Chapter 65: The Queen
Emma Frost had found him
Felix didn't think. He couldn't afford to. All focus was on him.
Emma Frost stepped around to face him, her icy blue eyes locking onto his. She was stunning, with long platinum blonde hair cascading down her shoulders and a figure that exuded both elegance and raw sensuality. Her white outfit clung to her curves, accentuating her body in a way that made it impossible to look away.
He tried to empty his mind, fearing she could read his thoughts. He focused on nothing, willing his mind to be a blank slate, even though he wasn't sure if it would work.
"Hello there," Emma said, her voice smooth and controlled. "You've been a difficult man to find."
"Am I?" Felix asked, feigning ignorance.
"Name, please?"
She should already know his name. Why was she asking?
"Felix Faeth."
"Felix? Hm, never heard of you. Are you the head of some department?"
"No, just a normal employee."
"Just an employee." Emma looked him and down. A smirk playing on her full lips as she gazed at him with predatory interest. "You are definitely far from the norm, dear."
Did she know? It sounded like she knew. He didn't think about it though. His eyes flickered to her cleavage, then to her face. She carried herself like an icy queen.
"It's a pleasure to meet you, Felix. I am, well…I need no introduction." Emma brushed past him, a hand on his shoulders, and whispered, "Let's talk, hm?"
So he followed her to the elevator. What choice did he have? His gaze drifted down to her rear before snapping back up when the elevator opened and Emma was facing him with crossed arms. She didn't notice.
'I think.'
Okay, bad thoughts go away—
No, wait, was being horny…actually good in this case!? Yeah! Yeah, it was!
'Her cup size is 36D! Her ass is super tight! Definitely not thicc but a nine out of a ten. And her eyes! Good god!'
That was his strategy to defend against her mind-reading. Frankly, he was a little proud of himself, even though Emma didn't seem to react to it.
"I'm going to see the executives, but I want you to come with me."
Felix blinked, caught off guard by her forwardness. "Why me?"
Emma winked. "Call it intuition. Or perhaps I just like the look of you."
Felix…felt like he didn't have much of a choice. "Alright."
Still ascending, Felix stole a few glances at her, marveling at her. She seemed perfectly at ease, as if she were the one in control of everything around her.
'She is a CEO of a billion dollar company. Confidence is key.'
When they reached the executive floor, Emma strode out of the elevator with Felix in tow. They walked into the large, well-furnished conference room where the executives were already gathered.
'Ah…'
At the head of the table sat Harry Osborn, his sharp gaze immediately locking onto Felix and Emma as they entered. Because of Emma, Felix had momentarily deactivated his advanced glasses, so no scanning here.
"Emma Frost. You're a little late."
Emma smiled, all charm and poise. "Harry, darling. I had some important business to discuss. And I brought a colleague."
Harry's eyes flicked to Felix. "And you are?" he asked, clearly assuming Felix was part of Emma's company.
'He doesn't remember me.'
No, duh. He was just one employee out of many. Harry, meanwhile, was a fucking billionaire with thousands of people under him. Felix was no one special.
Felix opened his mouth to reply, but Emma cut in smoothly, her laugh light and musical. "Don't worry, he's with me."
Ah.
Oh.
'Wait, what?'
Now that she said that, she effectively cemented Felix's role in the meeting. The executives, who didn't recognize Felix either, simply accepted Emma's explanation and moved on. Felix wasn't sure whether to be relieved that the lie had slipped by unnoticed. He took a seat beside Emma and fidget.
As for Emma, she flashed him a smile. Felix was no mind-reader but he could tell she was enjoying this.
…why though? Why him?
The meeting began, and Harry Osborn wasted no time in getting to the point. "We're here to discuss the shipment of shock gloves your company is providing," he said, his tone businesslike.
Emma placed an elbow on the table and culled her cheek. "State-of-the-art and rigorously tested for maximum efficiency, so what else is left? Why bring me here? We've already confirmed inventory and storage issues."
Harry leaned forward, his eyes narrowing slightly. "Our main concern, however, is the patent. Oscorp is very interested in acquiring the patent for these gloves. Having only a stock won't suffice for our long-term goals, especially in deepening our relationship with the U.S. Army—"
"Again? You're asking me for the patent again?"
Emma's smile didn't falter. She didn't raise her voice. Her point spoke for itself. Felix could sense the tension in the room.
"Yes, again," Harry said. "If you don't mind."
"The patent is a significant asset," she said smoothly. "It wasn't part of our initial agreement, Harry."
"Without the patent, our investment is limited. We need to secure our position and ensure that these gloves are exclusive to Oscorp for military contracts."
"And you're telling me this…why?"
"For transparency."
"Transparency?" Emma slapped the table and laughed. "You really are nothing like your father."
Harry's expression hardened.
'She got him there,' Felix thought, pretending that he was eating popcorn in his head. Sometimes, it paid to be invisible. Figuratively speaking.
"Look, this is a business decision we—"
The executive who spoke up for Harry was deftly cut off.
"The problem, Harry and friends," Emma emphasized the \friends' part, "is that Oscorp typically buys any and all companies that have potential rather than pay for premium technology. You never deal with competitors like Frost Inc. So why today? Why me? Why this product specifically? Are you growing desperate, Mr. Harry Osborn? Do you have a plan of some kind?"
'Good point. Norman would never get caught dead negotiating with Emma Frost. Meaning, this is something Harry and the executives are doing behind his back.'
One of the executives, a middle-aged man with thinning hair, spoke up. "Perhaps a partial buyout could be considered? Oscorp has the resources to acquire your Research and Development department, Ms. Frost. We secure not just the patent but your expertise and future innovations and you can keep a large stake in the buyout."
Emma laughed, a sound that was both musical and dismissive. "A buyout? Seriously? Other than the fact that I'm familiar with Oscorp's bullying tactics, a buyout would only dilute our capabilities and stifle our creativity. And let's be honest, do you really think Oscorp can afford to buy out a company when your stocks are at an all-time low? How can a military company get infiltrated by a bunch of mercenaries?"
Yep, yep, yep. Very true. After the attack, the Oscorp stock took a nosedive. 'It's probably why Liv is pressuring us toward human testing. Everyone is worried, not just for their safety but their money too.'
The executive opened his mouth to respond, but Emma cut him off, her voice steely. "Oscorp's attempt to buy us out is nothing more than an admission of its inability to compete on a fair playing field. My company isn't for sale. Not now, not ever."
Harry's face was set in a grim line. "So, what are you proposing?"
Emma's smile returned, but it was more predatory than friendly. "We maintain our original agreement. Oscorp can purchase the shock gloves in bulk, but the patent remains with us. We can discuss exclusive rights and future collaborations, but the patent is non-negotiable."
Harry glanced around the table, seeing the agreement in the eyes of his fellow executives. He knew he was cornered. "Fine," he said finally. "We'll proceed with the purchase of the shock gloves."
Navigating and brute-forcing a deal while at the headquarters of a rival company was pretty insane. Felix still wasn't sure whether to admire her or fear her.
Click, click, click. Getting up and leaving, those heels of hers were deafening. Felix followed out of obligation. No one could stop either of them. Emma Frost had won this.
They walked to the elevator in silence, the tension palpable. She had done her job, so why was he still here?
The elevator doors closed and they began their descent. Emma glanced at him, her expression inscrutable. "You should skip work for today," she said.
"That's not really possible—"
"I insist." She was close all of a sudden, a finger placed on his lips. Her smile was too confident for his liking. "I want to wash the nasty clog that I got from those silly men." She came closer. "Don't you?"
Felix kept his voice steady. Her face was pleasant. Her tone and arrogance was intoxicating. He wanted to grab her slutty waist and rail her right then and there. He held back. He had to. These weren't his thoughts. He was only thinking like this because he had to. The mind control.
Yeah, the mind control. That was why he wanted to fuck her senseless.
"Alright."
The elevator stopped and they stepped out into the lobby. Felix cast a quick, apologetic thought to his teammates. 'But do I have a choice?' He didn't. Not when she was so damn vague and they were at a place like Oscorp Tower. Jessica was watching the elevator cameras and everything regarding the front area. Felix saw the redhead secretary who was puzzled.
He mouthed at her, "I'll explain later."
Czarina raised a brow and didn't speak otherwise, simply watching him leave.
He and Emma were out of Oscorp Tower. Waiting outside was a sleek, black limo, its windows tinted to a mirror-like finish.
The chauffeur opened the door for them, and Emma slid inside with graceful ease. Felix hesitated for a moment, then followed her. Inside, the limo was the epitome of luxury. The seats were upholstered in soft, black leather, and a small bar was built into the side, stocked with an assortment of fine liquors. There was even a crystal decanter filled with amber liquid, and glasses set neatly beside it.
'Rich people. Sheesh. A bar in a limo?'
Emma poured vodka and Frangelico over ice-cubes in a short glass and then drank it. She offered to do the same for Felix. "Whiskey? Scotch? Or something lighter?"
"I'll take a whiskey, thanks," Felix said, accepting the drink. He took a sip, trying to steady his nerves. "Where are we going?"
The limo began moving. Emma got comfortable. "Is that what you really want to ask?"
Freaking mind-readers. They were so damn confident, huh?
"Why did you call for me specifically?" Felix asked flatly.
Emma leaned back, crossing her legs elegantly. "You simply caught my eye."
Silence settled over the limo. Felix sipped his drink, then clicked his tongue. "Yeah, right."
"Such snark." Sip. Emma smirked. "Unexpected from a man that even Harry Osborn does not know of."
'Almost as unexpected as bringing me here.'
"Ah~!" Emma gulped down the last of her drink, then stared at him. The glass swayed in her hand and she casually filled it up again, never breaking eye-contact with Felix. She was staring for too long. Her icy confidence was melting. Instead, confusion rooted itself in her. "Hm. I still can't do it."
"Do what?"
"I can't read your mind."
His heart froze.
"It's the first time it's ever happened," Emma said. "For the life of me, I can't hear anything from you. It's like your brain is blocking me out. Ah, actually, no, it's not the first time. I've only had this happen one other time. Just once. When was it?"
Emma pretended to think. It was all an act. She knew.
"Right, right. It was when Spider-Man appeared at the Empire State Building and save us from Mr. Negative. I couldn't read his mind then—the same way I can't read your mind."
She knew.
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