Chapter 74: No Negotiation Policy

Emerald’s POV

The following morning, I was halfway through getting ready for class when my phone began to ring.

I looked at the screen. The number wasn’t saved on my contact list, so I nearly ignored it, but something compelled me to answer.

"Hello?"

"Good morning. Am I speaking with Miss Emerald Hugo?"

"Yes. Who is this?"

"My name is Daniel Whitmore. I am legal counsel and the legal representative for Mr. Kelvin Mercer."

I straightened slightly. "I see."

"I apologise for contacting you directly, but I believe you are aware of the matter currently being discussed between your legal representatives and Mr. Mercer."

"I am."

"Mr. Mercer is prepared to discuss an alternative to the three-per cent demand."

I already knew where this was going, so I quickly said to him, "I have already communicated my position through my lawyers."

"Yes, Miss Hugo. I understand that. However, my client would like to know whether you are willing to reconsider your demand before both parties proceed further."

I looked at the time. "I don’t have anything to reconsider."

There was a brief silence, then he inquired, "Would you be willing to hear what my client is prepared to offer?"

"No."

My answer came so quickly that I surprised even myself.

"Mr. Whitmore, if Mr. Mercer has something to propose, he can communicate it through my lawyers. I don’t see a reason for us to negotiate this directly."

"I understand."

"Good." I ended the call and placed my phone on the desk. That was all.

I wasn’t going to spend my morning going back and forth with Kelvin’s lawyer when my position was already clear.

By the time I arrived at school, I had almost forgotten about the call. Almost.

During lunch, however, the same number appeared on my screen. I answered.

"Miss Hugo, this is Daniel Whitmore again," the not-so-familiar voice greeted.

"I remember."

"I spoke with my client after our earlier conversation. Mr. Mercer is prepared to transfer one per cent of Mercer Technologies to you personally in exchange for settling the outstanding lawsuits."

I leaned back in my chair. "One per cent?"

"Yes," he confirmed.

I shook my head. "No."

He paused for a moment, then said, "I would encourage you to consider the offer carefully. It is a significant concession from my client."

"I didn’t ask Mr. Mercer for one per cent."

"I understand that, but—"

I cut him off before he could finish his statement. "My demand was three per cent."

There was silence on the line, giving me the leeway to finish. "I have no interest in negotiating against myself, Mr. Whitmore."

"Miss Hugo—"

"I’ve heard the offer. My answer is no."

I directly hung up the call. Then I stared at my phone for a moment before putting it away.

One per cent. I almost laughed.

If Kelvin was willing to give me one per cent, then he had already accepted the principle behind my demand. The only question now was how much he was willing to surrender to avoid the lawsuits.

And I wasn’t going to lower my demand simply because he had made a smaller offer.

After my afternoon class, I walked to my Jeep and drove out of campus. Then I connected my phone to the car’s Bluetooth before pulling onto the road.

There was one important person I wanted to tell, so I called Michael. He answered after a few rings.

"Emerald."

"Hi... Michael," I managed to drawl out, still not used to addressing him directly by his name.

"What’s happened?"

I smiled faintly. "Why do you assume something happened?"

"Because you called me," he answered almost immediately.

I laughed quietly. "Fair enough." Then I went on to explain everything, starting with the first call from Mr Whitmore that morning and ending with the one-per cent offer during lunch.

Michael listened without interrupting. When I finished, he simply said, "Good."

I frowned slightly. "Good?"

"Yes."

"That he offered one per cent?" I probed.

"No. That he made an offer at all," he clarified.

Immediately, I understood what he meant. "He wants me to accept less," I conveyed.

"Of course he does."

"I rejected it."

"Good. Don’t move from three per cent."

"I won’t." Not even in my wildest dreams. There was a brief silence. I kept my eyes on the road. "I will let you know once this is settled."

"All right." Then he quickly asked, "You’re driving, aren’t you?"

I glanced at the dashboard. "Yes."

"Then focus on the road. We can talk another time."

I smiled. "All right."

"Call me when you have something worth reporting."

He sounded a little bossy this time, but I didn’t mind. "I will," I replied.

The call ended, but for several seconds, I found myself thinking about the conversation.

I could have called my lawyers first. I could have waited until I got home. I could even have handled the matter entirely on my own.

Yet the moment Kelvin’s lawyer began negotiating with me, Michael was the person I wanted to tell.

I didn’t dwell on it. There were more important things to deal with.

By the time I returned to my dorm that evening, my mind had shifted back to my classes. I ate a quick dinner, showered and settled at my desk with my books.

I was halfway through reviewing one of my course materials when my phone rang again.

I glanced at the screen. I already knew it was Kelvin’s lawyer from the string of numbers. I stared at it for a moment before answering.

"Mr. Whitmore."

"Good evening, Miss Hugo."

"Good evening."

"I wanted to follow up regarding—"

I looked at the time. It was well past working hours, so I interrupted him without mincing words.

"Mr. Whitmore, before you continue, I believe you are aware that it is inappropriate to contact a client or the opposing party outside reasonable business hours unless the matter is urgent."

There was a brief pause, then came his apology. "I apologize if the timing is inconvenient."

"It is." I closed the book in front of me. "And you don’t need to call me again tomorrow."

"Miss Hugo—"

"If Mr. Mercer has reached a decision concerning my proposal, you can communicate that decision to my lawyers."

I continued before he could respond. "There is nothing else for us to negotiate. I have already stated my position."

"I understand."

"If Mr. Mercer accepts the three-per cent condition, then have your office inform my legal representatives. They can arrange the appropriate documentation, review everything and determine when the transfer can be formally executed."

There was another brief silence before he finally got it. "Understood."

"Good."

I ended the call, placed my phone back on the desk, and opened my book again.

I finally felt as though this situation was finally moving in the direction I wanted.

Kelvin could negotiate. He could offer one per cent, two per cent, or whatever number he believed might tempt me to compromise.

But I knew what I wanted.

Three per cent.

And until he was ready to agree to that, there was nothing left for me to discuss.