Chapter 22 - THE WALL BETWEEN THEM
Working together was harder than either expected.
Victor was accustomed to giving orders.
Lena was accustomed to questioning them.
One afternoon, she rejected a major shipping contract.
Victor walked into her office.
“Why?”
“Because the ownership structure isn't transparent.”
“It's legal.”
“That isn't enough.”
Victor stared at her.
“You're blocking a contract worth forty million dollars.”
“Yes.”
“Because you don't trust them?”
“Because I don't trust paperwork I can't verify.”
Victor looked at her.
Then smiled.
“You're becoming difficult.”
Lena smiled back.
“You're becoming honest.”
He laughed.
The contract was delayed.
Three weeks later, investigators discovered irregularities in the partner company.
Victor returned to Lena's office.
“You were right.”
She leaned back.
“I know.”
He laughed.
“You enjoy that.”
“A little.”
For the first time, their relationship was no longer built around the night she saved his life.
It was built around mutual respect.
May you like
That mattered more.
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