The CEO's Rejected Wife And Secret Heir novel Chapter 114

Chapter 114: Chapter 114: Corporate Alliance

Aria’s POV

Morning light streamed through the penthouse windows as I nursed my coffee, watching Noah build an elaborate dinosaur fortress with his toys. Damien sat across from me at the breakfast table, his laptop open, jaw tight with tension.

"What’s wrong?" I asked.

He turned the screen toward me. "Sterling Industries just announced a hostile takeover bid. They’re targeting both our companies simultaneously."

I leaned forward, scanning the headlines. My stomach dropped. "That’s... strategically brilliant and completely devastating."

"Marcus." Damien’s voice was flat. "It has to be. He’s found a way to attack us financially while we’re distracted by the engagement party trap."

"Sterling Industries is legitimate though." I pulled out my phone, already calling my CFO. "They wouldn’t work with Marcus unless."

"Unless he’s using shell companies to hide his involvement." Damien closed his laptop with controlled violence. "I’ve been tracking his financials. He’s got connections we didn’t know about, offshore accounts, proxy investors."

My CFO picked up on the third ring. "Ms. Monroe, I was just about to call you."

"The Sterling bid?" I asked.

"It’s worse than the press release indicates." Her voice was grim. "They’ve approached our major shareholders directly, offering premium buyouts. We could lose controlling interest within the week."

I closed my eyes, years of building Monroe Global, and Marcus could destroy it with one corporate maneuver.

"What are our options?" I asked.

"Limited. Unless you can find a white knight investor or" She paused. "Or merge with a larger entity that would make the takeover economically unfeasible."

"I’ll call you back." I hung up, meeting Damien’s eyes. "You heard?"

"Every word." He stood, pacing to the windows. "Sterling’s hitting Blackwood Enterprises the same way, targeting our shareholders, offering inflated prices. It’s coordinated."

"How long do we have?"

"Maybe a week before the board forces me into negotiations." His hands clenched. "Marcus is trying to strip us both of our power bases before the engagement party."

"So we’ll have nothing to fight back with." I set down my coffee. "No resources, no leverage."

"Exactly." Damien turned. "Which is why I have a proposal."

"I’m listening."

"We merge." His voice was calm, but his eyes were intense. "Temporarily. A strategic alliance that makes both companies too valuable and too complicated for Sterling to acquire."

I stood slowly. "You want me to merge Monroe Global with Blackwood Enterprises?"

"As equal partners." He moved closer. "Your company brings international tech and investment portfolios. Mine brings domestic real estate and manufacturing. Together, we’d be worth more than Sterling could possibly offer."

"And after Marcus is dealt with?" My voice was careful.

"We dissolve the merger if you want." He stopped in front of me. "But Aria, think about it. Our companies complement each other perfectly. We could build something neither of us could alone."

"Or you could swallow my company whole." I crossed my arms. "Blackwood Enterprises is three times Monroe Global’s size."

"I know." He caught my hand. "But we don’t have much time. Sterling’s moving fast, and Marcus knows we’re vulnerable separately." 𝙛𝓻𝒆𝓮𝒘𝙚𝙗𝒏𝙤𝙫𝓮𝒍.𝓬𝒐𝙢

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