His Dangerous Love On Ice (Olivia and Zane) novel Chapter 71

OLIVE’s POV

“Stability,” Zane said, leaning forward slightly. “is not the same astrength. A stable company crumbles the moment external pressure is applied. A strong company adapts Evolves Uses challenges as opportunities for growth”

He pulled up another screen-financial projections, market analysis, data I recognized from business school.

“Hopkins has been stable for fifteen years, Zane continued “Your stock prices have remained relatively consistent. Your investor base hasn’t changed. You occupy the same market position you did a decade ago. That’s not success. That’s stagnation

I watched Grayson’s expression darken

“My father’s company,” Zane said, and I noticed he didn’t say our company, “the Mercer Corporation, has tripled its market value in the past five years. We’ve expanded into six new industries. We’ve weathered three major scandals and came out stronger each time Do you know why?”

No one answered

“Because we don’t run from pressure, Zane said. “We leverage it. Every scandal, every controversy, every piece of negative press becomes an opportunity to control the narrative, to show the world that we’re untouchable.”

His eyes flicked to mine for just a second before returning to Grayson.

“So when you say my presence brings risks, what you really me is that my presence exposes the fundamental weakness in Hopkins’ business model-the fact that you’ve built your entire company on avoiding conflict rather than learning how to win it.

Holy shit.

I’d never seen someone dismantle Grayson like that. Never seen anyone speak to him with such casual disrespect and get away with it

But Zane wasn’t done.

“If Hopkins isn’t prepared to handle the kind of attention that comes with playing in the major leagues,” he said, his voice cold now, “then perhaps this partnership isn’t worth pursuing. Perhaps the Mercer Corporation would be better served investing our resources elsewhere”

The implication was clear-he was threatening to walk away. To take his money, his influence, his connections and leave Hopkins exactly where it had been before stable, yes, but ultimately irrelevant.

Grayson’s face had gone red. His hands were clenched into fists on the table

And then, before I could stop myself, I spoke.

“With all due respect, Mr. Mercer, I said, my voice cutting through the tension, “I think you’re oversimplifying the situation”

Every eye in the room turned to me.

Including Zane’s

His expression didn’t change, but I saw something flicker in his eyes-surprise, maybe Or amusement. Hard to tell.

“Am I?” he asked, his tone neutral

“Yes,” I said, forcing myself to maintain eye contact even though very instinct was screaming at me to look away. “You’re right that Hopkins needs to evolve. That our business model has been too conservative for too long. But you’re wrong if you think the solution is to simply adopt your company’s approach!

I could feel Grayson staring at me, probably wondering if I’d lost my mind.

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