Chapter 1 : RIVALS

Laurene Ashford strode through the glass doors of the conference room with the kind of poise that made even the most seasoned executives take a step back. As CEO of the R&M industries, a leading sports company, she had built an empire. Her empire. And today, it was about a deal that would make it even bigger.

At twenty nine, she was already one of the most powerful women in the industry, known for her sharp mind and relentless drive. She’d sacrificed everything to reach this point. Success was the only thing that kept her going.

“Morning, everyone,” she greeted her team as they gathered around the polished conference table. Her voice was calm and authoritative, sending an immediate ripple of respect around the room. “Let’s get started.”

The merger she was overseeing would place her company in a dominant position in the global sports market. But there was one complication: the negotiation was with Sebastian king, CEO of her biggest rival, king industries.

Laurene had worked tirelessly to stay ahead of king industries, and she knew Sebastian kings reputation. He was charismatic, ruthless, and just as ambitious as she was—if not more. The two companies had been in a battle for supremacy for years, and she was determined not to let him get the upper hand now.

The door to the conference room opened with a soft whoosh, and in walked Sebastian king himself.

Dressed in a tailored suit, Sebastian exuded effortless confidence. His reputation preceded him, but Laurene wasn’t impressed. She couldn’t afford to be. He was a thorn in her side, the man she’d been trying to outpace for years. Being in the same industry, their companies had crossed paths counless times but they had never met each other personally —until now.

“Miss Ashford,” he said, flashing her a grin that seemed too cocky for the occasion. “I have to say, I’m impressed. Your team’s been keeping up, but I have to wonder… can you keep up with the competition?”

Laurene didn’t flinch. “I don’t play games, Mr king, I win them.”

Sebastian chuckled, a low, confident sound. “Ah, the ‘I’m the boss, don’t mess with me’ routine. I’ve seen it before. But let’s be honest here—you and I both know that in this business, you can’t win on your own. Sooner or later, you’re going to need help.”

Laurene tilted her head slightly, and with a grin she said, “We’ll see about that.”

He took a seat across from her, effortlessly slipping into the power dynamic as if he owned the place. Laurene was acutely aware of how his mere presence seemed to command attention, even in her own boardroom. He was the kind of man who didn’t care about rules—he made them. And that irked her more than she was willing to admit.

The meeting began, but the tension between them was palpable. As she presented her company’s strategy for the merger, she could feel Sebastian's eyes on her, analyzing every move she made. His comments were sharp, pushing her to consider angles she hadn’t fully anticipated.

“I see you’ve planned for every contingency,” Sebastian said, his voice smooth and laced with approval. “But you’ve missed one important detail. The market’s shifting. It’s not just about who has the best product or who provides the best players anymore. It’s about who controls the narrative. And if we combine our forces, we could write the narrative together.”

Laurene held her ground, never showing the flicker of doubt that his words might have planted. “I don’t play second fiddle,Mr King. I’ll win this deal, just like I’ve won every other battle.”

Sebastian leaned back in his chair, a smug smile playing at the corners of his lips. “You’re always so sure of yourself, miss Ashford. But sometimes, even the best-laid plans need a little help from outside forces.”

He was right. But admitting it? That was something she couldn’t do—not yet.

The rest of the meeting continued, but every word Sebastian spoke seemed to cut through her carefully curated façade. He didn’t just challenge her ideas—he challenged her entire approach to business. And despite herself, she couldn’t help but admire his boldness. But that didn’t mean she would let him win. Not now, not ever.

When the meeting finally wrapped up, Laurene stood from her seat, straightening her blazer.Thankyou for your precious time today Mr king,she said with a smile on her face.

Not at all miss Ashford, this deal is something that we have to do together and will benefit both our companies. Lets meet and sign the contract at tomorrow's confrence, he said as they shook hands.

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