Intrigue was clear on Emmeline’s face, and Luke felt the same emotion spark through him. He listened intently as Anh continued.
“I wished to meet the both of you together, which is why I brought Luke here as my date,” Anh said, looking pleased with herself.
“An opportunity I am truly grateful for,” Luke replied, giving Anh a charming smile. Emmeline gave him an icy look but sobered at what Anh said next:
“I have been monitoring both of your businesses for some time,” she said, folding her other hand on top of her cane. “I keep track of all the businesses in Starshine Valley, particularly those run by young blood. You have both been vying for me to invest in your companies.”
Luke wasn’t surprised Emmeline was striving for Anh to invest in her business, too: she had smart instincts; she always had.
“I am ready to invest,” Anh said.
A thrill shot through him.Finally. After months of effort, things were moving forward. Tempest would be saved; he could continue to pay for his mother’s medical bills.
Everything would be alright.
Luke smiled. “That is incredible news,” he started, only for Anh to cut him off.
“I wasn’t finished, darling,” she said. “I have a proposal of my own.”
Luke’s heartbeat quickened. He could feel the unease radiating off Emmeline; she seemed to be bracing herself.
“The two of you should consolidate your businesses into one,” Anh said. “Your products are similar enough, and such a step would surely increase profit margins.”
The idea made Luke’s heart beat even faster, though not with dread—with excitement. Despite their history, he would be open to such an idea.
Until Emmeline’s sharp voice snapped out, “Absolutely not.”
Chapter 3
Working with Luke was out of the question for Emmeline.
She had been trying to get Anh to invest in Inferno for months. Business was doing well, and she wanted to expand, but she needed investment money to take such a big step. Even if it was the only way, working with Luke was out of the question.
“Absolutely not,” Emmeline said, voice leaving no room for negotiation. “Tempest is leagues behind Inferno. While consolidating would be to his company’s advantage, it makes no sense for mine. I have no desire to move backwards.”
Luke barked out a laugh at that. “We’re not so far behind.”
Emmeline bristled. In reality, she did know that what Luke said was true, but she couldn’t tell Anh the real reason she refused to merge with Luke was because she couldn’t stand him. Ordinarily, Emmeline could be relied upon for her professionalism, but Luke Hayward had an uncanny knack of making her behave in ways she otherwise wouldn’t.
Around him, she felt entirely out of control—unhinged. And she preferred being hinged, thank you very much.
From her position on the couch, Anh looked from Emmeline to Luke, then back at Emmeline, her eyes assessing. For a moment, Emmeline considered ceding, but she refrained. She knew she couldn’t trust Luke Hayward, of all people.
Releasing a sigh, Anh let out a thoughtful noise. “I am only going to invest in one company,” Anh said. “Are you sure?”
Neither Emmeline nor Luke wasted a moment; they both immediately began talking over one another, leaning forward on their lounge chairs as they pitched their businesses.
“Tempest is a stronger candidate—”
“Inferno is the company to go with—”
“Our numbers—”
“Our distribution—”
“The reliability of the dragons—”
“The chimeras’ work ethic—”
