Page 268 of Double or Nothing

Stupid calculations from his ruthless mind.

“The key,” Christopher continues, “is to move before Whitmore realises how strong our position is.”

I keep my expression still.

Our position is to not move at all. Not yet. That’s what my PowerPoint slide was actually explaining.

That’s supposedly the entire purpose of the next phase of the project, the stupid idiot. Two of Landia’s largest investors hold a substantial share between them. If either decides our offer is under par, the whole thing will fall apart, and that’s the last thing we want.

I know this because I’ve spoken to the people representing them. Many times. I met them again yesterday, in fact, while Christopher was out choosing a new sports car.

“The timing requires care,” I interject. “Careful consideration. Nurture.”

His attention turns towards me.

“Of course it does, Bryce. That’s what I was stating.”

My fingers tighten around my pen.

No you weren’t, asshole.

Bill looks up from the report in front of him, finally meets my eyes for once. It’s an increasing rarity.

“Elaborate please, Bryce.”

“Whitmore would rally with every major investor the moment he suspected a takeover at this stage, and rightly so. If we reveal any contrary plans, Landia will jump into action before we have the network in place to stop them. That wouldn’t serve any of us.”

Christopher gives me that cocky smile of his. A hollow laugh.

“That’s assuming Whitmore behaves rationally.”

“It assumes he behaves as he has in every major negotiation over the past decade,” I say. “I know, because I’ve seen it.”

A couple of the board members glance down at their papers. Nobody smiles, but I feel the shift.

They know I’m right.

More importantly, Christopher knows I’m right.

He saunters towards the windows, still playing Mr Know It All.

“In Chicago, we found that relying too heavily on previous behaviour only limits the available options.”

There it is again.

Chicago.

The mythical financial kingdom where seemingly Christopher reinvented global business psychology.

“This isn’t Chicago,” I say. “And Landia isn’t one of your previous deals.”

He turns to face me.

“No, it’s substantially smaller.”

“I’d say that makes it harder. Personal attachment can be a very hard thing to use figures against.”

Christopher’s jaw tightens.