The business world operated on its own twisted logic. Doran held connections that could make or break deals, and naturally, he would tip the scales in favor of his allies. This unspoken rule of high society had long since ceased to surprise Dario.
He clenched his jaw, frustration bleeding into his voice. "We could use additional partners for the expansion, but Maverick makes my skin crawl."
Veronica understood the real source of his irritation. Maverick's obvious attraction to Niall had always been a sore spot. Yet she remained unmoved by such petty concerns.
Her tone stayed asured and professional. "The project's success and our profit margins take precedence. Personal feelings are irrelevant."
Doran had crossed her path once before. While his motives remained questionable, Malcolm's respect for him spoke volus about his character and reliability.
A heavy sigh escaped Dario. "You're right." The admission ca reluctantly, more of an emotional release than genuine disagreent.
His expression shifted to sothing almost predatory. "Fortunately, we're not actively seeking investors yet. Let him sweat it out for a while."
Veronica's lips curved upward. "Fair enough." His satisfaction was harmless enough to indulge.
They had barely resud their discussion when his phone interrupted them again. The caller's identity painted a mixture of contempt and smug pleasure across his features.
Veronica didn't need to guess. "Another familiar face?"
Dario's grin turned sharp. "Marco."
"Partnership proposal?"
"Most certainly."
Marco rarely initiated contact with him under normal circumstances. The timing was too convenient to be coincidental. The Valerie family wielded considerable influence across political and military circles, ensuring their access to insider information rivaled that of the Harris.
Dario sought her approval with a glance. "Should I take it?"
Marco's treatnt of Veronica had always been deplorable. While dismissing Cullen's legitimate wife, he had embraced Niall with open arms, treating the mistress as family. In Dario's judgnt, Marco's behavior was even more reprehensible than Maverick's.
"Answer it," Veronica instructed. She refused to let personal animosity compromise their business strategy.
Dario complied, and Marco's proposition unfolded exactly as predicted.
"I'm traveling for business currently," Marco explained after outlining his proposal. "I'll return to Porter tomorrow around noon. Would dinner tomorrow evening work for you?"
Dario's response dripped with polite indifference. "Your interest is appreciated, Mr. Valerie. However, our project remains in preliminary stages, and current obligations will prevent from eting tomorrow. Perhaps another ti."
"Thursday, then?"
"My availability remains uncertain. Should my schedule clear, I'll reach out imdiately."
Marco recognized the competitive landscape surrounding their venture. Investors were practically fighting for consideration, giving Dario considerable leverage.
"Understood. I'll await your call."
The conversation ended, and Dario erupted into triumphant laughter, slapping the desk with glee. "God, that felt incredible!"
Veronica couldn't suppress her own amusent.
His laughter gradually faded as a new thought occurred to him. "Do you think Cullen might pursue a partnership as well?"
DataPulse and Stellar operated in the sa sector, making them natural competitors. Yet competition didn't preclude collaboration entirely. Their current projects offered nurous opportunities for mutually beneficial partnerships.
Veronica's response remained characteristically level. "I couldn't say. Our focus should remain on the project's rits. Personal history is secondary."
"Understood." A bit of attitude was acceptable, but serious business decisions demanded rationality over emotion.
The prospect of a call from Cullen actually intrigued Dario. Yet as the day progressed, that particular call never materialized.
Instead, his phone rang repeatedly with partnership proposals from various interested parties. Cullen's silence beca increasingly conspicuous.
Just as the workday neared its end, an unfamiliar number appeared on his screen. After a mont's hesitation, he answered.
"Mr. Reid, I presu? This is Isaac Crystal, Niall's father."
Dario froze mid-step. He pulled the phone away, eting Veronica's eyes. "Isaac Crystal."
Veronica's expression remained neutral, but her silence spoke volus.
Years of friendship had taught Dario to read her unspoken communications perfectly.
Other parties deserved professional consideration despite personal grievances. The Crystal family, however, rited no such courtesy.
Returning the phone to his ear, he forced warmth into his voice while his eyes remained glacial. "Mr. Crystal. How may I assist you?"
Isaac's pitch followed the predictable pattern. Dario responded with practiced diplomacy. "I appreciate your interest, Mr. Crystal. Should your proposal align with our requirents, we'll certainly give it proper consideration."
Isaac possessed enough intelligence to recognize diplomatic evasion when he heard it. Dario's words sounded encouraging on the surface, but their sincerity was questionable at best.
He attempted to arrange a dinner eting, but Dario deflected with claims of scheduling conflicts before ending the call abruptly.
Turning back to Veronica, he shook his head in disbelief. "Maverick and Marco having early access makes sense given their family connections. But the Lockers?"
The Crystal family remained relative newcors to Porter's social hierarchy, still struggling to establish their position. Their rapid acquisition of insider information suggested outside assistance.
Veronica understood his implication imdiately. Either Cullen or Marco had provided the tip, both having obvious motivations for keeping Niall's family inford.
Dario's earlier satisfaction curdled into disgust. Yet he recognized that Veronica likely felt even worse about the situation.
His tone softened with concern. "Co on. Your senior's doing well financially. Let treat you to sothing extravagant."
Contrary to his assumption, Veronica felt remarkably untroubled. She had made peace with these dynamics long ago. Those people no longer possessed the ability to destabilize her emotional equilibrium.
More importantly, she now controlled the situation. The power dynamic had shifted decisively in her favor.
Still, declining Dario's generous offer seed ungracious.
She smiled genuinely. "That sounds wonderful."
Together, they departed for their well-deserved celebration.
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