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Bishara smiled “Firstly, Mr Sloane, allowme this opportunity to equal the counterbid made by a third party” Sloane sreed on the suo, and as I put down a deposit withof a surprise”

“Yes, I ize for that,” said Sloane “But you will understand the dile that we have a fiduciary duty to our stockholders”

“I don’t knohat your father did for a living, Mr Sloane,” said Bishara, “but mine was a carpet trader in Istanbul, and one of the ht reed upon, coffee was served, and you then sat around for so to like each other; the equivalent of an Englishman’s handshake followed by lunch at his club So my offer of five pounds a share is still on the table, and if you decide to take it up I will happily sign the agreement”

All eight boardhim to accept Bishara’s offer But Sloane simply s

“If that is your final offer, Mr Bishara, I fear I will have to accept the counterbid I only hope that we can part as

friends”

The eight directors turned their attention to the other end of the table One of the

“Clearly theat my father’s feet in the bazaars of Istanbul Therefore, Mr Sloane, you have left me with no choice but to withdraw my offer”

Sloane’s lips began to quiver as Bishara handed the banker’s draft back to his lawyer, rose slowly fro and successful relationship with your nener, whoever that ht be”

Bishara left the boardrooain until they were seated in the back of his Bentley, when he leaned forward and said to his driver, “Change of plan, Fred, I need to call Kaufman’s Bank”

“Could you put h to Dr Wolfe,” said Seb

“Who is calling?”

“Sebastian Clifton”

“Mr Clifton, how kind of you to call back I only wish it were in happier circumstances”

Seb’s legs gave way, and he collapsed into the chair behind his father’s desk, desperate to find out if anything had happened to Samantha or Jessica