<b>Chapter </b>266
After hanging up the <b>phone</b>, Christine <b>kept </b>sneaking peeks at me like she was hiding something.
“What are you <b>looking </b>at me for?” I asked, puzzled.
“Do you think” she started, her voiceced with suspicion, “the investor Laura’s setting us up with could be Bryant?”
<b>“</b>Doubt it.”
I shook my head, even though a part of me wasn’t so sure. “He just got out of the hospital. I haven’t heard him or Kevin talking about anything like thistely.”
“Then who could it be<b>?</b>”
Christine was genuinely puzzled<b>.</b>
I didn’t <b>have </b><b>a </b>clue either, so I simply said, “Well, <b>we’ve </b>already agreed to the dinner Let’s just go and see. RiverCity isn’t thatrge; if it’s someone we know, it’s bound toe out.”
“Fair point,” Christine agreed.
w outfit and
Later, I changed into a new out
grabbed a beige wool coat before heading out to dinner with Christine.
Christine had booked the restaurant. Having navigated the Marketing Department for years, she had a knack for these social gatherings. When we arrived<b>, </b>a waiter escorted us to a private room.
The room overlooked the river, offering a stunning view of the city lights reflecting off the water. The atmosphere was tranquil and ssy, and the menu boasted authentic local cuisine.
Laura was already there. She greeted us warmly, quickly diving into conversation with <b>Christine</b>. “You two are familiar with our guest tonight, right? I’ve got <b>a </b>big project and I’m really looking to coborate with their group. Put in a good word for <b>me </bter okay<b>?</b>”
Christine didn’t beat around the bush. “Laura, is it the Ferguson Group?”
“The Ferguson Group?” <b>Laura </b>frowned and gave Christine a yful re. “Have you lost your mind? You and Ms. Webster just left the Ferguson Group. Why would they want to support a new brand thatpetes directly with their own?”
So it wasn’t the Ferguson Group. And it certainly wasn’t Bryant.
I breathed a sigh of relief. If it were him, I’d have no choice but to refuse.
And that would mean missing out on another investment opportunity.
“Well, I overthought it.”
Christine, keeping my history with Bryant to herself, raised an eyebrow and probed, “So, spill the beans. Whichpany is it?” Laura was surprisingly open. “The RF Group, which just went public on the NYSEst month. Heard of them?”
<b>“</b><b>AFT</b>
Christine sounded shocked. “You mean the one that emerged in New York and built a financial empire in just three years? That RF Group?”
????? ???? ?? ?? ?? ? ???? ?? ?? ??
Her reminder jogged my memory.
The RF Group was <b>known </b>for its formidable wealth, having built a business empire in a short span, yet its enigmatic boss remained out <b>of </b>the spotlight.
Laura nodded. “Surprising, right?”
“Are you serious? You’ve got us an investor like <b>that</b>?”
Christine swallowed hard. “Is this restaurant ssy enough? Who are we meeting?”
“Their Chief Executive Officer Laura smiled, then added, “But you’ve chosen the perfect spot. He’s been abroad for years and just returned recently. He’ll definitely appreciate the taste of home here in RiverCity”
Knowing who we were about to meet made both Christine and me a bit nervous.
<b>I </b>squeezed Christine’s hand. “It’s okay. <b>If </b>they agreed to this dinner after seeing <b>our </b>profiles, they must see something in us.”
Although the RF Group seemed out of feach, it was worth a shot.
Who knows? Maybe we’d get lucky.
Even if it didn’t work out, we had nothing to lose.
Soon, we heard the waiter’s voice from outside. “Right this way, please.”Content rights by N?velDr//ama.Org.
Then the door opened, and standing there, besides the waiter, was a tall young man who appeared to be in histe twenties. He had sharp, striking features and a hint of mixed heritage, giving off a sophisticated yet youthful vibe