[ Ritz Carlton Hotel ]
After a short ride from the BMG HQ to the Ritz Carlton, Brandon followed Gordon through the opulent lobby of the 5 star hotel, his eyes taking in the gleaming marble floors and crystal chandeliers.
A hotel manager, impeccably dressed in a tailored suit, greeted them with a deep bow.
"This way, gentlemen," the manager said, his voice smooth and refined.
As they walked past the bustling restaurant, Brandon leaned towards Gordon, his brow furrowed in confusion.
"Aren't we having tea? Why're we walking outdoors?"
Gordon's lips curved into a knowing smile.
"Remember, young master, there's always much more than meets the eye."
Befuddled, Brandon decided to just follow Gordon's lead.
They soon found themselves in a secluded garden, stepping into an elegant gazebo.
The hotel manager approached an ornate fixture on one of the pillars, revealing a hidden card slot and keypad.
Brandon watched, intrigued, as the manager slid a card into the slot and punched in a string of numbers.
*Beeep~*
A soft beep echoed through the air.
Suddenly, the square center of the gazebo's floor began to sink and slide away, revealing a classy flight of stairs descending into darkness.
At the bottom, Brandon could make out the outline of a door.
The hotel manager gestured politely for them to follow, leading the way down the stairs.
At the bottom, he opened the door and stepped aside, inviting Brandon and Gordon to enter with a respectful nod.
"Welcome to The Cove my honored guests."
Brandon's eyes widened as he stepped into the hidden underground restaurant.
The opulence was staggering—colossal chandeliers bathed the room in a golden glow, reflecting off the polished mahogany tables and the intricate Victorian carvings that adorned every wall.
Soft classical music drifted through the air, mingling with the gentle clink of fine china and muted conversations.
"Holy shi-"
Brandon caught himself, remembering where he was.
Velaria approached, her platinum blonde hair immaculate in its high ponytail.
She greeted Gordon with a respectful nod before turning to Brandon.
"Young Master, Lady Victoria is waiting."
Velaria bowed, her expression a mask of professional composure that hid the keen awareness in her ice-blue eyes.
She moved with the grace of someone who understood the gravity of every gesture, every word spoken in places like this.
Though she remained silent, Brandon couldn't help but feel that she was sizing him up
As Velaria led him across the restaurant, Brandon felt painfully aware of his casual attire.
Heads turned, curious glances following him as he passed tables of impeccably dressed elites.
His white T-shirt and jeans stood out like a beacon among the sea of tailored suits and designer dresses.
'Note to self: shopping spree. ASAP,' Brandon thought, fighting the urge to slouch.
They weaved through the tables, the soft carpet muffling their footsteps.
Brandon caught snippets of conversations about billion-dollar deals and underground exchanges.
"…Don't you have Senator… in your pocket…"
"2.6 billion … African mines…"
"Cartel… Drugs… Weapons…"
He straightened his posture, reminding himself that he belonged here now, regardless of his outfit.
Finally, they reached a secluded corner where Victoria sat, the picture of grace as she sipped her tea.
A tower of exquisite desserts adorned the table - delicate macarons, glossy fruit tarts, and what looked like gold-leaf covered chocolates.
Victoria's eyes flicked up, a mix of amusement and exasperation crossing her face as she took in Brandon's appearance.
"Ah, little brother. How kind of you to dress up for the occasion."
Brandon settled into the plush chair beside Victoria, his casual attire a stark contrast to her polished appearance. He grinned, unfazed by her pointed look.
"Cut me some slack, will ya? I didn't even know about this secret underground dungeon."
Victoria's eyes flicked to her phone, her fingers tapping out a rapid-fire text.
"Well, time is money. What is it you want from me?"
Brandon leaned back, a mischievous glint in his eye.
"Heh, pretend all you want, but I know you love me."
Victoria rolled her eyes, but the corner of her mouth twitched slightly.
Snagging a macaron, Brandon bit into it, savoring the delicate sweetness.
"I just haven't seen you in a long time. Thought we'd catch up."
He gestured towards Gordon, who stood beside Velaria, their heads bent in quiet conversation.
"And I wanted to thank you for Gordon."
Victoria's attention remained fixed on her phone, her brow furrowed in concentration.
"Hey," Brandon's voice softened, tinged with concern.
"No matter how busy you get, make sure you take care of your health, yeah?"
Victoria glanced up, momentarily caught off guard.
A small smile played on her lips.
"Oh? The little brat has learned to nag at his big sis now, has he?"
Brandon reached for the sapphire teapot.
A waitress stepped forward, but he waved her away, filling Victoria's cup himself.
"B and I are both grateful for your hard work, you know. If it weren't for you, we probably couldn't afford to fuck around like we have for the past 18 years."
Victoria's expression softened, a flicker of emotion passing across her face.
She placed a fruit tart on Brandon's plate, her voice stern but with an undercurrent of warmth.
"Watch your language."
She paused, then added,
"So... how's BMG treating ya'?"
Brandon leaned back in his chair, a heavy sigh escaping his lips.
For a moment, his confident facade cracked, revealing a glimpse of vulnerability.
He was once a star producer yes, but never a CEO.
"It's a shit hole, Vic. I've been thrown into the deep end with less than a week before NOA kicks off, and I can't shake the feeling that I'm in way over my head."
Victoria's mouth twisted into a shrewd grin.
She placed her china cup on the intricate saucer, pinning him with an incisive stare.
"You need to start thinking of yourself as a business entity, baby brother. Without clear direction and objectives, the whole enterprise will crumble. Identify the core issues and act decisively—hesitation is a luxury you can't afford."
Brandon couldn't help but chuckle, shaking his head in admiration.
"As scary as you are, I'm glad you're my sister."
He leaned forward, lowering his voice.
"I have an idea of what I'm gonna do, but it's gonna tear apart damn near half the company."
Victoria took a slow, deliberate sip of her tea, her eyes never leaving Brandon's face.
She set the cup down with a soft clink, her expression thoughtful.
"Sometimes, drastic measures are necessary for growth," she said, her voice steady and measured.
Victoria's eyes flicked towards Velaria.
A subtle nod passed between them, unspoken understanding flowing through the gesture.
Velaria turned gracefully, her platinum ponytail swinging as she moved with purpose through the restaurant.
Moments later, she returned, a stocky man with graying temples following close behind.