My Fiancé Chose Her So I Chose Myself Chapter 12
The acquisition negotiations took place the next day in the top-floor conference room of Northstar’s Chicago office.
I sat at the head of the table, reviewing the documents Marissa handed me.
Travis was there as TerraGrid’s management representative, with Evan beside him. A Lakecrest council observer was also present.
Neither of them had relaxed since the moment the meeting began.
The negotiation lasted three hours.
Based on cash flow, debt, patent risk, and territory licensing gaps, our independent assessment team had sharply reduced TerraGrid’s valuation. I walked them through the figures one by one, laying out the basis for each contract term.
I added no personal demands.
But the cold rigor of the terms stripped Travis of all the advantages he was used to.
He stared at the revised acquisition agreement, his face growing paler by the second.
“Ms. Whitman, the board will never accept this valuation. Existing shareholders would lose almost all control, and Lakecrest’s corporate representative seat would be subject to review.”
His voice was low. By the end of the sentence, he had dropped the formal address.
“Natalie, you know me. TerraGrid is everything I’ve worked for. Can’t you—”
“Mr. Vale.” I cut him off. “TerraGrid has seen revenue decline for three consecutive quarters. There are gaps in your financial disclosures, and the Lakecrest council has already issued corrective notices. Our offer already reflects the fact that your patents and energy network still hold commercial value.”