Intensions

On Jane's end, she was in her hotel room, a luxurious suite on the top floor with a panoramic view of Silverwood. The room was elegantly furnished with a king-sized bed, a plush armchair by the window, and a sleek desk where her laptop and documents were neatly arranged. A soft glow from the bedside lamps bathed the room in warm light.

 Jane herself was dressed leisurely, having shed her business attire for something more comfortable. She wore a pair of sleek, black leggings and an oversized cashmere sweater in a soft, blush pink hue. Her feet were cozily tucked into plush slippers, and her hair, usually styled in a sharp bob, was now casually tied back in a loose ponytail. Her makeup was minimal, just a touch of mascara and lip balm, giving her a fresh, relaxed look.

 As she settled into the armchair by the window, she swirled the glass of white wine in her hand, contemplating the day's events. The room was quiet, the only sound the faint hum of the air conditioning. She took a deep breath, then dialed the number for Sarah and Michael, her fingers moving with practiced ease over the phone's keypad, adding them to a conference call to give them feedback on the meeting at the Johnsons. The line crackled as the call connected.

 "Hello Sarah, hello Michael," Jane greeted, her voice steady and professional.

 "Jane, finally. How did it go at the Johnsons?" Sarah asked, impatience evident in her tone.

 Jane took a deep breath before diving in. "The Johnson deal is actually a done deal," she began. "I tried to create some commotion, but it didn't work as I expected. Emily was able to handle things smoothly and managed to keep Titus in check despite his outbursts."

 Sarah sighed audibly. "I was hoping for a bit more disruption."

 "Well," Jane continued, "the Johnsons have a significant loophole. Titus seems like someone we could manipulate if we need to sabotage things down the line. He was agitated and confrontational, which might work to our advantage later. But for now, this deal is pretty solid. We might have to wait until the contract is signed before making any more moves."

 Michael's voice came through the line, calm but probing. "So the Johnsons are in. What about the other families? How do you plan to handle them?"

 Jane replied confidently, "I'll be shadowing Emily throughout the rest of her visits. I'll observe and look for weaknesses we can exploit. We can disrupt their operations by sowing seeds of doubt or creating small issues that snowball into bigger problems. The key is to be subtle."

 "Good," Sarah said, her tone approving. "We need to make sure Emily doesn't succeed too easily. We want her to struggle, to question herself. Keep her on her toes."

 Michael added, "Remember, we need to maintain the appearance of support while undermining her efforts. It's a delicate balance. How did Emily react to your presence today?"

 Jane chuckled. "She was clearly irritated, but she kept her composure. She tried to maintain harmony in front of the Johnsons. Alex, on the other hand, seems wary of me. He's not officially part of the deal, but he's been a key player in navigating the local landscape."

 "Alex?" Sarah asked, curiosity piqued. "Is he someone we need to be concerned about?"

 "He might be," Jane admitted. "He's close to Emily and seems to be trusted by the locals. We'll need to keep an eye on him."

 Sarah sighed again. "Jane, hold on. We want you to do more as you see fit. Be creative, but don't overplay your hand. We need Emily to succeed just enough to stay in the game, but not so much that she overshadows us."

 Michael's voice was thoughtful. "Okay, so let's say the Johnsons have been sorted. What about the other families? What's your plan?"

 Jane took a moment before replying. "I'll observe and interact with each family, looking for weak points. Whether it's outdated equipment, financial strains, or interpersonal conflicts, I'll find a way to exploit it. But it has to be subtle—no overt moves that could tip Emily off to our true intentions."

 "Perfect," Sarah said, satisfaction evident in her voice. "Remember, we're playing a long game here. We want her to build something we can take over when she inevitably fails."

 Michael added, "And keep an eye on Titus. His dissatisfaction could be the leverage we need."

 After the conversation, they all metaphorically toasted to their future plans. "To Silverwood," they echoed, a sinister undercurrent in their voices, before ending the call.

 As Jane hung up, a smirk played on her lips. She knew her role was crucial in the grand scheme of things.