Mila returned to the table to et Noah and I trading jokes back and forth.
She sat down, smiling radiantly. "What are you two talking about?" She teased, glancing between the two of us.
"You're not gonna believe this." Noah leaned back, a smug smile on his face. "Nico's personal attorney is Michael Lincoln."
Mila's eyebrows shot up in surprise. "Wait, 'the' Michael Lincoln?" She asked, glancing at , impressed. "I heard that Lincoln doesn't take on a lot of clients. That's impressive."
I shrugged casually. "Well, it's not that big of a deal."
"In here, it kinda is." Mila grinned. "He's a mber of the club, you know."
"Really?" It was my brow's turn to shoot up. I glanced at Noah who nodded to show it was true.
"Yeah. You didn't ntion that you knew him." She gave a playful nudge with her elbow. "Holding out on ?"
I chuckled. "Didn't seem important at the ti."
If I had known, I definitely would have ntioned it.
Mila glanced at her watch before gasping theatrically. "Wow. Ti does move when you're having fun." She turned to . "It's almost ti for your interview. You ready?"
I nodded, confidence flooding my body. "I'm ready."
Even if I wasn't ready, I would've said I was. Fake it till you make it wasn't just a mantra. It actually does work.
Mila stood and motioned for to follow her. "Co on, I'll walk you there."
We left the lounge and began walking to the interview room, walking past a few abstract paintings.
"So, what do you think of Noah?" Mila asked curiously.
I shrugged. "He's... nice, I guess."
"Yeah, he is." Mila chuckled. "He was the one who actually got in. I t him at one of my shoots and we hit it off. He recomnded for mbership."
My brows rose. Was he that much of a good samaritan or was he another guy with an unrequited crush?
"The board was actually planning to reject my application but Noah stepped in, making them accept for PR or sothing like that."
I blinked. "Is he really that influential enough to influence the board's decision?"
"Of course." Mila nodded. "He's the only son of Abraham Patterson, owner of Golden Oil."
Ah. Now, I understand. Golden Oil was one of the bigger oil companies, involved in mining of oil and the production of petroleum products.
With a family with a networth in the billions, I could see how he'd be influential.
The Pine Press Country Club had only a handful of billionaires. It was a gathering place for the elite but it wasn't like billionaires were as available as grass.
We finally got to the door of the interview where there was an older gentleman with a clipboard. "Mr. Voss?" He asked, scanning my face.
"Yes." I answered. There was no way I would've been able to apply for mbership without my last na.
I had told Mila and in the process, clarified that I was just distantly related to the Voss family.
"Right this way." The man smiled. "They're ready for you."
I glanced at Mila, who gave a reassuring nod before I stepped inside.
The room was decorated in that bland way rich people decorated things that sohow made it sohow not bland. More rich people sorcery.
There was a long table and seated at it were three interviewers, two n and one woman, all of them in their fifties.
They were dressed impeccably and sat with the kind of confidence that ca from being at the top for years.
I had t people like this. With them, flattery would get you anywhere.
The man who had led in gestured for to sit, and I took my seat at the head of the table.
The interviewers greeted with polite smiles, assessing as if they were already formulating their opinions about . Just as I expected.
They all introduced themselves before the woman began.
"Welco to Pine Press Country Club, Mr. Voss. We appreciate you taking the ti today for this interview."
"Thank you for having ." I replied with a smile, maintaining eye contact. "It's an honor just to be here."
The older of the two n nodded, folding his hands on the table. "The Pine Press Country Club is very selective with its mbers, as I'm sure you know. We would like to hear a little about your background. Tell us about yourself, Mr. Voss."
I smiled, projecting confidence while keeping it all humble.
"I've spent the last several years building my presence in the investnt world, focusing mainly on real estate and consur goods."
It doesn't matter if they search and find nothing. They'll probably never search. When the person recomnding is Noah Patterson, I've got a little bit of credibility.
"I believe in creating value wherever possible, and that philosophy has guided in both my professional and personal life."
It does sound like sothing you'll post on LinkedIn but it does work on these types.
The second man, who had been watching quietly, nodded. "Interesting. Your last na, Voss, is sowhat familiar. Are you related to Logan Voss, the billionaire?"
I had been expecting this question and I smiled humbly. "Yes sir. We're distant relatives." I t their eyes confidently.
Being distant relatives ant I wasn't so close that they'd be asking about Voss matters but I also couldn't deny being related to Voss. That's an advantage in matters like this.
"I see." The woman jotted sothing down on the paper in front of her, her eyes flicking back to . "And what made you interested in joining Pine Press?"
I leaned forward slightly, displaying enthusiasm but not too much of it. "Pine Press is a community of the best minds in business, art, and innovation. I'm interested in learning from the people here, expanding my network, and contributing to the ongoing success of the club."
The older man raised an eyebrow, pleased with my answer. "That's a strong perspective." He said. "Tell us, Mr. Voss, what kind of ventures are you currently involved in?"
I saw my opportunity and took it.
"At the mont, I'm working closely with my legal team on a significant real estate deal. My attorney, Michael Lincoln, has been quite instruntal in getting things in order."
The ntion of Lincoln's na had the effect I was hoping for. The interviewers exchanged loaded glances. Noah was right. Lincoln's na did carry so weight around here.
"Michael Lincoln?" The older man asked. "He's not soone who takes on clients lightly. That speaks volus about you, Mr. Voss."
I gave a small nod, acknowledging the complint. "I've been fortunate to have his expertise on my side."
From that mont onward, the atmosphere in the room shifted to one of approval.
The conversation was more relaxed and by the end of the interview, the three of them were smiling, even joking with . It was as if I was a mber of the club already.
"Well, Mr. Voss," the woman said, standing up as the interview ca to a close, "we'll be making our final decision soon, but based on today's conversation, I'd say you have a strong case for mbership."
The second man nodded, standing as well. "It's been a pleasure eting you, Nico."
"The pleasure's been mine." I replied, standing and shaking their hands, one by one.
And just as I stepped out of the room, it appeared in front of .
[Ding!]
[Stamp Holder detected!]
Reviews
All reviews (0)