Aurora arrived at the office earlier than usual, wanting enough time to prepare before the meeting.
The meeting with Ravencrest Holdings was scheduled for ten.
By nine-thirty, she had reviewed the proposal one final time, making sure she was familiar with every detail before the discussion began.
A knock sounded at the door.
Her assistant stepped inside.
"Mr. Blake has arrived."
Aurora closed the folder.
"Send him in."
A moment later, the door opened and a man stepped inside.
He was professionally dressed and carried himself with the quiet confidence of someone accustomed to important negotiations.
"Miss Aurora."
"Mr. Blake."
They shook hands.
"Thank you for meeting with me."
"Thank you for the proposal."
Mr. Blake took the seat opposite her. Aurora remained standing for another moment before taking her own seat.
"I've reviewed everything," she said, looking at him intently.
"I'm glad."
"I have questions."
"I expected that."
A faint smile touched Aurora's lips.
"Good."
She opened the folder.
"Let's start with the project."
For the next several minutes, Aurora questioned him about nearly every aspect of the deal, from funding and construction to timelines, potential risks, expected returns and the responsibilities of both companies.
Mr. Blake answered each question carefully.
Aurora watched him as he spoke.
He was prepared.
She respected that.
"You've done your research," he remarked.
"I always do."
"I can see that."
Aurora turned another page.
"There's one thing I don't understand."
"What?"
"Why us?"
Mr. Blake paused for a moment.
"Your company has an excellent reputation."
"That's not an answer."
A faint smile crossed his face.
"No. It's part of the answer."
Aurora waited.
"We're looking for a company with a strong reputation, a proven record and someone willing to make difficult decisions."
"And you believe that's me?"
"We do."
Aurora leaned back slightly.
"Why?"
"Because you've built something impressive."
She studied him carefully.
He didn't sound as though he was trying to flatter her.
That was unusual.
Most people who wanted something from Aurora tried too hard to impress her. Mr. Blake simply stated his opinion and left it there.
"What happens if I reject the proposal?"
"Then we find another partner."
His answer was immediate and straightforward.
Aurora appreciated that.
"And if I accept?"
"We move forward."
"Simple."
"Business usually is."
Aurora smiled faintly.
"Not always."
"No."
He returned the smile.
For a moment, neither of them spoke.
Aurora closed the folder.
"I like the proposal."
Mr. Blake nodded.
"But I'm not signing today."
"I wouldn't expect you to."
"I want my legal team to review the final agreement."
"Of course."
"And I'd like the financial projections adjusted slightly."
"Which ones?"
Aurora pointed towards a section of the document.
"These."
He leaned forward and studied the figures.
"I'll have them revised."
"Good."
Mr. Blake stood, and Aurora rose with him.
"I'll send the updated terms by Friday."
"I'll look forward to them."
They shook hands once more.
"Thank you."
"Thank you."
He turned towards the door but paused before leaving.
"You've built something remarkable here."
Aurora looked at him.
"Thank you."
He gave a small nod before stepping out and closing the door behind him.
Aurora returned to her desk and looked down at the proposal.
It was a strong opportunity.
The terms needed some adjustments, but nothing that couldn't be negotiated.
A few minutes later, Amaya entered.
"Well?"
Aurora looked up.
"I think it's worth considering."
"That's good."
"Very."
"Do you think we'll accept?"
Aurora glanced at the documents in front of her.
"If the revised terms work, possibly."
Amaya nodded before returning to her work.
Aurora turned back to her laptop.
The discussion had gone smoothly. Mr. Blake had been professional, prepared and straightforward.
Exactly what she expected from someone representing a company like Ravencrest Holdings.
She made a few notes before setting the proposal aside.
There was still a lot to review before she made a final decision.
For now, that was all that mattered.
...
The underground parking lot was quieter than the streets above.
Adrian stepped into the back of a waiting car and closed the door behind him.
The driver glanced at him through the rear-view mirror.
"How did it go?"
"Well."
"She accepted?"
"Not yet."
The driver nodded.
"Will she?"
Adrian looked out through the window, watching the lights of the city pass across the glass.
"I think the meeting went well."
His phone vibrated.
He glanced at the screen.
A message had come through.
Mr. Voss: How did it go?
Adrian typed a brief response.
Adrian: Everything went smoothly.
The reply came almost immediately.
Mr. Voss: Good.
Adrian slipped his phone back into his pocket.
The car pulled out of the parking lot and disappeared into the busy streets of Eldlyria.
...
Back at the office, Aurora returned to her work.
There were still emails to answer, meetings to attend and decisions to make.
The Ravencrest proposal could wait until she had all the information she needed.
For now, it was simply another business opportunity.