My Coldhearted Husband'S Regret novel Chapter 60

60 An Invitation Among Adversaries

The next day, Elara was reviewing a code sequence when Julian burst into her office. His expression was unusually tense.

“We’ve received an invitation,” he announced, waving his phone.

Elara looked up from her screen. “For what exactly?”

“Lunch with the Paxon brothers and Newman.”

Elara raised her eyebrows. The Paxon brothers were pioneering brain–computer interface technology. Their work would complement YodaVision’s developments perfectly.

“That’s excellent news,” she said, already mentally rearranging her schedule.

Julian grimaced. “There’s more. Damien will be there.”

Elara’s fingers froze over her keyboard. She didn’t need to ask which Damien. There was only one whose mere mention could make her pulse stutter.

“With Vivienne, I assume?” she asked, keeping her voice neutral.

Julian nodded. “Apparently the Paxons are considering multiple investment options.

.horne Industries is their primary interest, but Newman mentioned our work to

them.”

Elara turned back to her screen, trying to process this information. A meeting with her soon–to–be ex–husband and her half–sister. In public. While discussing business.

“We should decline,” Julian said. “I can meet with the Paxons separately.”

Elara stared at the lines of code on her screen, not really seeing them. The old Elara away, letting Damien

would have avoided the confrontation. She would have them. The old Elara

dominate yet another professional space.

“No,” she said firmly. “We’re going”

Julian looked surprised. “Are you sure? It will be awkward.”

“It’s a business lunch with potential p artners, Elara replied, straightening her

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60 An Invitation Among Adversaries

shoulders. “My personal situation with Damien is irrelevant.”

“And Vivienne?”

Elara met his gaze. “We’ll be professional. We can behave like strangers.”

Julian studied her face, clearly concerned. “If you’re certain.”

“I am,” she said, her voice steady despite the quickening of her heartbeat. “What time is lunch?”

The restaurant was one of those exclusive establishments where tables were spaced far enough apart to ensure privacy for business discussions. Elara smoothed down her navy dress as she and Julian approached the entrance.

“You look great, Julian assured her. “Confident. Professional.”

Elara nodded, grateful for his support. They paused at the entrance, and through the glass doors, she could see them already inside.

Damien stood tall in an impeccably tailored suit, his dark hair perfectly styled. His posture exuded power and control. Beside him, Vivienne shone in a crimson dress that accentuated her curves, her hand casually resting on Damien’s arm as she laughed at something someone said.

Elara took a deep breath. “Let’s do this.”

As they entered, Elara kept her expression neutral, though she couldn’t help noticing how Vivienne’s smile faded when their eyes met. The other woman quickly whispered something to Alistair Dubois, who was also present, before turning away.

Damien looked up, his expression unchanging as he registered Elara’s presence. His eyes moved over her briefly before shifting to Julian.

Newman spotted them and waved them over enthusiastically. “Croft! Vance! Come meet the Paxons!”

Two men who must be the Paxon brothers turned to look at them with interest. Lennox stood nearby, her calculating gaze taking in Elara’s composure.

Alistair’s expression darkened slightly as they approached. He leaned toward Lennox,

90 An Invitation Among Adversaries

whispering, “I didn’t realize she would be joining”

Lennox’s lips pressed together in disapproval. “Newman must have invited them directly.”

Julian stepped forward confidently, extending his hand to the older Paxon brother. “Julian Croft, CEO of YodaVision. This is my business partner and Chief Technology Officer, Elara Vance.”

“Erik Paxon, the man replied, shaking Julian’s hand firmly before turning to Elara. “Ms. Vance, I’ve read your paper on emotional pattern recognition in AL. Brilliant work.”

“Thank you,” Elara replied, feeling a small burst of pride.

The younger Paxon brother, Marcus, joined in. “We’re excited to discuss potential synergies between our companies”

Newman gestured toward the private dining room. “Shall we head in? I’ve arranged a

wonderful menu.

As the group began moving toward the dining area, Damien finally acknowledged their presence with a curt nod. ‘Croft.”

“Thorne,” Julian replied equally tersely

Their eyes held for a moment before Damien turned away, guiding Vivienne with a hand on the small of her back

Elara felt a pang watching the familiar gesture but quickly suppressed it. This was

business, nothing more.

In the private dining room, Damien pulled out a chair for Vivienne before taking his seat beside her. Their movements were practiced, comfortable–a couple accustomed to each other’s presence.

Julian deliberately sat next to Elara, creating a buffer between her and the others. As everyone settled, waiters appeared with menus and water.

“The steak here is exceptional” Damien commented to Erik Paxon. “I recommend it

rare.”

Vivienne leaned against him slightly. “Damien always knows the best choices at every

restaurant.”“

60 An invitation Among Adversaries

Elara studied her menu intently, ignoring the familiar way Vivienne said Damien’s

name

“What looks good to you? Julian asked quietly.

“The salmon, I think,” Elara replied, grateful for the distraction.

Alistair and Lennox exchanged glances across the table, seemingly relieved by Elara’s composed demeanor.

As the waiter took their orders, the conversation turned to business. Erik Paxon described their latest breakthrough in neural interfaces, while Marcus outlined their

vision for the future.

“That’s where I see potential collaboration with both your companies,” Erik explained. “Thorne Industries has the manufacturing capabilities, while YodaVision’s emotional intelligence algorithms could revolutionize our user experience.

Damien nodded. “We’ve been following your work closely. Thorne Industries is prepared to offer significant resources to accelerate your development timeline.”

*Resources are important, Julian agreed, “but so is innovation. At YodaVision, we prioritize creative solutions over brute force approaches.”

The subtle dig wasn’t lost on Damien, whose jo tightened almost imperceptibly.

Vivienne leaned forward. “Creativity is valuable, certainly, but scale matters too. Thorne Industries call implement solutions globally.”

“Scale without refinement leads to propagating flaws,” Elara countered, speaking for the first time. All eyes turned to her. “What YodaVision offers is precision and nuance.”

Erik Paxon looked intrigued. “Could you elaborate, Ms. Vance?”

Elara met his gaze confidently. “Our adaptive algorithms can recognize ninety–seven distinct emotional states. That level of emotional intelligence would transform how users interact with your neural interfaces.

“Impressive,” Marcus murmured.

Damien’s expression remained unchanged, but Elara noticed his knuckles whiten slightly around his water glass.

60 An Invitation Among Adversaries

“Thorne Industries has its own emotional recognition technology in development, Vivienne Interjected quickly. “We’ve been making significant progress.”

“Under whose leadership?” Julian asked innocently. “I wasn’t aware Thorne had expertise in that area.”

The tension at the table thickened.

“We’ve assembled a talented team, Damien replied smoothly. “And we’re always looking to expand our capabilities through strategic partnerships.”

The first course arrived, momentarily distracting everyone. As they began eating. Newman steered the conversation toward safer topics, discussing industry trends and market projections.

Elara ate methodically, acutely aware of Damien’s presence across the table. She kept. her focus on the Paxon brothers, contributing to the conversation when appropriate but otherwise maintaining professional distance.

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