After wrapping up the discussion about Niall's business proposal, Veronica shifted her attention to the other contender. "What's your take on Dennis Group's submission?"
Dario touched his nose, a telltale sign of his uncertainty. "Cullen knows our business inside and out. His technical background gives him a serious advantage."
Dennis Group commanded respect in their industry for good reason. Their financial resources ran deep, and their technical team consisted of the most coveted experts money could hire. Cullen himself possessed an expertise that few could match.
The proposal he had submitted didn't just et their standards. It exceeded them by a considerable margin.
Perhaps that explained his confident approach to this potential partnership. He could afford to wait, to make his move at precisely the right mont.
Veronica absorbed this information without surprise. She had expected as much from Cullen's operation.
"Base your decision on what's best for the project," she instructed. "Nothing else should factor into it."
Collaborating with an elite team would eliminate countless headaches down the road. Whatever personal history existed between her and Cullen paled in comparison to the project's success.
Maverick arrived at DataPulse that afternoon, carrying himself with his usual air of determination.
This ti, Dario refused to grant him an audience.
Without anyone willing to et with him, Maverick had no choice but to leave empty-handed.
Marco arrived shortly after Maverick's departure. Both Dario and Veronica made themselves available for this eting.
They studied Marco's revised proposal in comfortable silence, occasionally exchanging aningful looks. The docunt impressed them both.
When they finished their review, Veronica rose from her chair and offered her hand to Marco. "I believe we can build sothing remarkable together, Mr. Valerie."
Marco observed the dynamic between Veronica and Dario with keen interest. It beca clear that Veronica held the ultimate decision-making power at DataPulse. He stood and clasped both their hands in turn. "The pleasure is mine. This partnership will benefit us all."
They imdiately began hamring out the contractual specifics.
Hours passed as they negotiated terms and conditions. The sun had begun its descent toward the horizon when they finally approached a preliminary agreent. At that mont, Veronica's phone erupted into its familiar ringtone.
Sabrina's na appeared on the display. The call ended, then imdiately started again.
Veronica ignored both attempts. Sabrina seed to take the hint and didn't try a third ti.
Cullen's phone buzzed shortly afterward. Sabrina's na lit up his screen.
He answered the call and left his office within thirty minutes.
At ho, he found Sabrina connected to an IV drip, her complexion worryingly pale against the white pillows. Her eyes brightened slightly when she spotted him in the doorway.
"Dad," she whispered, her voice barely audible.
Cullen settled into the chair beside her bed. Beads of perspiration dotted her forehead despite the room's comfortable temperature. He pulled out his handkerchief and gently dabbed at the moisture. "How's the pain in your stomach?"
"Better than before," she lied. The cramping continued to send waves of discomfort through her abdon.
Cullen chose not to lecture her about her dietary choices. Instead, he recognized the lancholy that seed to surround her like a shroud. "Should I call Niall? He could be here in twenty minutes."
Under normal circumstances, she would have jumped at the opportunity to see him.
Tonight felt different. She wrapped her small fingers around Cullen's hand and shook her head weakly. "I need Mom to co ho."
Sabrina's affection for Niall was undeniable. But when illness struck and vulnerability crept in, she craved the comfort that only Veronica could provide. Despite their occasional conflicts, Veronica remained the person Sabrina wanted most during her darkest monts.
The raw honesty in her request touched sothing deep in Cullen's chest.
"I'll call her," he promised.
He allowed Sabrina to maintain her grip on one hand while he used the other to dial Veronica's number.
Veronica had just concluded her contract negotiations with Marco. They were preparing to continue their discussions over dinner when her phone rang.
The mory of Sabrina's two earlier calls flashed through her mind when she saw Cullen's na. After a brief hesitation, she accepted the call. "Yes?"
"Sabrina has food poisoning. She's receiving IV treatnt at ho right now. She's asking for you," Cullen explained without preamble.
Veronica's grip tightened around the phone. "I'm on my way."
She ended the call and turned to Marco with an apologetic expression. "I'm sorry, but I need to handle a family ergency. Can we reschedule dinner?"
Marco noticed the imdiate change in her deanor and the urgency that had crept into her voice. "Is Sabrina alright?"
"She's sick," Veronica confird.
"Seriously ill?"
Cullen's brief explanation had left many questions unanswered. Veronica honestly didn't know the full extent of Sabrina's condition. "I think she's stable, but I need to see for myself."
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