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A few moments passed in silence for Fabian as he listened to the one sound present in the room – the ticking clock affixed to the wall. Fabian felt as if he was at a dead end; every alternative he had seemed to be leading to the same conclusion. Give up everything for a deal that he was unsure he even still wanted- was he expected to do that?

“What are your views about this Emma?” Fabian finally opted to ask as he turned to look at her. “Is there a way out of this?”

Emma seemed to think carefully before moving towards the desk. “Ali?” She asked. “Yes, it’s possible, but it is quite difficult. You can speak to Martinez, maybe, there is a possibility of negotiating the merger and not the marriage. But, knowing how much he wants that marriage, that’s so hard to believe.”

“Understood, and what if I decline that option as well?” Fabian asked after a pause.

Emma's demeanor became severe. "If you choose not to, Martinez may back off, and you would lose the deal. It would be even worse if the