Robert wins some and ... loses some?

Daniel and Audrey anxiously watched Robert and Himari kick off the meeting when Robert bent down and kiss the back of her hand. For the next few hours, Robert and Himari sparred around what many would have called a very lucrative deal. Time and time again Himari presented a different proposal for partial purchase of the pharmaceutical division, a merger, joint venture, and other means of cooperating. All through the meeting

Himari flirted with Robert and at first, he seemed to return the gestures. The morning meetings turned into a business lunch and then into an afternoon meeting. All throughout the day Himari's insinuations would at times became bolder and it was then that... well... you could say that the women of Ravers Enterprise rose to the challenge; Chastity was constantly attending Robert, whether it was bringing folders or refreshments, and always with a scowl towards Himari. Sophia would send her own insinuations towards the beautiful women that at times seemed to be welcomed, and yet also make her a bit uncomfortable at other moments. Brooke's charming demeanor, charisma, and status has Robert's ex-wife let her get close enough to Robert to actually give the impression that they had reconciled their differences. Even Christine, who apparently was there just to accompany Brooke, would hang on to Robert's arm or touch his shoulder every time Brooke had to join one of the other teams.

Robert had called forth Daniel, Audrey, Brooke, Klaus, and a few other investors that had come to support Ravers Enterprise to present their part in his grand game to win. But in the end, it was Robert who truly made the difference. Robert rejected each offer and proposal has being insufficient. He countering that Jaisur's projections were woefully pessimistic. When she pressed him Robert skillfully presented business projections, future contracts, standby loans, and other potential investors willing to pay much more than what Jaisur was offering. That day Robert Ravers proved once again why he was the Lion of Azure Rocks and showed that any hostile take over of Ravers Enterprises would bankrupt Jaisur Ltd.

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Later that night Robert sat alone in the library nursing a scotch in his hand. Heather, Logan, and Kurt were up in Heather's room and Audrey and Daniel had quickly sneaked off once they arrived back at the Manor, no doubt to start Daniel's birthday. It had been a long day yet he still wrestled with the most difficult part of all, himself.

He had noticed the scowl on Daniel's face when he entered the room with Chastity and Audrey and wondered if his brother knew of his affair with Audrey. It hadn't been his intention to start it, it had just happened when Audrey had entered his office and caught him with his pants down, literally, and with a half-naked Chastity giving him a blowjob. He wondered if there was a future there, with Audrey. She had obviously had know he had continued with Chastity and today she made it crystal clear when she hadn't been surprised to catch them again in the same compromising position.

His mind drifted to the dinner they had after fending off Jaisur. He fondly remembered Heather bickering with Kurt like they always did until Andrew took Heather away to soon disappear for about half an hour. Logan had engaged Kurt and distracted him, spending some time with his cousin and two aunts. And Audrey and Daniel looked like the perfect couple as they laughed and ate and danced on the impromptu dance floor they had made in the dining area of the hotel. He had danced for a while, but not with Audrey. He danced with Chastity, and Christine, and almost all the women present. He even danced a few songs with Brooke and was surprised when she kissed him near the end of the evening and said "Thank you for everything you did today."

'No,' he said to himself 'I can't do it. I can't hurt Daniel again.' He reminded himself that it had been his own indiscretions with Mallory that had led to Daniel's breakup with Monica Bishop and how heartbroken he had been. He felt ashamed sometimes at how Daniel had never blamed Robert for his breakup with Monica. Fate had given Daniel a second chance at real love with Audrey. He couldn't hurt him again. Especially not now with Logan and Isabella. He couldn't let them go through the pain Heather had gone through with his own divorce. Tomorrow he would tell Audrey that they had to end the affair. Better to end it now when nobody had gotten hurt and the only other witness was Chastity.

He took a deep breath and another sip of his scotch. That was another thing. Chastity. She had been invigorating and lots of fun but... But she lacked the enthusiasm he needed. He always felt like she was a delicate piece of china in his hands that would break at any moment. He would end the affair with her, gently, but end it nonetheless. She knew full well of his reputation and his tastes after having made the many hotel and airplane reservation for the women he enjoyed so he guessed it would not be something to surprise her.

Last weekend he had mulled over the idea to follow the example of Klaus and find a woman who would not only be his lover but also a partner in crime. He finally decided he would have to find someone like that. He realized his mistake had always been to look for a wholesome woman first, and that she would also join him in his pleasure second. It was time to look the other way around.

No. He wouldn't have any more affairs close to home. No more Brookes, or Audreys, or Chastitys, or god forbid any of his daughter's friends who were being more and more tempting. He realized that temptation would have cost him the company today if not for his affairs and the women.

Today wasn't just a turning point for him in Ravers Enterprise today he would also be a turning point in his own life and start a new path.

A movement caught his eye and he saw a shapely figure wearing a robe watching him from the shadow just outside the doorway. When he looked he saw her enter the room, she seemed to slide across the floor. "Ravers would have lost today without you." she said " You shouldn't have to be alone tonight you know. You deserve a special reward."

'Well' Robert thought with a chuckle 'I can start the new path tomorrow.'