Chapter 5: The Deal Takes a Turn

"I want you."

Petra's voice stormed his thoughts.

Oscar sat in his chair in his office, turning sideways, holding a file while his thoughts drifted away.

Files were stacked neatly on his desk, waiting for his attention, but his eyes remained fixed on the one resting loosely in his hands.

He wasn't reading it becausen his mind had wandered somewhere else entirely.

That night with her at the hotel filled his thoughts.

He could still remember the sadness hidden behind her eyes.

The anger.

The heartbreak.

Even the next morning, when she insisted there would never be an "us," her pain had been louder than her words.

She had looked like someone who had spent years giving everything to the wrong person.

Oscar slowly leaned back in his chair.

He chuckled before closing the file.

"Great timing for a divorce, huh?" He muttered.

He reached into his pocket and removed his phone.

The dark screen reflected his face perfectly.

Without realizing what he was doing, he raised it slightly and started brushing his hair while staring at his reflection, smiling.

A knock sounded on the office door.

"Sir, everything's ready for the Briggs Corporation contract signing." Maxwell's voice cut through the room instantly before Oscar could put the phone away.

Oscar startled, and instinctively stopped what he was doing, took the file again, staring at the cover.

Maxwell stood by the doorway, pretending not to notice what his boss had been caught doing.

He had never seen Oscar smile to himself over anyone.

Certainly not while fixing his hair.

"Shall we head out?" Maxwell added.

Oscar looked at him, sighed.

Business came first.

Everything else would have to wait.

"Let's do it." He said, standing and walking out while Maxwell followed behind.

*****************

Petra sat facing a man in suit, in his early fifties.

The conference room was far smaller than the luxurious meeting rooms she'd grown accustomed to at Brooks Construction, yet it carried an atmosphere of quiet confidence.

Across the table sat Richard Lawson, founder of Lawson Infrastructure, one of Brooks Construction's oldest competitors.

Some of the company’s executives occupied seats around them, patiently waiting for Petra to finish presenting her proposal.

Detailed reports, market analyses, and financial projections lay spread across the polished table.

Richard carefully flipped through each page.

When he finally looked up, Petra remained calm. Her confidence hadn't disappeared with her marriage.

Nor had it disappeared after losing her job.

If anything, she looked even more determined.

She folded her hands neatly before speaking.

"If I can get that million dollar deal from my ex-husband, I can help you snatch it back." Petra said with a warm smile.

Richard leaned back slightly.

He had heard plenty about Petra Hemsworth.

The woman responsible for Brooks Construction's explosive growth.

The woman who secured impossible clients.

If anyone understood Brian Brooks' business better than Brian himself, it was Petra.

The older man slowly released a thoughtful sigh.

At this point, risk was far from sight. All he could see was opportunity.

"I'll leave it to you, Ms. Hemsworth." He said, stretching a hand for a handshake.

Petra smiled warmly.

She rose from her chair and accepted the handshake confidently.

"Thank you." Petra said with a smile, taking his hand. "Let's get moving."

The meeting came to an end.

Brian believed throwing her out had destroyed her career.

He had no idea he had just handed his biggest competitor their greatest advantage.

Petra smiled victoriously, unknown to Brian what was coming for him.

**************

"Petra closed that deal with Briggs Corporation, only because we backed her." Brian said proudly, holding a cup of coffee.

At the Brooks Construction Company, Brian's office looked every bit as powerful and prestigious as the company itself.

The glass walls, imported furniture, expensive décor, and countless awards displayed on the shelves reflected years of success and wealth, making Brooks Construction appear untouchable to anyone who walked through its doors.

Today was supposed to be another milestone for the company.

With the five-million-dollar Briggs Corporation deal about to be finalized, Brian and Emma believed everything was going exactly as planned, completely unaware that the day would soon take a turn neither of them saw coming.

"Exactly." Emma said, holding a file to her chest, and touching his ties with that charming smile. "She couldn't have done it without us."

Brian smirked proudly.

He enjoyed hearing those words.

Whether they were true or not didn't matter anymore.

Petra was gone.

Everything she had accomplished now belonged to him.

"Now that I'm handing over the project to you, make sure it goes smoothly." Brian said.

Emma smiled sweetly.

She stepped closer until only inches separated them.

"Don't worry darling," Emma said charmingly, rubbing his beard seductively. "I'll never let you down."

Brian smiled and grabbed her waist, pulling her closer to himself.

Immediately, the door opened and a man entered, walking in, his hands tugged inside his pocket.

Emma and Brian startled briefly and shifted from each other.

Oscar stood quietly near the entrance.

His expression remained calm, professional, s though he hadn't witnessed anything.

Brian immediately recovered.

"Welcome." Brian said warmly to Oscar. "You must be the procurement manager from Briggs Corporation."

He stretched his hand to Oscar for a handshake, giving a warm smile.

Oscar turned from Brian to Emma beside him, then smiled before turning back to Brian.

"That's right." Oscar said, taking Brian's hand and shook it.

His eyes briefly scanned the office again as if searching for someone in particular.

"Where's Petra?" he asked, turning around.

Brian's smile barely changed.

"We're finalizing the five million dollar contract today." Brian said instead, giving a warm professional smile.

Emma stepped forward immediately.

"Follow me." She cut in warmly, showing Oscar the way to the conference room. "The meeting room is right this way."

She walked pass him and smiled. Brian followed.

Leaving Oscar standing alone for a brief moment.

Oscar released a breath.

Something felt...

Off.

Petra had negotiated every part of this agreement herself. It made no sense for her to suddenly disappear before the signing.

He slowly turned to look around the office one more time.

Then he turned and followed them.

*******************

Oscar sat opposite Brian in the conference room, his hand holding his chin as if thinking.

He seemed uneasy

The large conference table separated both sides neatly.

Brian sat confidently at one end. Emma occupied the seat beside him, wearing a bright smile that never seemed to fade.

Everything had already been arranged.

Emma stood and picked up a tray before walking toward Oscar.

"I'm sure you have read through everything." Emma said warmly as she walked in with warm cup of coffee, dropping it right before Oscar.

Oscar barely glanced at it.

His attention remained elsewhere.

Emma reached for the contract lying before him. Then she opened it to the signature page.

"If there are no major concerns," she added, giving him a smile as she held up the pen to him. "we can finalize and sign for our partnership."

Emma smiled, turning to Brian who also smiled. Both couldn't wait to seal this deal worth millions of dollars.

Oscar remained silent.

His fingers rested beneath his chin. His expression slowly hardened.

He wasn't looking at the contract anymore. His eyes were directly fixed on Brian.

After some seconds, Oscar released a breath and shook his head, turning from Emma to Brian opposite him.

"I remember discussing this deal with somebody else." Oscar said, his face remained firm on Brian. "Where's she?"