Chapter 89: At Arm’s Length
Diane’s POV
The afternoon sun streamed through Joan’s living room windows, casting long shadows across the papers scattered on the coffee table. I’d been working for hours, researching everything I could find about Elite Group—their investment portfolio, their corporate values, their past partnerships. If I was going to convince them to partner with Synergy Sphere, I needed to understand exactly what would appeal to them.
"Their ESG scores are impressive," I said, tapping my pen against the notepad in my lap. "They clearly prioritize sustainable investments."
Joan nodded, pushing her reading glasses up her nose as she scrolled through her laptop. "And they’ve been moving aggressively into construction and real estate tech over the past three years. Their last five major investments were all in companies with innovative building solutions."
"Which works in our favor," I said, circling a note I’d made earlier. "Synergy Sphere’s new smart building technology is exactly the kind of construction innovation they seem to value."
"Not to mention," Joan added, "the PR angle of backing a company with new female leadership after a scandal. It fits their whole ’force for positive change’ branding."
I grimaced slightly. "I’d rather win them on merit than sympathy."
"It’s business, Diane," Joan reminded me. "Use every advantage you have."
My back was aching from sitting in the same position too long. I shifted, trying to find a comfortable position, but the twins seemed determined to use my bladder as a trampoline.
"I need to use the bathroom," I announced, struggling to my feet. "These two are playing soccer with my internal organs again."
Joan chuckled. "Need help getting up?"