re doing a great job, Helena. He doesn’t see everything you’ve accomplished.”

Sarah nodded, adding, “And we’re here with you, every step of the way. You know that, right?”

Helena looked at her two colleagues, the warmth of their support washing over her like a gentle breeze. “I know, I know. I appreciate you both.”

“Just don’t forget to take care of yourself too,” Sarah said. “You can’t pour from an empty cup.”

“I’ll try to remember that.” Helena forced a smile.

Sloane cleared her throat, startling them. They hadn’t realized that she had been standing in the doorframe listening to their conversation. “Ms. Wolfe, I think we all want this merger to go smoothly, and we’re lucky to know what everyone needs for this to work.”

Helena chuckled softly. “You’re right. Teamwork makes the dream work, as they say.”

As the tension began to fade, Helena felt a flicker of pride in her chest. This was her company, her team. They were a family, even if it was a dysfunctional one at times.

Sloane walked across the room, her eyes sparkling as she took her seat across from Helena. Though Sloane was only a few years younger than her, she had a command that made her seem years older. Helena felt frustrated by Sloane Callahan, even though she felt a little calmer for the break, Sloane was beginning to have a bit of an affect on her and she couldn’t afford to be distracted during this.

Once everyone was seated again, Sloane said, “Alright, let’s get back to it. We need to discuss the asking price for Thompson Industries. There’s still a large discrepancy, and we need to bridge that gap.”

Helena leaned forward, her eyebrows furrowing slightly. “I understand that, but we need to consider the long-term benefits here. Wolfe Enterprises can't just meet the asking price without reviewing the potential growth that Thompson brings to the table.”

Sloane nodded, her expression unyielding. “I agree, but I think it’s important to recognize the value of their existing team. You’re planning to take on all their employees, right?”

---