LUCIEN

THREE DAYS AGO: NIGHT OF THE LAUNCH

"Mr Vexley, I want to talk to you about something urgent." I was already on my way out of the hall when I was cornered by someone whom I could not recognise.

"I have to decline because I am already on my way home."

"I am sure you'd benefit from what I am about to..."

"I am not looking for any new partnership, so I would like to decline. However, if you want to say more, then you can make it to the office on Monday, and I would do all I can to see you," I say because the disappointment on...