ETHAN

This was it. I would sign the deal with Aetherstone. A feat no one had been able to achieve since Grandpa Richard.

The elevator dinged as we reached the top floor of the Argent Tower building. Sleek, cold, and ridiculously modern. Just how I liked my deals—efficient and powerful, with no room for hesitation.

Ava stood beside me, arms folded tightly over her chest, her expression sharp enough to slice through steel. Her jaw was clenched, lips pressed into a thin line.

I didn’t need to ask to know she had something to say. But I didn’t care. We weren’t here for feelings. We were here to close a...