Page 4 of In Bed with the Ice Queen

"It’s not quaint, Dad. It’s smart planning. When it’s ready, I’ll have more than just numbers on a piece of paper for you."

"You better, or I’ll have to rethink who runs this company."

Without another word, he hung up, leaving Helena staring at the screen, the weight of his words sinking deep.

The sunlight now felt too bright, and the reports on her desk seemed to taunt her. She wasn’t just battling spreadsheets and mergers. She was battling her father’s expectations and the pressure of being the one chosen to lead Wolfe Enterprises.

2

SLOANE

Sloane Callahan sat in her modern office in Callahan Legal. The sun poured through the tall windows, casting an elegant glow on her desk. Her loose, curly brown hair bounced around her shoulders as she moved, and her light blue eyes sparkled. Today was a big day. She was preparing to negotiate a crucial merger for her client Thompson Industries.

She picked up her pen and tapped it against the desk as she scrolled through the proposal documents. She knew this merger was important—not just for Thompson Industries, but for the workers and community they served. Each line of the contract weighed heavily on her mind. She took a deep breath and looked around her office at the framed awards and photos of past successful negotiations. This wasn’t just any case, though. It was a chance to make a real difference in preventing a monopoly.

“Is everyone ready?” she called out, glancing over to her lead negotiator, Jake, who was laid back in his chair, poring over the numbers.

Jake looked up, his brow furrowed. “Sloane, we have to be careful. You know who we’re up against?”

Sloane nodded. The name "Helena Wolfe" sent chills down the spines of many in the corporate world. The new CEO of Wolfe Enterprises had built her reputation through fierce negotiation tactics and a cold, calculating style that made even the toughest players nervous. With her dark red bob and icy demeanor, Helena was a tough opponent.

“I know,” Sloane said with confidence. “But we can’t let her intimidate us. We need to come out strong. What if we high-ball them first? We’d show them we mean business.”

But before Jake could respond, his face paled. He leaned forward, his eyes wide. “It’s too late, Sloane. They already low-balled us by three million.”

Sloane’s heart raced for a moment, feeling the urgency of the situation. “What? How could they do that?” She paused, agitation rising in her chest. “We can’t let that stand. We can’t let them push us around.”

Jake shifted uncomfortably in his chair. “I know, but the numbers are set. It’s not easy to recover from a low-ball offer like this. They’ll think we’re desperate.”

Sloane straightened her spine and fixed her gaze on Jake. “Listen, we need to counter it. I’m not about to let them walk all over us.”

Jake blinked, surprised at her fire. “How do you want to counter?”

“Simple. We go six million over what they asked. We show them we know our worth and we’re not afraid to fight for it. If they think they can lowball us and win, they’re mistaken.”

Jake nodded slowly. “But that’s a huge jump, especially after their initial offer.”

“Exactly!” Sloane exclaimed, her confidence shining through. “They need to know we mean business and that we're here to protect our client's interests—economically and ethically. We’renot going to sit back and take their scraps. It’s about setting the tone.”

Just then, Melissa, the office manager, peeked in. “Ms. Callahan, the car is ready for you to head to the meeting. Are you all set?”

Sloane turned to Melissa with a smile. “Thanks, Melissa.” She turned her focus back on Jake. “We’re going to make them rethink their strategy. Are you with me?”

Jake took a deep breath, a flicker of excitement igniting in his eyes. “Absolutely. Let’s do it.”

Sloane grabbed her briefcase, making sure all her documents were securely inside. She felt a rush of adrenaline as she marched toward the door, and she knew stifling any fears of Helena Wolfe was crucial. She had faced the icy CEO before, and she knew exactly how to deal with someone like her.

As they walked to the elevator, Jake whispered, “What if Helena flips out? She's known for being ruthless.”

Sloane chuckled softly, her eyes glinting with mischief. “Then we’ll show her we can be ruthless too. After all, this is business; it’s not personal. We just need to make sure Thompson Industries comes out on top.”

The elevator door opened, and they stepped inside. Sloane’s heart raced not with fear but with excitement. She could already imagine the intense back-and-forth negotiations ahead. She would be a force to reckon with, and nothing could stand in the way of delivering the best outcome for her client.

As they descended, Sloane practiced the words she would say. She mentally rehearsed her pitch, ready to confront Helena with confidence. The thought of facing her old rival only fueled her determination. Today would be a turning point, and she would not back down.

“Okay, be ready,” she whispered to herself. She couldn’t help but feel a rush of excitement mixed with nerves. There was a lotriding on this deal, and she wanted to ensure they came out on top without her client losing their ethical stance.

Sloane recalled the last time she had faced Helena Wolfe, the CEO of Wolfe Enterprises. Helena was a force to be reckoned with; she was sharp, stern, and always in control. Everyone in the industry knew her for being a hothead.

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