Watching her leave the room with her head held high, Alan felt the urge to smash everything in sight, so furious was he. Alex had blindsided him completely; he was still reeling, his head buzzing at the thought of everything he'd just lost. He couldn't believe she'd outmaneuvered him so easily — as though he were some child. She was nothing like her mother, no woman to be fooled or manipulated.
Still, he told himself this deal was for the best. Even if he had to return the old Michell company and brand, he could still drain its accounts before signing it over, keeping his losses down. The factory was still running, though nowhere near what it had once been — he'd only held onto it because the old man's brand kept bringing in money.
