Henry Vance liked Richard Steele's house because it did not try to impress him.
It was large, obviously tasteful, Quiet in a way that suggested money had lived there long enough to stop proving itself. That alone told Henry everything he needed to know.
They sat opposite each other in the sunroom, cups of tea cooling between them. Outside, the garden was trimmed within an inch of perfection.
Henry sighed lightly, shaking his head. "Do you remember when we used to chase investors instead of investors chasing us?"
Richard chuckled. "I remember being ignored."
"Exactly." Henry smiled. "Now they beg for meetings."
"And they panic when they do not get answers quickly enough," Richard added.
They shared a knowing look.
Henry leaned back. "The industry is changing faster than people admit. Mergers are no longer optional, they are survival."
Richard nodded. "That is why I agreed to this conversation in the first place."
Henry tapped his fingers against the armrest. "A Steele and a Vance joining forces publicly would calm markets. Investors like stability, they like families. They like stories."
Richard smiled faintly. "I get your point, they love fairy tales with balance sheets."
"Exactly," Henry said. "Your son and my daughter represent something solid. It's more like old money but with a new vision. That kind of headline does half the work for us. But your son Alex seems to be opposed to the idea of settling down "
Richard took a sip of tea. "Alex is not opposed to the idea of marriage. He is opposed to being rushed."
Henry waved it off. "All men say that when they are still enjoying freedom."
Richard smiled slightly. "You are not wrong."
Henry leaned forward. "Nicole is patient, but patience has limits. She has stood beside him long enough for the public to assume permanence. We should give them confirmation."
"yes,you are right " Richard affirmed"we need to turn speculation into certainty," Richard said.
"Yes." Henry's voice softened. "I am not asking you to force him. I am asking you to guide him."
Richard considered this. "Alex responds better to logic than pressure."
"Then remind him what this union does for both families," Henry replied. "And for him."
Richard nodded slowly. "I will speak to him."
"That is all I ask," Henry said, standing. "The rest will fall into place."
They shook hands, not as rivals, not even as friends, but as men who understood the same language.
OVER AT THE VANCE RESIDENCE
.................
Upstairs, Nicole was already packing.
Her bedroom was a controlled chaos of silk, heels, jewelry cases, and open suitcases. Natalie sat on the edge of the bed scrolling through flight details while Nina tried on sunglasses in front of the mirror.
"The private jet has been confirmed," Natalie said. "we leave on Friday night Friday night."
"Good," Nicole replied without looking up. "I want champagne chilled before takeoff."
Nina laughed. "You always want champagne."
"yes , and that's because I deserve it," Nicole said calmly.
She lifted a dress, held it up, then tossed it aside. "Am definitely not repeating an outfit. And no safe outfits too."
Natalie glanced at her. "This trip is already costing a fortune."
Nicole shrugged. "Money is meant to be spent ,it's meant to be visible baby girl."
Nina grinned. "Dubai is going to lose its mind."
"That is the goal," Nicole replied.
They moved around the room easily, like they had done for years.They've been friends since first year of high school. They were known as "The N-GOLD TRIO". They've had sleepovers countless times in this room. Back in their school years ,no one messed with them,not even their teachers .weak students avoided them like a plague because they were the school bullies.
Natalie leaned back against the dresser. "So. Alex."
Nicole paused briefly, then continued folding. "What about him?"
"You are deflecting," Nina said. "That means something is up."
Nicole sighed softly. "Nothing is wrong."
"That sigh again," Natalie said. "You do that when you are irritated."
"I am not irritated," Nicole replied. "I am managing."
Nina crossed her arms. "Managing what?"
"A man who does not like being told what to do," Nicole said.
Natalie smiled knowingly. "Dangerous combination."
"He is not disloyal," Nicole added. "Just slow."
"That is worse," Nina said. "Slow gives opportunities."
Nicole's hands stilled. She looked up, eyes cool. "No one is taking Alex from me."
Natalie raised her palms. "Relax. We know."
Nicole smiled, but it did not reach her eyes. "I am relaxed."
Nina tilted her head. "You sound like you are convincing yourself."
Nicole closed the suitcase. "I am simply aware."
They let it go, as they always did,whenever Nicole doesn't want to discuss something ,they know well enough to avoid pushing her so they shifted topics. They moved on to talking about yachts, desert dinners, rooftop pools. About how Dubai made people feel small and powerful at the same time.
Natalie laughed. "Men are going to fall over themselves."
"They always do," Nina said.
Nicole picked up her phone, checking notifications. No new messages.
She locked the screen and placed it face down.
"This trip will be good," she said. "A reset."
Later that night, when the room quieted and her friends left, Nicole stood alone by the window. The city stretched below her, glittering, obedient.
She thought of Alex. Of his distance. His restraint.
She did not want to doubt his feelings.she only doubted his urgency.
And that, more than anything, unsettled her.