The air that greeted us as we stepped off the private jet in Verrine was different. It wasn't the charged, ambitious atmosphere of Riverbend Republic, thick with the scent of ozone and opportunity. This was clean, carrying the sweet, green scent of damp earth and distant blossoms, all of it washed by a cool, refreshing breeze.
"The air here is a refreshing breeze, isn't it?" I said, taking a deep, appreciative breath as I looked around. The city of Verrine was nestled on the edge of a massive, shimmering lake, its waters so clear they mirrored the sky perfectly.
Nari stood beside me, a picture of serene elegance against the lush, natural backdrop. "It's because we're on the bank of a very large lake," she stated simply, though I could see a flicker of genuine appreciation in her usually analytical grey eyes.
Allison, who had been quiet for most of the flight, looked around with wide, almost childlike wonder. "Mr. Wilson," she said, her voice a soft, timid whisper. "The air… it's really very sweet and clean."
Bella, however, was less impressed by the scenery. She stood with her arms crossed, her posture radiating a familiar, impatient energy. "Boss," she said, her voice a low, husky sound that was a direct, unapologetic challenge. "Where are we going?"
"From here," I said, turning to face her, "we're going directly to meet the Roux sisters in their office."
Nari gestured towards the tarmac, where a familiar, gleaming black convoy was waiting for us. "Our convoy is waiting. Let's go."
I just nodded, and the four of us settled into the plush leather interior of the lead limousine. The silence in the car was heavy, a mixture of anticipation and the lingering tension from our last encounter in Triveria. I decided to address it head-on.
"Bella, Allison," I began, my voice calm and even. "For the next few days, you will be by our side. Consider it an observation period. Your only job is to watch, to listen, and to study how we operate."
Allison gave a small, timid nod, her gaze fixed on her hands, which were twisting nervously in her lap. Bella, however, met my gaze directly, her dark, intelligent eyes full of a grudging, resentful respect. "Yes, Boss," she said, the single word a clear, defiant statement: I am here because I have to be, not because I want to be.
I got it. She was still reluctant. I let a small, easy smile touch my lips and turned to Nari. The real game was about to begin.
"So, what's the plan, Adam?" Nari asked, her own voice all business now. "As we know, the Roux sisters don't have any scandals, no shady business. They're already at the pinnacle of their careers. Everyone is dying to get a session from them. We don't have any leverage."
"Very good," I said, a slow, confident grin spreading across my face. "You're right. They don't have any scandals we can use. That's absolutely fantastic."
She looked at me, her brow furrowed in genuine confusion. She was quiet for a moment, her brilliant mind processing the apparent contradiction. Then, her eyes lit up with a dawning understanding. "You mean…"
I just nodded.
"You're going to tell them they're not at the pinnacle," she finished for me, a slow, dangerous smile of her own now gracing her lips. "And then you're going to promise them the absolute pinnacle. Am I right?"
"And that's why I love you, Nari," I said, my voice a low, appreciative hum. "You get everything before I even have to say it. But that's not the only thing. We're also going to use their frantic dedication to their passion."
She smiled at me then, a genuine, beautiful expression of shared, ruthless ambition. It was the smile of a true partner, a true queen. We spent the rest of the drive dissecting our plan, our conversation a low, strategic murmur against the quiet hum of the engine. Allison and Bella just watched us, their own minds a whirlwind of conflicting thoughts.
What the hell are they saying? Bella's internal voice screamed. Are they really younger than us? But their minds… they're so cunning, so genius. How can a boy and a girl who can't be more than twenty create such a perfect, terrifying plan?
Allison's thoughts were simpler, softer. I'm just admiring them. They're always on the same phase, they know each other so personally. They're a really perfect couple.
After a short drive through the beautiful, harmonious city of Verrine, we arrived. The headquarters of 'Roux Soeurs' was a masterpiece of modern architecture, a gleaming tower of glass and white marble that seemed to rise from the earth like a natural crystal formation. We both came to an agreement before we even stepped out of the car.
"Nari," I said, my voice all business now. "You take Allison and Bella with you. Handle Annelise Roux. I'll handle the other one."
She gave me a single, curt nod, her own expression a mask of cool, analytical focus. "Okay. Let's move on. We need them."
And with that, we split up, two different fronts in the same quiet, elegant war.
(Nari's Perspective)
I walked into the lobby of Roux Soeurs, Allison and Bella trailing a respectful step behind me like two new, untested subordinates. The air inside was cool and sterile, smelling of expensive floral arrangements and the faint, chemical scent of ambition. A polite but firm young man in a sharp suit led us to a private elevator, which whisked us silently to the top floor.
We were shown into an office that was more a minimalist art gallery than a workspace. The walls were a stark, gallery white, the furniture a collection of sharp, modern angles in black and chrome. And in the center of it all, a woman who was a work of art herself.
Annelise Roux was a vision of elegant, sharp-edged power. Her platinum blonde hair was cut into a sleek, impossibly straight style that framed a face of high cheekbones and a strong jaw. Her hazel eyes, the color of warm, aged whiskey, were sharp and intelligent, missing nothing. She was in her late twenties, but she carried herself with the confidence of a woman who had been in control her entire life. She stood as we entered, a polite, practiced smile on her lips.
"Good morning, Miss Han," she said, her voice a smooth, confident sound that held no trace of surprise. "We are really grateful for your gracious presence."
"It's our pleasure to get to meet you, Miss Roux," I replied, my own voice a carefully crafted melody of politeness and power.
She gestured to a low, black leather couch, and we all sat. She gave a single, almost imperceptible signal to one of her assistants, and in moments, the room was empty, save for the four of us.
"So, Miss Han," Annelise began, her gaze direct and unwavering. "May I have permission to know the reason why a retired Colonel's daughter is willing to come all this way to meet me?"
She's done her homework, I thought, a flicker of genuine respect cutting through my own strategic calculations. Good. This will be more interesting.
"It looks like Miss Roux has done her background check," I said, my own smile matching hers. "So, I also will not beat around the bush. I have a proposal for you."
Before I could continue, she held up a delicate, perfectly manicured hand. "We are not interested in any partnership," she said, her voice still polite, but with an undercurrent of steel. "We are already doing very well. And moreover, working with some school students who have just started recently… Miss Han, you are wasting both your time and mine."
I listened, my expression a mask of calm, serene patience. I had expected this. She was a tough nut to crack. But I wasn't here to play games.
I am not backing off, my own internal voice said, a cold, hard echo of my own ambition. I don't want someone else to just give me my birthright as charity. I will win the Han group. If I can't even win her, then I should just give up on my dream.
"You are right about most of that," I said, my voice a calm, reasonable counterpoint to her dismissal. "It's true we are a recent startup. We are indeed high schoolers. And a giant like you indeed has no reason to help us. But you are wrong about a few things."
She looked at me then, a flicker of genuine curiosity in her sharp, hazel eyes. That's what I wanted. "What?" she asked.
"You are wrong about the fact that in business, there is an age limit," I began, my voice gaining a new, persuasive power. "We don't need to tell you about our miracles; you've probably heard the rumors about Phoenix Capital Group."
"What is the proof that the rumors are true?" she shot back instantly. "Do you have proof?"
"Let's say I don't," I replied, my smile widening. "But I ask you, do you have proof to say that the rumors are wrong?"
She went silent, a small, almost imperceptible tightening of her jaw the only sign that my words had hit their mark. I pressed my advantage.
"And I also heard that Miss Annelise has a desire to reach the pinnacle," I continued, my voice a low, seductive hum. "But I don't see you at the pinnacle."
A flash of pure, unadulterated fury crossed her face. I had insulted her, and that was exactly what I had intended to do. "Your competitors are working in the background," I said, my voice dropping to a conspiratorial whisper. "Some are using cheap methods and scandals to ruin the name of Roux Soeurs. It has failed so far, because no one can tarnish the image of a six-year legacy, and you have brutally subdued your enemies. But there is a saying: an injured lion is very dangerous. They are coming. For one year, yes, there has not been much effect. But what about next year? Or the year after that? Don't you want to reach the real pinnacle, from which no one can ever chase you down?"
I could see a new, calculating light in her eyes. I had her. She was a queen on a throne, and I had just shown her the cracks in its foundation. "Okay," she said, her voice a low, cautious murmur. "What you are saying makes sense. But still, working with you is not acceptable. Give me a single reason to work with you." She leaned back, a smug smirk on her face.
"Why one?" I said, my own smile matching hers. "I can give you three." I held up a single, elegant finger. "First, you know that Phoenix Capital Group is an investment firm that has promised its clients a five-hundred-percent return."
"Yes," she said, her smirk faltering slightly.
"That is because we have our wildcard, our Chairperson, Adam Wilson," I explained. "Thus, we will never be short on money." I held up a second finger. "Second, we are creating a new brand, 'Allure,' under the name of the world-famous supermodel, Christine Holmes."
She looked genuinely amazed. "Do you know Christine Holmes? The same Christine Holmes who made three hat-tricks in her career, winning the best model award nine times in just ten years, without a single scandal?"
"Yes," I said, enjoying the look of shock on her face. "That very person. And not just her. We have many other famous models and actresses working for us." I held up my third and final finger. "And third, the Sterling triplets are working for us, after five years of exile."
That was the final blow. She was completely astonished. "Hmm," she breathed. "Now that's amazing. To have the best designers." She looked at me, a new, profound respect in her eyes. "What do you say?" I asked.
"Okay," she said, a slow, calculated smile returning to her lips. "I am willing to work with you. But on one condition."
"What is it?" I asked.
"The Sun-eater Orchid," she said, her voice a cool, simple statement of fact. "I want it. It is important for our next world-famous product line. We are researching old cosmetic methods. Can you find it?"
I knew what she was doing. The Sun-eater Orchid was a myth, a legend. It was said to be extinct. This wasn't a condition; it was a polite, elegant, and utterly final rejection. My mind raced, trying to find another way, another angle. But there was none. I was trapped.
And then, a small, timid voice broke the silence.
"Miss Nari," Allison whispered, her voice a fragile, hopeful sound. "I know where that flower grows. I can find it."
The words were a lifeline, a miracle. I turned to Annelise, a slow, triumphant smile on my face. "Now, what do you say?"
She looked from Allison's sincere, hopeful face to my own confident one. "Are you really sure you can find it?"
"Yes," I said, my voice ringing with an absolute, unshakeable certainty.
She stood up then and extended a hand towards me. "I hope for a happy cooperation," she said.
I took her hand, my own grip. And thought, here comes another important player on our side.