Chapter 198

The private room on the second floor smelled of truffle oil and aged liquor. Cassian stepped forward with both arms spread, grinning. "Took you long enough. You've been dodging dinners like I'm trying to sell you insurance. You said you wanted to explore media, so I brought along the heads of three production houses. Big names. All sharp." Ashton nodded once. "Fine." He stepped in, his eyes sweeping the room. Three men stood up immediately. Their suits were tight across the chest, watches polished, smiles over-eager. Then he saw her. Rowan Hale sat at the center of the table in a wine-red blazer. Her legs were crossed, heels sharp enough to puncture the carpet. She stood slowly, smiling. Cassian caught Ashton's look and chuckled under his breath. "You two already know each other, right? Heard you reconnected in Riverbend. She's back in Skyline now. Thinking of signing with us. Figured dinner would be... efficient." "We had dinner just a few days ago, actually," Rowan said sweetly. The