“They will sue if you insist on bringing it to market. You know this is about profits, and nothing else. By the time the copycats will bring out their product, they could make a nice profit. But if you bring it out at the same time, it will cut into their profits.”

“I cannot tell my team to trash their work. As I said, agreeing to their terms would be akin to recognizing I was in the wrong.” I licked my lips, searching for a way to make him understand it wasn’t just about the money. “This... I know for them this is just a small branch. A profitable one, but just a blip on their portfolio of products. For me, it’s everything. I built this company.”

“I understand your viewpoint perfectly. How would you solve this? What would you like me to tell them?”

“Tell them that I don’t see any reason we can’t both bring our products on the market. Sure, it will mean lower profits for both, but that’s business. You win some, you lose some.”

Emerson went on to share a few more details, but the meeting was surprisingly short, and I was frustrated that nothing at all had been resolved. I’d been hoping to put the issue behind me, but I’d clearly been too optimistic.

This wasn’t my first rodeo with a bigger player on the market trying to intimidate me. Since I’d listed the first line in Sephora, the sharks had started showing their teeth. Once I was big enough to be noticed, they tried to push me out. I got it, store placement was limited already, and the perfume and cosmetics industry was cutthroat, with thousands of fragrances being released every year from big houses alone. So far, none of those intimidation attempts had resulted in actual lawsuits. I was betting on this going the same way.

The rest of the morning was busy as hell. I had an open-door policy, which meant anyone could stop by anytime with a question or a problem. My stomach began rumbling around ten o’clock, but I did pull through until twelve when I practically ran toward Mrs. Seguin.

The place was already half full when I arrived, but I found a table and was lazily perusing the menu, even though I already knew what I wanted to order. I was just about to flag down a waiter when I saw a certain tall and spectacularly handsome someone step inside the restaurant. Carter.

He saw me immediately and began to walk my way, smiling. I smiled back. I had a feeling my day was just about to become better.

Chapter Four

Chapter Four

Val

“Valentina, we meet again.”

“Call me Val. Everyone does.”

“Are you waiting for someone?”

I shook my head.

“Can I buy you lunch, then?”

I laughed. “We can eat together, but you don’t have to buy my lunch.”