Victoria's posture shifted almost imperceptibly, her chin lifting as she regarded the newcomer.
"Ah, Ricardo. How kind of you to join us."
The man, Ricardo, inclined his head.
"Lady Blackstone, always a pleasure."
Victoria's eyes glinted as she gestured towards Brandon.
"My brother, Brandon—new head of Blackstone Music Group."
Ricardo's eyes locked onto Brandon, a flicker of interest passing through them.
"Mr. Blackstone, it's an honor. Ricardo Martinez, Head of the FBI's Financial Crime Unit."
Brandon stood, extending his hand to Ricardo.
As their hands clasped, a jolt of realization surged through Brandon.
Victoria, this new elder sister of his, had orchestrated this entire meeting.
A surge of warmth filled his chest, touched by Victoria's silent support.
'She's been looking out for me this whole time,'
Brandon thought, glancing at his sister with newfound appreciation.
'This isn't just tea... This…'
The head of the FBI's Financial Crime Division, casually joining them for tea?
'Holy shit,' he thought, maintaining a composed exterior.
'The Blackstones have the even feds in their pocket.'
'How deep does this go?' Brandon wondered, his heart racing.
He recalled the opulent yacht party, the contraband in the auction, the casual disregard for laws that seemed to permeate the upper echelons of society.
Again and again he seemed to have underestimated his new family, this new world he had been shoved into.
The Blackstones weren't just rich - they were untouchable.
'We're not above the law,' Brandon realized with a mix of awe and trepidation.
'We dam near own it.'
The pieces fell into place. Julian, Derrick, and their corruption ring—Victoria was handing him the tools to dismantle it all in one swift stroke.
"Mr. Martinez," Brandon greeted, an inexplicable sense of calm wafted through his being, as if his body was telling him that he was above being nervous.
"I'm glad we could meet. I believe we have some matters of mutual interest to discuss."
Ricardo's grip was firm, his eyes sharp as they assessed Brandon.
"Indeed we do, Mr. Blackstone. Your sister mentioned you might have some... concerns about certain financial irregularities within your company."
"Please, Ricardo, seat," Victoria said, her tone polite but carrying an undercurrent of authority.
Ricardo settled into a chair, his movements controlled and deliberate.
A waiter materialized, placing a cup of steaming coffee before him without a word.
Victoria's eyes flicked between Brandon and Ricardo, the slight smile on her lips not quite reaching the cold sharpness in her gaze.
"I thought it might be beneficial for you two to meet, given my brother's new position."
Ricardo nodded, his fingers drumming lightly on the table.
"Indeed. The music industry can be... complex. It's always good to have friends in the right places. And I will always be a loyal friend to the Blackstones"
Brandon nodded, "Your loyalty is appreciated."
Ricardo leaned forward, his eyes darting briefly to Victoria.
"So how may I be of service, Mr. Blackstone?"
His voice was polite, but Brandon noticed the slight tension in his shoulders as he glanced at Victoria.
Brandon took a deep breath.
"We've uncovered some concerning practices within BMG's A&R department. There's evidence of bribery, and we suspect the CEO might be involved. I want to make a statement, set a new tone for the company."
Ricardo's eyebrows raised slightly.
"I see. Do you have any concrete evidence? If not, perhaps I could... assist in obtaining some?"
Brandon's mind raced.
'Is he offering to fabricate evidence for us?'
The implications were staggering, but his body remained composed and poised.
"That won't be necessary," Brandon replied smoothly.
"I'll gather the evidence myself and inform you when it's time to act."
Ricardo opened his mouth to respond, but Victoria cut in sharply.
"Be at the BMG headquarters at noon tomorrow with your team. Brandon will have the evidence ready by then."
Brandon's eyes widened, 'Tomorrow?! How am I supposed to—'
Before Brandon could voice his concerns, Victoria rose gracefully from her seat, extending her perfectly manicured hand to Ricardo.
Her eyes glinted with a dangerous intensity that made Brandon's skin crawl.
"Thank you for your time, Ricardo. I trust we'll have no problems clearing out the filth?"
Her voice dripped with honeyed venom.
As they shook hands, Victoria's expression morphed into something truly grim, a mask of cold fury that sent a shiver down Brandon's spine.
"I'm sure you know what to do with scum who dare sully the Blackstone name?"
The threat in her words hung heavy in the air, suffocating in its intensity.
Ricardo's confident facade cracked, the color draining from his face as Victoria's words sank in.
He swallowed hard, his gaze darting away, unable to meet her eyes.
"O-Of course, Lady Blackstone," he said, lowering his head.
"They will be… appropriately… dealt with."
Brandon watched the exchange, fascinated by the subtle power play unfolding before him. Victoria's words hung in the air, heavy with unspoken threats.
Everything seemed so foreign yet familiar…
Ricardo cleared his throat, adjusting his tie.
"Mr. Blackstone, I assure you, we'll give this matter our full attention. The Bureau takes corruption very seriously."
Brandon watched as Ricardo was escorted away, his mind still reeling from the intensity of the encounter.
'Takes corruption very seriously huh… The irony…'
Brandon was still processing the entire encounter when a familiar, energetic voice shattered the tension like glass.
"B!"
Bailey bounded towards their table, her silver hair with its distinctive purple streak bouncing with each step.
Velaria followed close behind, her expression as impassive as ever.
Brandon blinked, the tension from the meeting still buzzing in the back of his mind.
"B? What're you doing here?"
Bailey's cheerful demeanor vanished in an instant.
*Thud!*
She punched Brandon's arm, her face scrunching up in indignation.
"And you have the face to ask?! How can you have tea with Vikky without inviting me?!"
Victoria's stern voice cut through the air.
"Keep it down. And don't call me Vikky."
Despite her stern words, there was an unmistakable warmth in her eyes as she regarded her younger sister.
"Sorry, B," Brandon said, rubbing his arm.
"We're here on serious business."
Bailey crossed her arms and turned away with a dramatic
"Hmph!"
Victoria shook her head, a small smile playing on her lips.
"What am I going to do with the two of you?"
She turned to Bailey, patting her head lovingly.
"Bailey's actually here for you, Brandon…"
"Go on, pass it to him."
Brandon looked between his sisters, confusion etched across his handsome features. His brow furrowed as he tried to make sense of the cryptic exchange.
"Ahem, what're you girls talking about?"