Page 7 of Billionaire Wolf Needs a Chef

The drive to Cam's Comfy Cuisine headquarters was short, and before long, the towering glass structure came into view. It was a monument to my success, a symbol of everything I'd built.

I stepped out of the car, my polished leather shoes silent against the pavement as I walked the familiar path to the entrance. 7:00 a.m. sharp. Right on time, as always. The receptionist greeted me with a smile that I barely acknowledged, my mind already racing with the day's agenda.

Brody was already waiting for me in the lobby, his expression uncharacteristically serious. He fell into step beside me as we headed toward the conference room.

"Boris is already here," he said, his voice low. "He's in the conference room, looking smug as ever."

"Of course he is," I muttered, my jaw tightening. Boris Tanner thrived on other people's misery, and I had no doubt he was here to gloat.

Boris was seated at the head of the table, his legs crossed and a smirk plastered across his face. His polished exterior couldn't hide the venom beneath.

"Cameron," he said, his voice dripping with false sincerity. "It's been a while."

"Boris," I replied. "Let's skip the pleasantries, shall we? I assume you're here to waste my time."

He chuckled, leaning back in his chair. "Always so direct. I admire that. But I'm not here to waste your time. I'm here to make you an offer."

I raised an eyebrow, crossing my arms over my chest. "An offer? Let me guess," I said, my voice dripping with skepticism. "You want to buy me out. Or merge. Or whatever you're calling it these days."

Boris' smirk widened, and he leaned forward, resting his elbows on the table. "Not exactly. I'm proposing a partnership. Gourmand's Galore and Cam's Comfy Cuisine. Together, we could dominate the market. Think of it, Cameron. Two powerhouses united."

I let out a short, humorless laugh. "You think I'd work with you? After everything you've pulled? Let me remind you, Boris, your company's so-called innovations have been nothing more than thinly veiled rip-offs of my ideas."

His expression darkened, but he quickly masked it with another smirk. "Business is business, Cameron. And right now, your business is in trouble. I'm offering you a lifeline."

"I don't need your lifeline," I said, my tone icy. "Cam's Comfy Cuisine will recover, and we'll do it without your interference. Now, if that's all, I have work to do."

For a moment, Boris said nothing, his gaze hardening as he studied me. Then, he stood, smoothing the front of his suit. "Very well. Just remember, Cameron, this isn't over. I'll be watching."

"Do that," I replied, my voice steady. "But don't expect me to roll over."

He gave me a curt nod before striding out of the room, his arrogance lingering like a bad smell. As soon as the door closed behind him, I released the breath I'd been holding, my hands clenching into fists at my sides.

"That man is a snake," Brody said, stepping into the room. He'd been silent during the meeting, but I could see the tension in his posture.

"He's worse than a snake," I muttered, walking over to the window. The city sprawled out below was a reminder of how far I had come and how far I had to fall if I lost. "He's a parasite. A scavenging vulture feeding on other people's weaknesses. But Boris is going to learn, I don't roll over for anyone." I squeezed my fists. Control. Dominance. I had to stay on top.

Brody joined me at the window, his expression thoughtful. "He's not wrong, though. The company is in trouble. We need to do something fast before the stock price plummets any further."

I ran a hand through my hair, frustration bubbling beneath the surface. "I know. But I'm not about to let Boris Tanner dictate my next move. We'll find a way out of this. We always have."

A tense silence settled between us, the weight of the situation pressing down on my shoulders. I turned away from the window, pacing the length of the room. My mind raced, searching for answers, for a solution that didn't involve bending to Boris' will.

"What about her?" Brody asked abruptly, breaking the silence.

I stopped in my tracks, glancing at him. "Her?"

"Ivy," he said, his tone casual but his gaze sharp. "She was in the kitchen all day yesterday, experimenting with new recipes. I tasted one of her test dishes, some kind of soup. It's good, Cameron. Really good. Maybe she's the spark we need to shake things up."

"She's untested," I snarled. My canines pressed sharply into my tongue. Brody's eyes dropped to my mouth. Shit. I was losingcontrol. I forced myself to take a calming breath and hold the wolf back. "We don't have the luxury of experimenting."

"You're the one who's always saying we need to take risks," Brody countered, his tone firm. "Ivy's talented, and she's got fresh ideas. If anyone can help us turn this around, it's her."

I turned to face him, my jaw tightening. "Brody, this isn't just about her talent. She's different. She doesn't fit the company strategy, and I can't afford any more instability."

Brody raised an eyebrow, a knowing look in his eyes. "Instability, or something else?"

I glared at him, but he didn't flinch. He'd been my confidant for years, and he knew me better than most. Too well, sometimes.

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