Chapter 5 The Battle Of Wits

With her fingers clenched like a weapon around the presentation remote, Genevieve stood at the head of the long, glass conference table. Powerful men in fitted suits packed the boardroom, their eyes evaluating, doubtful. Her pulse pounded and her blood simmered as Silas Rockwell, seated in his chair at the far end of the room, radiated effortless power. She cleared her throat. "After evaluating the acquisition's risks, I've managed to turn it into a high-reward opportunity." Click. The room was brightened by the first slide's clear numbers and calculated observations. With a steady voice and assurance like silk-wrapped steel, she started. Silas, however, remained silent. He just observed. She began to doubt everything because of his prolonged quiet and unreadable countenance. Genevieve persisted, advancing, outlining predictions and contingencies, her plan piercing any possible objection they may raise. Then she was done. Quiet. Like an impending storm, the anxiety grew. Silas moved, striking the table's glossy wood with his extended fingers. "That was a lot of ambition." The room was filled with a murmur. Genevieve waited, bracing herself. Then, with a voice as silky as sin, Silas leaned forward. "And wholly unrealistic." A dagger. Sharp and accurate. brutal. She exhaled the air. A rippling of whispers. While some waited for her response, others nodded in accord. Genevieve was not going to break. She stood up straight and met his gaze. "You're not correct." Silas raised an eyebrow, curious. "Am I?" They had issued the challenge. Furthermore, Genevieve Montgomery never gave up. Is she able to persuade the board that Silas is the one who made the error? Tension crackled in the air. Slowly, Genevieve took a breath to regain her composure. Respectfully speaking, Mr. Rockwell, you're taking a defensive stance on this. I'm planning ahead. Not quite a frown, not nearly a smirk, Silas's lips quivered. "Explain." To go to the next slide, Genevieve clicked. "The risk of revenue loss within the first quarter will be eliminated if we adhere to my suggested integration model." Silas observed, but suddenly something was different. Interest. Her voice remained steady as she went on, piercing the tension with incisive, indisputable reasoning. A seasoned executive with decades of experience in the field pushed forward as one of the board members did. "She presents a strong case, I must say." Silas remained silent. The pressure increased. Then he got up. As he approached, Genevieve's heart raced, his presence a fire that threatened to engulf the place. His demeanor was impossible to decipher as he examined her. At last, he let out a quiet, deliberate breath. "Interesting." The air was broken by one word. Acceptance. The test was successful. Genevieve was aware that she had prevailed in this round. But at what price? Silas is actually observing her for the first time; is this a sign of admiration or a warning? The board adjourned their meeting. Only two remained when the execs packed out, muttering about dangers and projections. Silas. Genevieve, too. He turned to face her, moving slowly and purposefully. Her pulse hammered in her throat, but she pushed herself to stay motionless. His voice was quiet but steely as he said, "You just made my board question me." Genevieve took a swallow. "I disproved them." With a tangible presence, Silas took a step closer. "I was proven wrong by you." She gasped. Then he grinned. Dark. I'm amused. There's something else hiding underneath. “You’re either very courageous, Ms. Montgomery,” he whispered, “or very stupid. She bawled her fingers into fists. "What do you believe it to be?" Silas cocked his head, examining her as though she were a riddle he was unable to answer. At last, he moved closer, speaking barely audible. "I haven't made up my mind yet." The air between them was hazy, hazardous, and electrifying. Then he left without saying another word. With her hands shaking at her sides, Genevieve let out a breath. Today, she prevailed. However, she sensed that she had just entered a much more hazardous situation. Silas is more than just interested. He is observing. Awaiting. What is it that he truly desires from her? Executives spoke to one another about the meeting's surprising conclusion as the boardroom gradually emptied. With her heart still pounding and her back straight, Genevieve stood at the head of the table. For the time being, she had prevailed. She made Silas listen even though he had rejected her pitch. to think again. And for the first time, he had considered her a contender rather than a bother. She ought to have felt triumphant. Rather, she had the impression of just escaped prey. She sensed another eye watching her from the other side of the room. Gideon Mercer caught Genevieve's attention as she turned slightly. Silas's biggest adversary. With his arms folded and a sly sneer tugging at his lips, he was leaning against the distant wall. Tall, well-groomed, and naturally charming. His eyes, however, were calculating and keen. The word "Impressive," he whispered. Genevieve stiffened. Men like Gideon Mercer's compliments were not credible to her. He went on to say, "You stood your ground against Rockwell," as he moved closer and pushed off the wall. "Not many people have the spine for that." Genevieve's chin tipped. "I wasn’t aware you kept track of Silas’s battles." Gideon laughed. "I keep track of everything that matters." He looked at her, evaluating. Like a strategist assessing an opportunity, rather than a man observing a woman. He said, "Let me give you some advice," with a slight dropping of his voice. "Silas dislikes being outwitted." He will strike back. Genevieve was not going to hesitate. "I can handle him." Gideon grinned more broadly. "We’ll see." Then a shadow appeared behind her before she could answer. The atmosphere changed. Silas. "Mercer," Silas replied in a chilly, slightly menacing voice. Gideon turned without flinching. "Rockwell." They were engaged in an old, painful conflict of silent tension. Gideon gave Genevieve another look and grinned. He said, "Interesting hire," and then walked out of the room, passing them. Genevieve let out a breath, but Silas's voice broke the silence before she could move. "Come to my office." Without a doubt. An order. Genevieve's jaw tightened. There would be no good in whatever came next. Did she just enter a far larger conflict than she had anticipated? Towering over the city below, Silas's office was a steel and glass fortress. Willing her heart to slow, Genevieve entered the room. With his hands in his pockets, Silas stood by the window facing her. It was oppressively tense. At last he turned. Something unreadable flared in his blue eyes. "You enjoyed that, didn’t you?" he asked. Genevieve's arms were folded. "Enjoy what?" He smirked slowly and deliberately. "Defying me." She wouldn't take her eyes off it. "I enjoyed proving I belong here." Silence for a beat. Then, a risky change. Silas took a long, methodical stride forward. predator. He said, "You're either very ambitious or very reckless." Even though Genevieve's heart was racing, she was not going to give up. "Or maybe I just know my worth." Silas's eyes darkened as he observed her. Then at last he spoke something. "You’ll work directly under me from now on." Her stomach fell. An examination? A penalty? A snare? She trained her facial expression. "Are you certain that's a good idea? The office rumors…." "I don’t care about gossip," he said with ease. "Results are important to me. Did you want to establish your worth? This is your opportunity. Genevieve's breathing became labored. There was something almost menacing in Silas's voice as it lowered. "Don’t disappoint me, Ms. Montgomery." She took a deep breath. She wasn't sure whether she had won or had simply wandered into his game for the first time. But is Genevieve playing on his board or is she his next target now that Silas has made his move?