The Acquisition Challenge was a trial by fire. Robert immediately discarded Ethan's strategy of chasing high-volume, low-margin Brazilian stock. Ethan relied on the family name and simply bought the largest factory he could find, hoping to overwhelm the competition.
Robert, guided by her own relentless research and the quiet, strategic advice from James, focused on leverage. She identified a small, debt-ridden cutting facility in Thailand that possessed a patent for a revolutionary, low-waste polishing process. The facility was politically risky, but the long-term strategic advantage was massive.
Robert spent two weeks locked in a tense, brutal negotiation via secured video calls, fighting to keep her young voice steady and her disguised persona intact. She wasn't just negotiating the price; she was negotiating safety guarantees, labor contracts, and legal complexities James had flagged.
James was her anchor. He never intervened in the business decisions, but he was always there, providing data and managing the logistics of the deal. He researched local political figures, ensuring Robert knew exactly who she could trust on the ground. He acted as the shield that allowed Robert to execute her plan without the fear of internal sabotage.
Meanwhile, David was a study in frustrating contradiction. He was rarely at the dorm, preferring the comfortable distraction of Amelia and the social circuit. Yet, he would periodically stride into the lounge, demanding to know Robert's progress, his questions sharp and intrusive.
"Did you secure the export license, Robert? That region is a swamp of bureaucracy," David demanded one evening, his jaw tight.
"It's handled," Robert replied simply, tired of the intrusion.
"By who?" David pressed. "It takes a month just to get the initial paperwork, unless you're cheating."
"I used James's connections to expedite the process legally," Robert stated, refusing to justify her methods.
David shot a furious glance at James, who was calmly organizing a stack of reports. David's rage wasn't about the company's integrity; it was pure, unadulterated jealousy that Robert relied on James, not him.
"You should be using the Lucas name, not relying on James's procurement favors!" David snapped, walking out without waiting for a reply.
Three weeks later, the results of the challenge were announced.
Ethan had acquired a large Brazilian factory, spending his entire budget and saddling the Lucas Company with immense, slow-moving inventory.
Robert had acquired the small Thai facility, spending far less. But her victory was absolute: she secured a massive strategic advantage with the new polishing patent, promising future savings and a competitive edge that Ethan's volume purchase could never match.
Theodore Lucas announced the results in a full meeting of the board. He looked at Ethan with deep disappointment. Then, he looked at Robert with a flash of paternal pride that Emily hadn't seen since her father was alive.
"Robert Williams Lucas," Theodore announced, his voice ringing with authority. "You have demonstrated the precision and foresight that this company demands. You have won the Acquisition Challenge."
Charlotte's face, beside Ethan, was a mask of cold fury. Ethan looked physically ill.
Robert had done it. She had secured the first major victory, proving her competence against her rival.
Later that night, back in the sanctuary of the dormitory, Robert sat at the table, savoring the silent, profound relief. James walked in, carrying two mugs of tea.
"You did it, Emily," James murmured, using her true name for the first time since her collapse, confirming the absolute safety of his knowledge.
Robert looked up, her guard instantly falling. She knew, then, that James wasn't just her shield; he was the only person in this gilded cage who truly saw her.
"Thank you, James," she whispered, her voice cracking with exhaustion and emotion. "I couldn't have done it without your caution."
James set down the tea. He reached across the table and very gently squeezed her shoulder, a brief, masculine gesture that felt surprisingly tender.
"We have two more challenges to win, Robert," he said, switching back to her public name. "But this was the hardest."
The quiet bond between them—an alliance built on a shared secret and professional respect—was now stronger than ever, ready to face the next stage of the ruthless competition.