The 59th floor.
The elevator doors opened revealing an extensive hallway with ambient recessed lighting. Evie led the group down the spacious hallway.
Asher glanced at the path. He felt he should take into consideration this decor style. Framed artworks and paintings of various sizes were displayed on the walls and potted plants and vases were on ebony shelves every now and then.
The atmosphere was both unique and inviting.
There were doors at fixed intervals. These led to offices used by Evie's trusted secretary team.
All affairs were handed to them before getting to Evie's hands. This ensured all documents were given proper attention and well investigated before Evie did any form of confirmation.
Thanks to that, Evie had plenty of time apart from signing and approving documents or when she had meetings and business abroad.
The busy lifestyle many assumed of her was only an assumption.
Asher quietly observed and easily concluded that the CEO led a luxurious lifestyle. She had elegant taste as well. He didn't find it obnoxious or pretentious. In a way, he thought it suited her.
"Please, make yourselves comfortable."
They finally got to the end of the hallway. A double door stood with a small silver nameplate indicating it was the CEO's office.
Evie motioned the group to a meeting space in her office.
Martha, Evie's aide brought out some refreshments for the group before settling behind her master.
Asher felt satisfied with the service but knew the priority of this meeting. His sapphire blue eyes became sharp as he met Evie's indifferent gaze.
"Now then, time to get down on business," his deep and clear voice captured everyone's attention.
"I agree, let's discuss the terms of our transaction," Evie smiled, her deep violet eyes gaining a bright gleam. The negotiation would officially start.
She liked this type of intellectual businessman who got straight to the point. Smart people seemed to understand each other. In this case, not wasting time on fluttery and sentiments. Her evaluation of the man rose a notch higher. Since he didn't waste her time, her eyes lost their sharp intent. However, this wasn't something anyone else could observe as her eyes remained indifferent even with the smile on her lips.
The middle-aged man in his forties behind Asher read his master's intention and swiftly took out some files. His name was Hans, in other words, Asher's aide. Hans followed, managed, and assisted Asher with business matters and personal life for over a decade. It could be said, he knew Asher best.
Hans maintained a stoic face as he handed some documents to Asher. Beneath his uninterested gaze was an observer with intrigue.
He simply couldn't fathom why his master was inclined to meet the L.A company CEO personally. This was out of character. Thus he observed the exchange between the two involved parties.
He came to the conclusion they were similar, too similar. Hans couldn't help but feel a shiver at the thought another Asher Demir existed, in female form no less.
Asher handed the contract document of their proposal to Evie.
Evie got serious as she carefully read through the documents. The room fell into silence. The aides stood motionlessly while the lawyers took sips of coffee as they read their own copies of the same document.
Asher on the other hand, silently observed Evie.
'Evie Adrienne…' He memorized the name.
A young ambitious woman whom one wouldn't believe was a day older than her coming of age. The girl had it all, unique charisma to demand the attention of the room, disciplined mannerisms and flawless etiquette, enviable intellect, and unique allure and charm. She could be said to be a high-quality woman who had undergone a strict upbringing. However, nothing was known of her.
The woman, Evie Adrienne was an enigma.
Asher's eyes narrowed as he pondered and studied the woman. Her ever-cold eyes never flustered in his presence raised and met his gaze point blank. She didn't feel intimidated at all.
Asher sighed inwardly and asked, "Are we in agreement with these terms?"
She gazed at Asher with a calm attitude and her face didn't give out any of her thought. It was more entrancing than when she walked and swayed or talked. Her silence drew attention.
Evie was in no hurry.
Her finger found the edge of her seat and tapped thrice while her eyes lingered on the ripple of the coffee in her cup. She took a sip of her black coffee with no sugar and her gaze met Asher's once more.
In a perfectly fitting custom suit, the man seemed to be a shrewd businessman. It was truly a deceiving image.
Evie could keenly sense danger radiating from the man, different from the unrefined wild brutes she had once witnessed, Asher was like a sheathed blade. Sharp yet concealed.
"The contract looks fine. We have our deal. Is there anything you wish amended, Mr. Demir?" Evie raised her brow.
Whatever scheme was he brewing?
Could it be the rumors were false? All his business associates made losing deals when it came to him, the deal devil. Evie couldn't help but hesitate when the offer seemed too good to be true. Were there no strings attached?
However, she couldn't delay anymore.
"Haha, I wonder if the company comes with her model?" Asher leaned in, his hands clasped in front of him, his eyes narrowed slightly. He looked slightly more menacing this way.
"Of course not. I am selling the company not myself, Mr Demir." Evie smirked and replied promptly, however, her narrowed eyes gained a sharp glint.
Evie knew he was joking. The model was the company owner. Where would there be such a good deal as that? It was like the one-plus-one deal.
Asher raised his brow. To refuse him so straightforwardly without any lingering thought, somehow left a bitter taste in his mouth.
"Okay then, there is nothing more to change," Asher confirmed and relaxed his body.
Evie made eye contact with her Lawyer and he nodded back. She took the contract agreement and signed her initials in cursive. Her handwriting attracted Asher's attention. It was clean, precise, and confident, much like her.
Asher received the papers and did the same.
When all the formalities were done, Hans passed an iPad to Asher. With a digital signature, the transaction was done.
Evie received her payment and instantly her temporary back account read so many zeroes. However, the tax came just as heavy. The amount of tax that she was more than a small business's yearly income. It was that high.
She sighed.
'These won't get to be put into use anyways…' she mused.
The lawyers saw their role here was done. They took the contracts for notarization and left.
"Now for the briefing, Mr. Demir." Evie gestured to Martha.
The lights were dimmed as a projection screen was lowered. The latter half of the progressed smoothly. Evie presented her company's inner workings, working structure, and all the encrypted details. With a voice neither high nor low, she calmly answered all tongue-twisting questions Asher threw at her.
It dawned on Asher that the woman was extremely competent. His evaluation of Evie rose from interest to acknowledgment and admiration.
Asher still couldn't make a clear picture of Evie. When he met her, her actions seemed even more baffling. They didn't seem to hold any clear intent. She easily let go of her company ownership without attachment.
Thus he wondered why.
When Evie was done, both Asher and his aide Hans were stunned. Asher nodded in deep thought.
"Miss Adrienne, would you consider working for me? I can give you any position you like," asked Asher.
"I have commitments that come right after this, Mr. Demir." Evie shook her head and took a sip from her refilled coffee cup.
"What could they be?" Asher pressed on.
"Early retirement. Mmm, maybe something similar to taking a break. I won't be working for a long while. You have just sent me enough funds to cover my lifetime expenses." Since he asked, it would be rude not to reply.
Evie replied in a humorous tone, wishing not to come out sarcastic, but failing terribly at it. There was no way a woman who had just made such a huge profit would consider toiling again for a paycheck that barely made a dent in her account balance.
Asher sighed realizing how dumb his proposal was.
The woman, Evie seemed to be set aside common standards. She managed to monopolize the image of jewelry, that feat alone spoke volumes. She was devilishly beautiful, she knew this and she was confident. On top of that, a competent CEO. Why would she need to go under someone? All in all, there seemed to be nothing he could offer to this woman.