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The Price of Rivalry follows Olivia Carter, a fiercely determined CEO, as she battles to prove her worth in the high-stakes world of corporate power. Handpicked to run her family’s green tech empire, Carter Wave Solutions, Olivia has spent her life preparing to defy expectations and make her mark. But her rise is challenged by Dimitri Stavros, a billionaire whose family controls a multinational conglomerate that dominates the business world.

Arrogant, ruthless, and dangerously captivating, Dimitri is used to bending the world to his will. When Olivia outmaneuvers him in a critical boardroom showdown, she shatters his carefully curated dominance, sparking a clash that transcends business.

Their rivalry becomes personal, a battle of manipulation and power where neither is willing to back down. Dimitri, furious at his defeat, devises a plan to punish Olivia in a way that forces her to confront her own vulnerabilities. But as their fiery confrontations lead to undeniable passion, the lines between love and revenge blur, threatening to destroy them both.

The Price of Rivalry

A Collision Course

The boardroom buzzed with quiet efficiency as we wrapped up discussions on our latest acquisitions. My mind, however, kept circling back to Carter Wave Solutions. I wasn't concerned, but something about it nagged at me. Partnerships, especially in renewable energy, had to be handled with a level of precision that not every company could match. Carter Wave had a reputation for excellence, but also for being difficult to sway.

As the meeting adjourned, I checked my watch. I had a dinner reservation at Mythos, one of Athens' finest restaurants, but before that, I wanted an update on the status of our proposal to Carter Wave. I motioned for Alexandros to stay behind.

"Get me a direct update on Carter Wave Solutions," I said as the rest of the team exited. "I want to know who we're dealing with. Their head of operations is our contact, but someone is making the final calls, and I want to know who."

Alexandros raised a brow but nodded. "I'll have our research team look into it."

That was all I needed. It wasn't that I expected trouble, but I preferred knowing exactly who was on the other side of the table. Some companies were eager to align with us. Others played hard to get, trying to hold onto their independence while secretly craving the resources we provided. And then there were those who, despite everything we brought to the table, stood firm in their ideals.

I had no patience for the last group. They either learned to compromise, or they got out of the way.

By the time I arrived at Mythos, I was in need of a drink. The restaurant was a favorite of mine—private, exclusive, and with a view of the Acropolis that never failed to impress. My table was already set, and my usual whiskey was waiting for me when I sat down.

As I took a sip, my phone buzzed. Alexandros.

I answered, leaning back in my chair. "Tell me you have something useful."

"You're going to find this interesting," he said, his tone amused. "The CEO of Carter Wave Solutions—the person who shot down our proposal—isn't some faceless board or retired executive."

I exhaled impatiently. "Then who?"

A pause. Then, Alexandros chuckled. "Olivia Carter."

"Carter had a daughter?" The disbelief in my voice was instant.

"Apparently, yes," Alexandros said. "And she's not just a figurehead. Mikeson Carter stepped down and left the company entirely in her hands."

I set my glass down with a soft clink against the marble table, processing this unexpected revelation. I had assumed Carter's successor would be a son—a trained businessman, someone prepared to negotiate. Instead, it was her.

I didn't know anything about Olivia Carter, but one thing was clear—she had just made herself an obstacle.

"Find out everything," I instructed, my voice calm but firm. "I want details—how she operates, who her allies are, and more importantly, what it will take to make her fold."

Chapter Six