Chapter 11: Uncomfortable Advice

File in hand, Lily whisked into the conference room where Barbara was working. She tried to keep a smirk off her face, but her good mood was bursting to get out.

"That was fast," Barbara said, looking up from her paperwork. "I take it he wasn't willing to negotiate?"

"I laid out our position carefully to him, and he made an offer. He says it's firm."

"I'm not surprised. How bad is it?"

"I think you'll be pleased," Lily said. "Considering." She handed Barbara a hand-written piece of paper with the number on it.

Barbara studied it, wide-eyed. "Was this your proposal?" she asked, keeping her expression blank.

"We came to a mutual agreement," Lily said.

"You must be extremely persuasive," Barbara said.

"I think Mr. Argento saw the wisdom in making sure SanguinX sufficiently compensated the young girl," Lily said. "After all, she's suffered a significant loss."