JULIAN

Charles Ashford was nothing like I expected, he walked into my office at eight AM looking more like a college professor than a billionaire investor.

Casual blazer, no tie, reading glasses perched on his nose. Victoria followed behind him, looking nervous for the first time since I'd met her.

"Mr. Cross," Charles said, extending his hand. "Charles Ashford."

"Mr. Ashford," I replied, shaking firmly. "Thank you for coming."

"Call me Charles," he said, settling into a chair. "Mr. Ashford makes me feel ancient."

Blake appeared with coffee, having anticipated the early meeting.

"Charles, this is Blake Hartley," I introduced. "My advisor."

"Hartley's son," Charles said immediately, his face lighting...