Isabella Sterling arrived at Blackwood Estate at eleven the following morning.
She stepped out of her car wearing a fitted navy-blue dress, a light coat, and elegant heels. Her chestnut-brown hair rested neatly over her shoulders, and her hazel eyes immediately began examining the mansion.
Davis waited at the entrance.
"You came."
She raised an eyebrow.
"You invited me."
"I wasn't sure whether you'd find the time."
"Please. I'm the acting director of Sterling International, not the queen of an imaginary kingdom. I can rearrange my schedule."
Davis smiled.
"Then welcome to my family's home."
Isabella glanced toward the grand entrance.
"Your house is beautiful."
"It's been in my family for generations."
"And yet you didn't grow up here?"
"No. After my parents died, everything changed."
Her playful expression softened.
"I'm sorry."
Davis nodded.
"Thank you."
He led her inside.
They walked through the entrance hall, the drawing room, and the long eastern corridor before reaching the family archive.
Isabella stopped at the threshold.
"This is where you've been investigating?"
"Yes."
She stepped inside carefully, examining the shelves and old documents.
"It feels like a museum."
"That's because half the things here haven't been touched in years."
Davis showed her the photograph of the four founding partners.
Isabella studied it.
"Your father knew my grandfather."
"Did he?"
"Yes. I've seen photographs of them together at business events."
She pointed at Victor Ashford.
"And that's Victoria's father."
"Correct."
Then her gaze moved to Malcolm Voss.
"I've heard of him. He's a powerful investor. People say he rarely appears in public unless something important is happening."
"He called me last night."
Isabella turned sharply.
"What?"
"He warned me to stop investigating the past."
Her expression changed.
"That isn't a good sign."
"No."
Davis explained the documents Victoria had provided, the missing financial records, and the discovery of Project Eclipse.
Isabella listened without interrupting.
When he finished, she folded her arms.
"You realize what this means, don't you?"
"That my family's collapse may have been deliberately engineered?"
"That, and something else. If the Meridian Consortium is involved, this isn't simply a dispute between two old business partners. Meridian has connections across multiple industries. If you uncover evidence of wrongdoing, people with a great deal to lose may try to discredit you."
Davis smiled faintly.
"You're making this sound almost dangerous."
"Because it is dangerous."
She stepped closer.
"Davis, I know you're determined to find the truth. I'm not asking you to abandon that. But please don't confuse courage with refusing to protect yourself."
He looked at her for a long moment.
"You're worried about me."
"Don't sound so pleased with yourself."
"I can't help it."
She rolled her eyes.
"You are impossible."
"And yet you came."
Isabella tried to maintain a serious expression, but a smile escaped her.
"Unfortunately, I seem to have developed a weakness for impossible men."
Davis laughed.
For a few minutes, the atmosphere between them felt light again.
Then his phone rang.
Elena's name appeared on the screen.
"Excuse me," he said.
He answered the call.
"What's wrong?"
"We've received a response from the independent valuation team," Elena said. "The Ardencrest portfolio is broadly consistent with our estimated value. However, the legal review has uncovered a clause in the financing agreement that could complicate the acquisition."
"What clause?"
"Meridian has a right of first refusal under certain circumstances. If Ardencrest defaults, Meridian can nominate a buyer for the secured properties before the assets are sold to another party."
Davis frowned.
"Does that mean they can block our acquisition?"
"Not necessarily. The clause's enforceability depends on the circumstances of the sale. Our lawyers are reviewing it."
"Keep me updated."
"I will. There's also a development you may find interesting. The owner of a competing investment firm has asked for a meeting with you."
"Who?"
Davis paused.
He recognized the name.
Celeste Laurent was the thirty-year-old founder of Laurent Strategic Group, an investment company known for buying distressed businesses and transforming them into profitable enterprises.
She had built a reputation as one of Aurelion City's most formidable businesswomen.
And according to financial publications, she rarely pursued an opportunity without a clear reason.
"What does she want?"
"She says she wants to discuss a joint venture."
"With Blackwood Capital?"
"Specifically with you."
Davis glanced at Isabella.
She had heard the name and was watching him with a carefully neutral expression.
"Arrange a meeting," Davis said. "But make sure we know what she's proposing before we agree to anything."
"Understood."
He ended the call.
Isabella turned toward the window.
"Celeste Laurent."
"You know her?"
"Everyone in the business community knows her."
"Good reputation?"
"Excellent reputation. Terrifying negotiating skills. An impressive track record. And a habit of getting what she wants."
Davis smiled.
"That sounds promising."
"It should sound like a warning."
"Why?"
Isabella faced him.
"Because Celeste doesn't approach people merely because she finds them interesting. She approaches them when she sees an opportunity to gain something."
"Then we'll find out what she wants."
Isabella studied him.
"You're not worried?"
"Should I be?"
"Not necessarily."
She paused.
"But you should know that Celeste has a reputation for mixing business with pleasure whenever she believes it will help her achieve a goal."
Davis's eyebrows rose.
"Are you warning me about a businesswoman or a romantic rival?"
Isabella's cheeks warmed slightly.
"Don't flatter yourself."
"I didn't say you were jealous."
"I'm not jealous."
"Of course not."
"Davis."
"Yes?"
"If you keep smiling like that, I'll leave."
He laughed.
She tried to look annoyed, but her lips betrayed her.
After a moment, Isabella reached for his hand.
"I'm serious about you," she said quietly. "I know we've only just begun getting to know each other, and I'm not asking you to make promises you aren't ready to make."
Davis's smile faded into something gentler.
"I know."
"But I don't want to become another person you keep around because she's useful."
He looked directly into her eyes.
"You aren't useful to me, Isabella."
She frowned.
"That came out badly."
He squeezed her hand.
"I mean that I don't measure you by what you can do for my business. I enjoy being with you because you're you. You challenge me, you make me laugh, and you tell me when I'm being an idiot."
"Which is frequently."
"Apparently."
Her expression softened.
"Then let's keep it that way."
He lifted her hand and kissed her knuckles.
"Agreed."
For a brief moment, the world outside the archive seemed to disappear.
Then Isabella leaned forward and kissed him.
It was gentle, familiar, and filled with the promise of something neither wanted to rush.
When she drew back, Davis rested his forehead against hers.
"I think," he murmured, "that I'm going to enjoy getting to know you."
"Good," she whispered. "Because I'm not making it easy."
"Wouldn't want you to."
That afternoon, Davis met Celeste Laurent at the top-floor restaurant of the Meridian Crown Hotel.
The irony of the location did not escape him.
The hotel was owned by a company with historical links to Meridian's investment network.
But the meeting had been arranged in a public place, and Elena had confirmed that the restaurant's ownership was unrelated to the proposed transaction.
Davis arrived on time.
Celeste was already seated near the windows.
She was an elegant woman with dark auburn hair, sharp brown eyes, and a composed smile that suggested she was accustomed to getting her way.
She wore a tailored charcoal suit and a simple gold necklace.
When Davis approached, she rose.
"Ms. Laurent."
"Please, call me Celeste."
"Only if you call me Davis."
She smiled.
"I suspect we may get along."
They sat.
After the waiter left, Celeste folded her hands on the table.
"I'll be direct. I want to partner with Blackwood Capital on the Ardencrest acquisition."
Davis regarded her thoughtfully.
"Why?"
"Because the portfolio is undervalued, the technology park has enormous potential, and I believe your company has the resources to stabilize the assets."
"Your company has resources too."
"Certainly. But I don't believe in owning everything myself. Strategic partnerships can create more value than competition."
"That's a very generous philosophy."
"It's also profitable."
Davis smiled.
"Now we're getting somewhere."
Celeste opened a folder and placed several documents before him.
She proposed that Laurent Strategic Group contribute a minority portion of the acquisition financing in exchange for a share of the technology park's operating company.
The arrangement was commercially plausible.
But Davis noticed that her proposal contained a clause granting Laurent Strategic Group significant influence over future decisions concerning HelixCore Technologies.
"Why do you want control over the technology park's management?" he asked.
"I don't want control. I want protection for my investment."
"Then why does the clause allow your company to appoint two additional directors if certain financial targets are missed?"
"Because I don't intend to invest hundreds of millions without safeguards."
"Neither do I."
Celeste laughed softly.
"I was told you were difficult to negotiate with."
"Who told you?"
"Someone who lost money trying."
"Then they probably deserved to."
Her smile widened.
"Perhaps."
For the next hour, they discussed the deal in detail.
Davis found her intelligent, prepared, and refreshingly direct.
She challenged his assumptions and offered several useful observations about the technology park's future.
By the end of the meeting, he had not accepted her proposal, but he agreed to let his legal and financial teams review it.
As they stood to leave, Celeste studied him with open curiosity.
"May I ask you something personal?"
"That depends on the question."
"Are you seeing anyone?"
Davis paused.
It was a straightforward question, but he recognized that it was not entirely casual.
"I'm getting to know someone."
Celeste's expression remained composed.
"Someone important?"
"Yes."
She nodded.
"Then I'll have to make sure my business proposal is strong enough to interest you without relying on personal charm."
Davis laughed.
"I'd appreciate that."
She held out her hand.
"Until our next meeting, Davis."
He shook it.
"Until then, Celeste."
As he walked away, he received a message from Isabella.
Isabella: How was your meeting with the famous Celeste Laurent?
Davis smiled and typed:
Davis: Very productive. She wants to invest in Ardencrest.
A reply arrived almost immediately.
Isabella: And did she want anything else?
Davis chuckled.
Davis: She asked whether I was seeing anyone.
There was a pause.
Then:
Isabella: And what did you say?
Davis typed carefully.
Davis: I told her I was getting to know someone important.
This time, Isabella's reply took longer.
Finally, his screen lit up.
Isabella: Good answer, Mr. Blackwood.
A second message followed.
Isabella: You may keep your appointment with me tomorrow.
Davis laughed aloud.
For the first time in a long while, he felt that his life contained something beyond money, power, and revenge.
He had someone he wanted to return to.
And that made the stakes of everything else feel considerably higher.