10. A Proposal

Alex listened intently as Rian outlined his proposal, her eyes narrowing slightly as she considered his words.

"I'm not sure I understand what you're proposing, Mr. Rian," she said finally, her voice cool.

Rian smiled, his eyes glinting with amusement. "I'm proposing a merger between our two companies, Miss Alex. A partnership that would benefit both of us."

Alex raised an eyebrow, her expression skeptical. "I'm not sure that's a good idea, Mr. Rian. Our companies are very different."

Rian nodded, his expression serious. "I understand your concerns, Miss Alex. But I believe that our differences could be a strength, not a weakness. We could learn from each other, and our combined resources would make us a formidable force in the industry."

Alex considered his words, weighing the pros and cons of a potential partnership. She had to admit that Rian's proposal was intriguing, and the potential benefits were significant.

But she was also wary of Rian's intentions. What did he really want from her, and from Widget Labels?

"I'll need some time to think about it, Mr. Rian," she said finally, her voice detached.

Rian nodded, his expression understanding. "Of course, Miss Alex. Take all the time you need. But I hope you'll consider my proposal seriously. I believe it could be a game-changer for both of us."

As Alex nodded and turned to leave, Rian called out to her.

"Miss Alex?"

She turned back to him, her expression questioning.

"I'll be sending over a formal proposal and some financial projections. I hope you'll take a look at them."

Alex nodded, her expression neutral. "I'll take a look, Mr. Rian."

As she walked away, Alex couldn't shake the feeling that she was being pulled into a game she didn't fully understand. And she wasn't sure if she was ready to play.