Jilted Ex-wife Billionaire Heiress novel Chapter 41

Chapter 41 The Whore of Babylon

The proposed joint project between Paragon and Kemp Industries,‘ Darya answered calmly.

‘But it says here you are paying us fifty per cent below market rate! Howard tossed the file back onto the table. ‘That’s insulting!

“That’s a lifeline for your company.‘ Darya remained unflappable, ‘Kemp Industries is in trouble. Your cash flow remained consecutively negative for the past three quarters. Banks are calling on their loans ahead of schedule. Rating agencies and auditors are sniffing around. Without a timely injection of cash, it’s highly doubtful if Kemp Industries can continue as a going concern.‘

Howard’s fleshy face paled visibly. ‘How did…how did you know that?‘

‘Your company’s financial statements are a matter of public record. It doesn’t take a genius to work out what’s going on.‘

Beads of sweat popped up on Howard’s forehead.

No one spoke as a team of waiters came in with the dishes ordered.

The room remained in tense silence after they left.

Howard picked up the file again and started going through it, in more detail this time.

Sharon, sensing the change in mood, straightened up.

Darya seemed to have gained the upper hand.

This was not what Sharon wanted to see.

She tried to run interference. ‘Come on, Darya. It’s unfair to exploit Kemp’s situation for our own gain. We’ve been working with them for years. The offer is way below what you promised to Solaro. I saw the proposal-‘ ‘Sharon!‘ Darya cut her off sharply. ‘Bid prices are confidential. Are you going to reveal our corporate secret in front of a third party?‘

Sharon felt heat rushing to her face, stunned by the sudden rebuke. ‘I wasn’t…It’s not…I was just trying to say we should offer Kemp a fair deal. After all, it’s—‘

‘Do you work for Paragon or Kemp Industries?‘ Darya pinned the woman with a penetrating gaze. ‘You seem awfully concerned about Kemp’s interests.‘

Sharon blanched.

She gripped Howard’s arm, a silent plea for help.

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Chapter 41 The Whore of Babylon

Darya sneered at the woman’s body language.

Sharon didn’t even try to hide the fact that she had a personal relationship with the vice president of Kemp

Industries

Howard lost his free and easy attitude.

His voice turned grave, ‘You are taking advantage of Kemp’s tempora financial trouble. The proposal is exploitative.

‘Like you said, it’s just a proposal, not the finalised deal.‘ Darya leaned back in the armchair and spread her hands. ‘I made an offer. You are free to make a counter offer. That’s how negotiation works, isn’t it?‘

The veins on Howard’s neck bulged.

Of course he could make a counteroffer, but he knew it would be shot down anyway.

No one knew better than him that Kemp Industries‘ trouble was more than just temporary.

Kemp Senior had long written off the enterprise as a lost cause and was already moving on to the hospitality

sector.

As for Hunter Kemp, he was installed purely as a figurehead.

If Kemp Industries went under, Hunter could go on living his pampered, carefree life–his old man would surely have a cushy position waiting for him at the new company.

But he, Howard Banks, would be out of a job.

He couldn’t allow that to happen.

Darya Miller was right; this deal with Paragon was a lifeline for Kemp.

But he’d be damned if he let a woman walk all over him!

Sharon squeezed his arm.

Reminded of their plan for tonight, Howard smiled. ‘Of course, we should negotiate. But first, let’s eat.‘

He gestured at the table with a full spread of dishes. ‘I hope you like squab.‘

Darya said nothing.

There was no point mentioning that her big brother owned the club.

Howard signalled to Sharon, who picked up a bottle of wine that had been opened a while ago to let it breathe.

Sharon stood and poured for all three of them. ‘Let’s have a pre–dinner drink.‘

Darya raised an eyebrow.

Vermouth, with its slightly bitter taste, worked better as a digestif instead of an aperitif, but she kept that to herself.

She waited to see what game Sharon was playing.

Howard picked up the glass.

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Chapter 41 The Whore of Babylon

Sharon stepped away from the table. ‘Excuse me, I need to use the powder room. I’ve already had two glasses

of wine.‘

She left the room before Darya could reply,

Pulling the door shut behind her, Sharon dialled a number as she walked down the carpeted hallway.

The call was answered after the first ring.

‘How long does it take for the drug to work?‘ she asked without preamble.

‘Fifteen minutes,‘ a man’s voice answered. ‘Half an hour tops. The more she drinks, the faster it acts.‘