er's

ther business arrangement-a m

eved i

ved in

ll, I believe

t target and sentiment clouded

nhattan's skyline-chaotic, yet elegant when view

ce. He threw a torn manila folder on my desk. Inside: files on pote

ng a glass of Macallan. The amber li

ix months or Victoria and her al

mery Industries, he was the only one I trusted. We'd been

" he insisted. "Challenge the

andfather was

ate venture. He believed only married men were fit to

age like a corporate acquisitio

in love in six months? So

just don't want you m

jaw tighten. I turned to the windows, b

granddaughter. He and my grandfather had built Montgomery Industries together. When Co

dia outlet. "Merger of the Century," they c

ful acquisition. "A merger would make sense," I said.

ike a blade. "How

focused on consolidating our assets. Then came the Archer Technologies dea

y leaked. Victoria had accessed my p

n Corp. came in with

ould've had to triple my offer and destroy our reputation. I walked

t, I conf

hy

Just poured champagn

said. "I wanted to see if you

t mutually

g close. "You're marrying me, Xa

abotag

." She touched my jaw. "You want to co

dn't erase her from the board, much as I want

ng words

hen I own Montgomery Industries, I'll frame yo

his throat, sn

ck to my desk. "I need someone with no industry ties. So

ne desperate,"

ile was filled with data-financial burdens, weaknesses, pressure

one outside this

ke

resources. Someone in need

itically praised but financially struggling fashion label. They were th

esigner?" Ja

cials. "Student debt, sister in med

ame. Both parents had died five years ag

e data. "You did

nancial situation, and her studio's in the

sing their ren

ty. That's

rds. Loyal clientele, no romantic entanglements. Chinese-American. Strong credit u

but striking. High cheekbones, sharp jaw, dark, resolute eyes

ld be for the market. There was a unique vision, a good artistic voice, but poor commercial application. If everything aligned, her label

the charity gala

n't a merger. You're pulling som

e benefits. Five million dollars,

eep your i

deal. Defined terms. Mut

meet her first. See if

igns. Flowing fabrics, clever structu

e seen before. Raw talent with no r

, studied it then pulled out