Inside the private room of Opus Prime, the atmosphere was thick with the scent of luxury. A circular table between Martin and Lucia was adorned with dishes that would make any connoisseur pause in awe—each plate a work of art, with flavors that matched the exquisite presentation.
Under the soft glow of the chandelier, neither seemed in a rush to discuss business. Instead, they quietly observed each other, their gazes meeting across the table.
Lucia leaned back slightly, her dark eyes studying Martin with an appreciative gleam. She had to admit, he looked incredibly handsome tonight.
His sleek, short black hair was perfectly groomed, and his pure black eyes had an intensity that drew her in.
His defined build, despite being mostly hidden under the expensive fabric of his tailored business suit, suggested discipline—something that Lucia admired in people.
For a moment, she found herself lost in thought, imagining how different Martin must have looked before entering this world of power and wealth. Now, he fit the part perfectly, almost too well.
On the other side of the table, Martin mirrored her silent admiration. Lucia was striking in her evening dress—elegant and graceful, yet bold with its low-cut jacket and the way it hugged her curves. Her flowing black hair framed her face like a veil, softening her features and giving her an air of sophistication.
As Martin took in her appearance, he couldn't help but think of Lydia Cross, his former boss. If Lydia hadn't left such a deep impression on him, he might not have noticed the uncanny resemblance between her and Lucia. It wasn't just their appearance—it was in the way they carried themselves, with confidence and purpose.
He briefly recalled the name on Lucia's card, the last name Cross, and realized they might be related. Perhaps sisters, though he wasn't entirely sure yet.
Shaking the thought from his mind, Martin turned his attention back to the present moment. He continued to admire the details of Lucia's dress, the way it shimmered under the lights, exuding both luxury and professionalism.
They both kept their silence, focusing on the dishes laid before them, enjoying each bite as they worked through the courses one by one.
For the next half-hour, the two of them indulged in the culinary wonders of Opus Prime, the waitstaff moving quietly to and from the table, replacing dishes and offering new ones. It wasn't until the final plates were cleared, and the beverages and desserts were served, that the true purpose of their meeting began to unfold.
Martin leaned slightly forward, his eyes now serious as he set down his glass. He had noticed how Lucia's gaze kept drifting toward the briefcase he had placed on the table earlier. The time had come to get down to business.
With deliberate movements, he opened the briefcase and retrieved the documents within. As he spread them out on the table, Lucia's curiosity was palpable.
"The Chairman's position is non-negotiable," Martin said, his voice calm but firm. "That's my bottom line."
Lucia expected that, but she wasn't about to let him take all the authority without a fight.
She leaned forward, her hands resting lightly on the table, and countered, "I'm not just here to be a figurehead, Martin. My family's success has given me deep roots in this world. I've been surrounded by businessmen and women since I was young. I understand how this world works."
Martin met her gaze, unwavering. "No one starts big, Lucia. If your family's influence was so great, you would've made a name for yourself by now. The fact is, this company's lifeblood will be investments and acquisitions. That's where my talent lies. Without that, the company doesn't grow. I have the qualifications to be Chairman."
The conversation shifted into a heated but respectful debate, both of them laying out their credentials. Lucia argued that her connections and experience made her invaluable to the company, while Martin emphasized that his ability to expand their holdings through strategic acquisitions made him indispensable.
After a long discussion, Martin finally laid out his offer. "You'll have full control over the CFO and CEO positions," Martin said, his voice resolute. "That's how much I trust you."
Lucia paused, considering his words. After a moment of reflection, she nodded in agreement. "Fine. I'll accept those terms."
They both paused for a moment, taking a sip of their cold beverages as they prepared to move on to the next agenda.
Martin retrieved a second set of documents from the briefcase, outlining the potential law and accounting firms they could outsource. However, Lucia quickly put her foot down on the matter.
"I'm not outsourcing those departments," she said firmly. "We'll hire new talent—fresh blood. I'll handle it. I have connections with many overlooked talents who are often overshadowed by their family's firstborns. We'll have interviews, and I'll personally scout the best for these roles."
Martin wasn't too attached to the idea of outsourcing, so he easily relented. "Fair enough. I'll leave that to you."
With that settled, they moved on to the final major point: the location of the company's headquarters. Once again, Lucia expressed her preference.
"The Horizon Business Complex is ideal. It's got everything we need to get started," she said confidently.
Martin was surprised. Horizon had been the first on Sarah's recommendation list as well. Perhaps it was no coincidence. The complex had clearly left a strong impression on those who had visited.
After some back-and-forth, both Lucia and Martin found themselves enjoying the discussion. They had disagreed on several points, but their mutual respect and understanding kept the conversation productive.
As the night wore on, Lucia pulled out her laptop and began drafting a contract for their partnership. Her fingers flew across the keyboard, and soon the document began to take shape. The most heated part of the discussion came when they debated the distribution of shares.
Martin, naturally, argued for a higher share, emphasizing his talent in acquisitions, while Lucia pushed for more shares on her end, stating her long-term contributions as CFO and CEO. They went back and forth—70/30, 60/40, 80/20—but in the end, Martin's argument proved too strong.
The final agreement: 80% of the shares for Martin, and 20% for Lucia. Lucia's share would eventually branch into a separate headquarters, focusing on local development, while Martin would take his majority and expand into other provinces, even the international market.
Lucia finally relented, not because of the numbers, but because of Martin's grand vision. She could see the ambition in his eyes, and it excited her. "Alright," she said, leaning back with a satisfied smile. "You've convinced me."
After a pause, Lucia's eyes twinkled with curiosity. "Now, what will you name the company?"
Martin thought for a moment, then began listing off a few names. "I was thinking of something like…"
- Prime Holdings
- Midnight Ventures
- Eclipse Enterprises
- Summit Acquisitions
- Titan Assets
Lucia nodded thoughtfully, each name bringing a different reaction. "Prime Holdings feels strong, but it's almost too obvious," she mused. "Midnight Ventures has a bit of mystery, which could work well given your… talents."
They continued to discuss each name, evaluating the tone it would set for their future company, and what kind of legacy it could build.
Eventually, the decision would be made—one that would mark the start of their powerful alliance.
After an extended back-and-forth, Martin sat back in his chair, his mind swirling with the names they had discussed.
Prime Holdings, Midnight Ventures, Eclipse Enterprises—all had their strengths, but something about the ones linked to midnight and midday unsettled him.
It was as if his subconscious kept dragging him back to the mysterious system that governed his life, and that kind of dependency frightened him.
A chill ran down his spine as his thoughts raced. What if, one day, powerful and resourceful people noticed the pattern? What if his every move was scrutinized, just so someone could uncover the secret to his sudden success? A name like Midnight Ventures could be too revealing, too close to the hidden truth that Martin didn't want anyone to find out.
He straightened up in his seat, glancing across the table at Lucia, who was still thinking aloud about their options. The names they had discussed had brought them this far, but Martin couldn't shake the feeling of unease.
He knew he needed to step back, detach himself from the decision.
"Lucia," he said suddenly, his voice firm but calm, "I think you should make the final decision. Pick a name that feels right for you."
Lucia blinked, surprised at his shift in tone. "You want me to choose?" she asked, tilting her head in curiosity.
Martin nodded, his mind already moving past the immediate task. "Yeah. You've got a good sense for this. Plus, I'd rather not have the company's name tied too closely to... anything personal."
Lucia narrowed her eyes slightly but shrugged with a smile. She could sense something more behind his words, but she didn't push. Instead, she focused on the task at hand, mulling over the names they had discussed. After a moment, her eyes lit up as inspiration struck.