Alpha's Regret: The Seventh Time was Forever

Chapter 129 – Let’s Have That Date You Promised Me

On the other end of the line, Voren allowed a slow smile to spread across his face as he listened to Seraphine’s question, because her reaction was exactly what he had predicted from the moment he proposed the offer.

And the truth was that Seraphine possessed a level of intelligence that made most conversations with her feel less like ordinary negotiations and more like a strategic game played between two people who understood very well that every word carried hidden weight.

"It’s simple," Voren replied smoothly, his voice calm and confident as he leaned back in his chair, clearly enjoying the challenge of speaking with someone who could keep up with him. "Tell me your evil plans concerning Ravyn."

Seraphine did not hesitate before responding, because she had already expected that Voren would try to uncover her intentions the moment he realized she was working toward something larger than a simple business project.

"The only response to that request," she said calmly, "would be if you tell me the name of the person who saved me that night, but if you want to continue presenting that offer as bait, then I will simply do my programming work from my bedroom and outsource the rest of the operational tasks, which may increase the cost slightly but honestly would not be much different from the amount I would pay in rent."

For several seconds Voren remained silent, and the quiet frustration that followed made it obvious that Seraphine had once again avoided the trap he had carefully placed for her.

"You won again," Voren finally admitted through clenched teeth, because even though he rarely acknowledged defeat during negotiations, Seraphine had once again maneuvered around his attempt to gather information without giving anything valuable in return.

Seraphine released a slow breath when she heard his reluctant admission, and although she had technically gained the advantage in that moment, the victory did not bring her the satisfaction most people might have expected.

"I should be happy," she said with quiet honesty, "but the fact that you are still my master in chess makes it difficult for me to celebrate winning a small exchange like this."

Voren allowed a faint exhale to escape him that sounded halfway between amusement and reluctant respect before he finally continued the conversation.

arrangements

already expecting that Voren’s final request would be something that benefited him

monitor how my investment is being used?" Voren asked, phrasing the request in

the moment she heard that suggestion because allowing anyone that

arrangement limited strictly to the contract, and I sincerely hope that our paths do not cross again until

line long enough to create a tension that felt almost tangible,

tone that suggested he understood pushing further

ended, Seraphine handed the remaining details of the negotiation over to Corvine and allowed him to continue coordinating with Pete while she stepped away to

waiting for her, dividing her time between assembling the remaining components of MindNest and managing her trading activities with the same quiet concentration that had carried her through every challenge she had faced

and by the following day every detail had already

need to exhaust herself dealing with the administrative aspects of the arrangement because Corvine seemed to understand exactly

to operate," Corvine told her confidently, "and I will organize the structure and make sure everything is arranged

Seraphine’s face as she reached for a blank sheet of

of the company, including department divisions and the human resources necessary to maintain efficient

amazement because the level of clarity and organization displayed in the plan was something most people would have needed several days to

smart," he said with admiration as he

the new office building with Corvine so she could see the space in person for