72 Justin Kale
The sun was setting when I pulled up to the valet section of the Eidolon Interactive headquarters.
I hadn't gotten ti to get a car of my own so I was basically borrowing Matt's Senna which was at the sa ti, technically mine. Confusing, right? Don't worry. It does make sense.
I glanced at the building as I parked, admiring its beautiful design, all glass and steel with the concrete hiding behind its pretty shell.
I adjusted my tie as I stepped out of the car, handing the keys to the valet with a nod. This was a eting I couldn't afford to miss.
Not just because this would be my first shareholder eting at Eidolon Interactive, one of the powerhouses of the ga world but also because this would be my first eting with Justin Kale, soone who had actually known my mother.
Well, so of you might argue that she's not my mother but the Nico in will disagree with you. He's and I'm him, rember?
Even if I was not as emotional with it as I would've been, I still couldn't help the sense of curiosity about the woman the system uses to give my rewards.
And right now, he was the second person I know had to have known Lauren Cooper very well. And the first is my father.
This was my chance to learn more about the woman whom the system wouldn't let know about.
And I'm sure you all already know I won't be if I didn't have another plan under my plan. I was also here to see how I could leverage Eidolon Interactive to benefit Sunset Inn. Maybe a few Sunset Inn hotels in a ga or two? We'll see.
I walked inside, following the trail of people in expensive suits to where the conference room had to be.
I checked my reflection in the glass doors leading to the conference room, confirming that I really did look my best. My suit was one of the custom tailored ones I'd gotten, my hair was neatly styled and my tie was just the right shade of bold.
Perfect.
As I entered the room, Tom was already there, handing over my na badge with a small nod.
"You're seated near the front." He whispered. "Right next to Mr. Kale."
Perfect.
I thanked him before making my way through the crowd, exchanging polite nods and handshakes.
Tom had to be heaven sent because in all my years of being in positions of leadership, I'd never had soone this competent.
It didn't take too long to get to the high table where the man I was here for sat.
Justin Kale.
Even if you hadn't t him or saw him before, you couldn't mistake him for soone else.
Mid-fifties, with salt-and-pepper hair and a knowing look in his eyes that suggested he saw everything, even things you thought were hidden. He exuded the kind of confidence that ca from building a multi-billion-dollar empire with his bare hands.
"Mr. Kale." I said, extending my hand. "Nico Voss. It's an honor to et you."
He looked up from the tablet he was reviewing and took my hand in a firm grip. "Voss." He said slowly, his eyes narrowing slightly. "Logan's son. Or should I say, Lauren's son."
I smiled at him with the confidence of a man who knew what he was talking about. "I'm honored you rember her."
"How could I forget?" His lips curled into sothing between a smile and a smirk. "Lauren was one of the brightest minds I've ever worked with. Her ideas… ahead of their ti."
"She was." I said softly. "I've always heard that about her. I was hoping to learn more about her from you."
Kale nodded thoughtfully. "Perhaps after the eting. I imagine you didn't co here just to discuss the past."
"No." I admitted. He seed like the kind of man who appreciated directness, so I gave it to him straight. "Sunset Inn. It's a boutique hotel chain I'm developing. I thought Eidolon might be interested in tech partnerships."
Kale stared at thoughtfully. "Ambitious. I like it. Let's see how this eting goes, then we'll talk."
I nodded and took my seat beside him. The eting comnced and Kale took the lead, addressing the shareholders with the kind of natural authority I aspired to possess. Maybe it ca with experience. I paid close attention as he spoke even as my mind was fixed on what I might learn from him later.
When the eting ended, people began to file out, eager to network or head back to their offices. Instead of doing that, Kale leaned back in his chair, studying .
"You've got Lauren's intensity." He said. "It's in your eyes."
"Thank you." I said. "She ans a lot to , even if I didn't get to know her as well as I would have liked."
"She was a visionary." He said, his tone softening. "When she joined my team, Eidolon was just an idea. She gave it structure. Discipline. She challenged my assumptions and pushed to think bigger."
I leaned forward, eager for more. "What was she like? Outside of work, I an."
His gaze turned distant, as if searching his mories.
"She was ruthless and intelligent but also kind. She believed in fairness, in creating opportunities for others. It was rare in our industry. She wasn't just about profits. She wanted to make an impact."
Hearing this stirred sothing inside . The part of that was Nico Voss felt it. A pride that ca from knowing Lauren Cooper was more than just a mother who'd been taken from too soon.
She was a force.
"I want to carry that forward." I said, eting his gaze. "Through Sunset Inn. It's not just about luxury. It's about experiences, stories, connections. Things that matter."
Kale studied for a mont, then nodded. "I can see why you'd want to honor her legacy. And I respect that. But tell , Nico, how far are you willing to go to make this work?"
In the silence that ensued, I held his gaze, making sure he understood my next words. "As far as it takes."
He smiled faintly. "Good. Because this industry isn't kind to anyone. Especially soone with a na like Voss. People will expect you to either fail spectacularly or succeed beyond reason. There's no middle ground."
"I'm not aiming for the middle." I said.
"Good." He stood, signaling the end of our conversation. "Let's set up a eting with my tech team. I'll have my assistant coordinate with yours. We'll see what Eidolon can do for Sunset Inn."
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