CEO's Runaway Mate and Her Cubs

Samantha had been invited by a client to discuss the contract over dinner. It was one of those clients she knew it was better to reject.

Still, Nate said to be polite and not let anything get in their way for a few weeks. They had to be extra-perfect until Mayford was done for.

As such, she had no choice but to accept and find a way to reject the advances - just like usual, but without sounding bitch-y. Everyone knew she was cold, either way, so there was nothing wrong in continuing being such.

«You see... Our last contract was good, Miss Murphy, but I'd like to increase the order this time. We've sold everything, every tiny piece of fabric, before we could arrange another delivery, so our customers are eagerly waiting for the new order. This time, the requests are many. We can risk buying more.»

«I'm glad to hear that,» Samantha said.

Was there a need to have dinner to say that? She wasn't going to ask for different prices, either way. Nate forbade taking advantage of business opportunities.

And it was not like they needed more money to function as a company.

«I was just worried... What if your conditions change?»

«Won't change,» she replied. «The prices will stay the same, the quantity will be adjusted. I can't guarantee the same delivery time, but we can arrange it. Your usual quantity can be delivered as usual, while the surplus will have to wait. Right now, we have sold everything in our warehouses, so your company will have to have patience with the production times...

Thankfully, we've improved our tech, so it won't be as long as you're fearing.»

«Oh, that's good! But... Is there any way to get a discount? After all, we're buying more than usual. Do you have other clients ordering so much? You should take care of our relationship, Miss Murphy.»

Samantha smiled, polite yet cold.

«As I just said, our production is overwhelmed. I can do you a favour, since you're one of our old clients, and pass the order quickly so that the next lot will be yours... But I can't apply any discount right now. After we enlarge our facilities and become capable of producing more, then we can discuss discounts. Right now, our offer is lower than the market demand.

It would be a business suicide if we offered discounts.»

«I see,» he murmured. «Well, then... For this time, since your products are so requested by middle-tier customers, I'll pay the full price. But we will discuss this order again next time, won't we? I might change my mind and ask other companies to produce fabri

«Sure,» Samantha chuckled, trying to smile warmly and failing at it.

She did feel lighter the last few weeks. As much as smiling at her colleagues was easier. Yet, during business meetings, she still failed to. People would still treat her like an Ice Queen, which made it harder for her to get out of that character and create a new one.

Lara could manage to look warm and professional. Why was it so difficult to imitate her?

Seeing that uncertain smile, the client replied and offered his glass for a toast. Was there any choice but to accept?

Samantha lifted her glass and then sipped. Humans were so fixed on alcohol, especially wine, that it was funny. Was there any need to toast every single time? It was just a contract, for goodness!

There were some times when she had been offered repeated toast with odd excuses, and then the other party would usually offer to drive her home.

«Do you need a ride home?» the client inquired, in fact.

He thought Samantha would feel dizzy after exactly two sips of wine, didn't he? Oh, bad for him.

«I came here with my car. I will go back with it,» she replied, arching her brow at the disappointed face of the man.

The contract was set. What need was there to continue being polite? She had never gone back on her word once given, and she would have processed the contract first thing in the morning. He could rest assured; there was no need to overdo it.

«Oh, but after you drink, it isn't so wise to drive...»

«I've never said I would drive,» she pointed out.

«The night is young; what do you think if we have a drink, then?»

«I have to be in the office early tomorrow,» she rebuked. «First of all, to write the new contract. I'll send it to you as soon as it's ready. Now, I shall go. Have a pleasant evening.»

As such, she got up and left the restaurant without even thinking about paying for the dinner. It was a business expense, after all, but she wasn't the one proposing dinner as a place for the meeting.

Moreover, it was a vegetarian restaurant. She had eaten out of politeness, but her stomach was still empty and rumbling. She had to find a place where they made good meat before going home to sleep...

While stepping out from the restaurant, her senses tensed up all at the same time. She turned her eyes around, looking for trouble, but she couldn't sense any threatening present around there.

Oh, maybe, some humans were trying to rob her! That would explain the tension and the total absence of anyone with some strength nearby.

She shook her head, wondering why those people couldn't find a proper job. They would have been taught a lesson, though. What if she was a human woman, defenceless and easy to attack?

Someone ought to teach them a lesson for all.

She entered a dark alley, attracting her followers into a trap with no exit. She could imagine the shadows rubbing their hands, not believing in their luck: their prey was willingly walking into a deserted place! It was a sign from heaven, wasn't it?

What idiot wouldn't take the chance to attack?

Samantha sighed, still shaking her head. Humans knew how to be annoying...