Chapter 55

The fundamental agreement between Kingsley Industries, Sterling Enterprises, and Langley Corporation had finally been reached.

After triple-checking the contract terms, only minor details remained to be finalized.

As primary investors providing both capital and personnel, Kingsley Industries and Sterling Enterprises naturally demanded thorough oversight.

Even the slightest oversight could cost millions in lost revenue - no one wanted their investments mismanaged.

Evelyn Carter flipped through the project timeline, her brow furrowing. "Why haven't any Kingsley Industries personnel been included in the knowledge exchange program?"

Standard practice dictated all three corporations share strategic resources. Yet the document explicitly listed only Sterling Enterprises and Langley Corporation as participants.

"Langley Corporation and Sterling Enterprises have been collaborating on this initiative from inception," came the smooth reply. "Introducing Kingsley Industries staff now would disrupt workflow."

"We'll brief your team once we achieve tangible results."

The speaker was Cassandra Blake - a forty-something director from Langley Corporation whose frozen Botox smile never reached her eyes. "Is that so?" Evelyn's lips curved in a deceptively mild smile as she closed the proposal folder.

"Then perhaps Ms. Blake could explain why Kingsley Industries still can't access the nanorobot core technology despite our signed agreement?"

Cassandra sipped her water, clearly prepared for this challenge. "These matters require Mr. Langley's personal authorization. We can't risk security breaches through premature disclosures."

Her sideways glance at Nathan Sterling confirmed his silent complicity. Their very public divorce had clearly eroded any professional courtesy.

Evelyn's smile turned glacial. "So until Mr. Langley returns from overseas, Kingsley Industries remains locked out of the technology we're funding?"

"Are you suggesting we should just write blank checks while you make all the decisions?"

"Ms. Carter, you're overreacting." Cassandra appealed to the other executives. "We're simply prioritizing security. Wouldn't you agree?"

The silent conference room spoke volumes.

Nathan observed quietly from the sidelines as Evelyn leaned forward. "Then we'll terminate the contract."

Cassandra's facade cracked. If Kingsley Industries withdrew because of her power play, Victor Langley would have her head.

"That's impossible! All parties have signed binding agreements. Withdrawal constitutes breach of contract."

Evelyn shrugged. "We can afford the penalty."

Cassandra's glass hit the table with a clatter. "The damages would be astronomical!"

"Kingsley Industries would rather burn that money than fund our own exclusion." Evelyn's eyes glinted dangerously. "Especially since blocking your future medical distribution channels would recoup our losses tenfold."

Cassandra's forehead gleamed with sweat. Langley Corporation needed Kingsley' capital, but more critically, their global healthcare network.

Contract termination could derail the entire nanotech initiative - including Trevor Maddox's carefully orchestrated investment scheme.

She suddenly regretted letting Trevor manipulate her into strong-arming Evelyn. This profit grab had backfired spectacularly.

"Let's not be hasty, Ms. Carter. Everything's negotiable. We'll implement the knowledge transfer immediately."

"If everything's negotiable..." Evelyn's gaze swept across the suddenly attentive executives. "Then let's renegotiate everything."