Ashley adjusted her blazer as she entered the conference room, her heels clicking against the polished floor. Moreno’s son, Ethan, stood when she walked in, his smile wide and confident.
“Miss Donaldson,” Ethan greeted warmly, extending his hand.
Ashley shook it firmly, noticing the way his eyes lingered on hers. His gaze wasn’t just polite; it held a certain admiration. She ignored it, taking her seat across the table.
“Mr. Moreno,” she said with a small smile. “Shall we get started?”
Ethan nodded, but his smile lingered. “I must say, meeting you in person is quite different from the reports I’ve read. Demitri spoke very highly of your leadership.”
Ashley’s brow lifted slightly. “He did?”
“Yes. He said you’ve transformed the Donaldson boards into one of the most efficient and forward-thinking enterprises in the city.” Ethan’s tone was earnest, but there was a glimmer of something else—curiosity, perhaps.
Ashley leaned back in her chair, her mind racing. Why would Demitri praise me to him? she wondered.
Ethan continued, seemingly unaware of her internal conflict. “It made me wonder why my father never partnered with the Donaldsons before, considering how long our families have known each other.”
Ashley nodded thoughtfully. “Timing, I suppose.”
“Or maybe it’s because we didn’t know about you, Emerald Donaldson. You’re like a missing piece of the puzzle,” Ethan added, his voice lowering slightly, “and I know I won’t regret this partnership.”
Before Ashley could respond, the door to the conference room creaked open, and Demitri strode in, his presence commanding as always.
“Apologies for being late,” Demitri said smoothly, though his eyes darted between Ashley and Ethan, his jaw tightening slightly.
Ethan waved it off. “No problem at all. We were just getting started.”
Demitri took a seat beside Ashley, his shoulders brushing hers ever so slightly. “Good. Let’s dive into the terms.”
For the next hour, the discussion was strictly business. Ashley outlined the proposal with precision, and Ethan countered with questions and clarifications.
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