The first course arrived, served on polished silver trays. The soft clink of cutlery and low hum of conversation filled the room. A wine waiter poured wine into crystal glasses, handing one to each guest.
"Shall we?" Damian said, lifting his glass to Selena.
Selena smiled, brushing her fingers lightly against his arm as she took the glass. "To new opportunities," she said, her voice calm, yet teasing.
Lucian's sharp eyes followed the gesture. He raised his own glass. "To lucidity and collaboration," he said, his tone smooth and controlled.
Viviane sat slightly to the side, notebook in hand, observing silently. Every glance, every subtle movement, she recorded, her pen scratching quietly on the page. Her eyes flicked between Selena and Lucian.
The glasses was filled with wine, and the conversation naturally moved on.
"So," Lucian began, leaning slightly forward, "I've reviewed the documents Ethan prepared. Damian, your company has grown impressively in a short time. Securing deals with established companies so quickly is not easy."
Damian nodded, voice confident. "Thank you. We've focused on precision and strategy. Every project is carefully studied."
Selena interjected smoothly, her tone professional. "And we're always looking for ways to expand responsibly. Partnerships must make sense for both sides, not just the immediate gain."
Lucian's gaze stayed on her briefly, noticing the careful balance in her words: confidence without arrogance, influence without exposure.
"Interesting," he said, swirling the wine in his glass. "Selena, your input is sharp. I assume you've had a significant role in these decisions?"
Selena tilted her head slightly, eyes steady. "I ensure our strategies are effective and forward-looking. Damian and I work closely on every major move, but I also focus on identifying potential risks and opportunities."
Lucian's lips curved into a faint, almost imperceptible smile. "Good. That is precisely the kind of insight I value."
Viviane's eyes narrowed slightly, taking in Selena's composure and confidence. She scribbled notes rapidly, every word, every gesture. Her obsession with Lucian troubled her, but she reminded herself: observe, record, remain professional.
The meal continued, elegantly served, each course accompanied by conversation. Lucian skillfully guided the discussion, checking for weaknesses and testing their responses, while Damian maintained his calm control and Selena subtly positioned herself as an equal partner.
As dessert was placed on the table, Lucian leaned back slightly, studying them both. "It seems our first meeting will be productive," he said, his voice smooth but carrying an unspoken challenge.
Selena's eyes flicked briefly toward Viviane, noticing her tension, and then back to Lucian. The dance of observation, power, and subtle influence had only just begun.
Lucian nodded, circling his wine thoughtfully. "Good. And the expected profit?"
Selena placed a hand on one of the charts, her posture confident. "Based on market research and similar resorts in the region, a conservative estimate is 18–20% return over five years. We've also built backup plans for delays, cost overruns, and unexpected rules, including flexible seller agreements and step by step financing."
Lucian's eyes sharpened. "Plan B is often overlooked. Your risk decrease is precise."
Damian shot Selena a subtle smile of acknowledgment. "She ensures we never rely solely on predictions".
"I focus on actions; Selena focuses on variables the numbers can't represent."
Selena leaned in slightly. "And we account for human factors. Staff training, guest experience, and local community engagement are as important as financial strategy—they define long-term stability and reputation."
Lucian's lips curved into a faint, approving smile. "Impressive. Strategy, risk, and execution… exactly the elements I want to see. Selena, your role seems essential."
Viviane, seated quietly to the side, scribbled rapidly in her notepad, noting every gesture, every word, every glance. Yet even as she focused on observation, her thoughts briefly wandered to that night with Lucian, the memory sending a flicker of heat through her chest.
Selena caught a brief glance between Lucian and Viviane but stayed natural. She had a plan—to assert her capability and to show her value, ensuring Lucian recognized her mind as much as her presence.
Lucian continued, setting the tone for the evening. "We'll need detailed proposals for Avaris Island—design, phased construction, risk analysis, and projected revenue. I'll arrange a site visit. This will allow you to assess the island directly and refine the strategy. I expect clear communication, proactive reporting, and productive solutions."
Selena nodded, calm and confident. "We'll prepare everything for your review. On-site assessment will allow us to provide realistic, actionable plans."
Damian added, "And we'll coordinate timelines and resources efficiently. Every step will be carefully documented."
Lucian leaned back slightly, swirling his glass. "Good. Tonight was about understanding your approach, your competence, and your judgment. I'm pleased so far. The Avaris Island project has potential—if done correctly."
The meal continued with professional discussion—financial models, sellers selections, staffing strategies, and estimated timelines.
And through it all, a silent game of observation unfolded: Lucian analyzing, Selena positioning herself strategically, Damian steady, and Viviane recording everything, caught between duty and obsession.
Selena pushed back her chair slightly, her movements graceful, controlled. "Excuse me for a moment. I'd like to use the bathroom," she said, her voice calm but carrying a subtle undertone of command.
Lucian rose from his seat immediately, his sharp eyes tracking her every move. "I'll show you the way," he said smoothly, his tone polite but staked with an unspoken awareness.
Selena met his gaze, her lips curving into a faint, knowing smile. Just a quick detour… let's see how this plays out, she thought.
Damian, meanwhile, was focused in conversation with Ethan, discussing a set of documents. He didn't notice the exchange between Lucian and Selena, entirely unaware of the small game she was initiating.
Lucian inclined his head slightly. "Shall we?"
Selena allowed him to lead the way, her eyes steady. He thinks he's guiding me… but he doesn't know what I have in mind.
As they walked through the dimly lit hallway, every step measured, the tension between them was raw—her curiosity, his control, and Damian completely unaware of the undercurrent of strategy Selena was drifting towards Lucian.
Selena stepped away from the table, her heels clicking softly against the floor. She let her movements appear slightly unsteady, acting as if she had lost control, a faint shiver running through her.
Lucian's eyes narrowed instantly. He moved quickly to her side, his hand firm on her arm to steady her. "Careful," he murmured, his voice low and commanding.
Her gaze lifted to his, locking with his piercing eyes. She let herself look slowly into his eyes letting the moment stretch, an intentional play of attraction.
Lucian's eyes flicked down briefly to her lips, then back to her eyes, voice dropping into a seductive whisper. "Oh… you like this, don't you?"
Selena's lips curved into a teasing smile.
"Maybe… but only a little," she replied.
Lucian's expression darkened slightly, his intensity glowing.
"Be careful," he warned, his hand still holding her gently. "You don't want to see my rage."
Selena's smile widened, eyes glinting with challenge.
"I want to see it… one day. But only when we are alone," she said, her voice dripping with seduction.
Before she could step away, Lucian's grip on her tightened just slightly, and in one swift motion, he pressed her against the wall. "You are playing with fire," he said, his lips dangerously close to hers, his eyes burning with desire and warning.
Selena tilted her head slightly, letting her gaze linger on him.
"Then let's see who burns first," she whispered, her words teasing, confident, and completely intentional.
Lucian pressed Selena gently against the wall, his presence strong, his eyes dark and intent.
Selena leaned into him slightly, her gaze locking with his. "Come closer," she whispered, her voice low, deliberate. Her eyes drifted to his lips, seductive and teasing.
Lucian's eyes widened at the invitation. He reached out, brushing his fingers lightly over her lips.
"There's plenty of use for these lips besides eating," he murmured, his voice rough with desire.
Selena's lips curved into a faint, knowing smile. Without hesitation, she slid her hands to his trouser belt and held him firmly, pushing him toward her.
Her voice dropped to an innocent, playful tone, eyes still on his lips. "What you said… you'll discover it one day," she murmured softly, the words almost childlike in delivery, but loaded with intention.
Lucian's chest tightened, a sharp heat rising through him. He stared at her, caught between desire and warning, aware that she knew exactly what she was doing—and that she was daring him to lose control.
Lucian leaned back slightly, his gaze lingering on Selena longer than necessary, his thoughts still caught on the hallway tension. Then he cleared his throat, shifting his focus to business.