Jamir fell for Nelson’s trap and was at a disadvantage. This negotiation was destined to end poorly, and he knew it well. “Mr. Oconnor, let’s compromise. Sixty for you, forty for us. How about that?”
Nelson laughed and pushed the documents forward. “Your supply chain has too many weak points for me to exploit.”
One by one, he pointed them out, leaving no room for argument.
Callie took notes, mumbling to herself, thinking how ruthless Nelson was.
Nelson’s subsequent actions confirmed her thoughts.
He wielded leverage mercilessly, setting clear terms. If they wanted to negotiate, fine. “Profit sharing: eighty for me, twenty for you.”
The room fell silent.
Callie glanced at the man beside her. He looked completely at ease, as if discussing the weather.
Jamir’s mouth twitched, but there was nothing he could do against Nelson.
He studied Callie carefully and suddenly said, “Mrs. Oconnor, you remind me of someone I used to know.”
Callie’s mind went blank. She frowned at Jamir, wondering if he had lost his mind and what he was trying to do.
Nelson glanced at her. “It must be just a resemblance.”
“Who knows,” Jamir said with a faint smile. “Why not ask Mrs. Oconnor if she recognizes me?”
With numerous media present, Callie dared not admit anything in front of Nelson. She gripped his hand on the table, a gesture of submission.
Everyone frowned. Nelson looked at her, and she shook her head.
It meant she didn’t recognize him.
Jamir’s face lit up instantly.
Nelson was taken aback and then laughed in exasperation.
This negotiation was already lost.
Anthony was supposed to sit beside Nelson today. Standing aside, he saw Callie’s gesture and closed his eyes with a sigh.
Everyone except the bewildered Callie realized the problem.
Callie blinked and gave Nelson a naive, puzzled look.
Nelson’s smile faded slowly. He asked gently, “Did you take good notes?”
Callie thought there was a chance for redemption. “I did. You can continue.”
But they couldn’t continue.
Nelson thought he must have been crazy to bring Callie along. He brought her to the battlefield, and she defected at the critical moment.
Callie suddenly found Jamir’s smile sharp as he said, “Mr. Oconnor, even Mrs. Oconnor thinks your demands are too harsh.”
The implication was clear: even your own people aren’t on your side; your conditions are unreasonable.
This was a tough blow.
Nelson had never been stabbed in the back by his own people in all his years in business.
He had no cards left to play against Jamir.
Jamir let the Oconnor Group off the hook. “We can accept your terms, but in future collaborations, we expect full cooperation from the Oconnor Group.”
Failing to exploit them but being exploited instead, although they got the money, they owed a favor. In simple terms, it meant that now I’m letting you off; in the future, you must help me when needed.
The morale on the Oconnor Group’s side dropped; everyone knew this was a lost cause.
But Nelson was a man of strong will. Even after being stabbed in the back, he smiled lightly and say, “Of course.”
He never thought he would lose to Jamir.
A continuous sense of defeat and anger rose within him.
Callie couldn’t understand the shift in the situation because it seemed like Nelson still won. Her actions didn’t seem to have changed anything.
But until the end of the meeting, Nelson remained distant and cold.