~Next Day~
Darkness slowly rolled away from the sky as morning light crept in, painting the horizon in hues of gold. The dew still clung to the lush green grass, and the flowers began to open up, releasing their sweet fragrance into the warm, fresh air.
Davis stirred awake, his eyes slowly settling on the peaceful face of the woman beside him. Carefully, he slipped his arm from under her head, replacing it with a pillow. As he shifted to get out of bed, a slender arm wrapped around his waist. He paused.
A sleepy voice mumbled, "Still early... Where are you going this early?"
Davis turned to look at her, her eyelids fluttering but not yet fully open. He chuckled softly. "I have a lot to sort out today. It’s better to start early."
His hand brushed away the stray strands of hair from her face.
"I’ll be visiting the Santiagos’ this evening," Jessica muttered.
Davis gave a small nod. He knew this visit weighed on her. The Santiagos were no ordinary family, and Jessica always seemed tense around them. With the date already fixed, there was no turning back now.
After a moment of thought, he said, "You might want to carefully choose what you wear, probably a dress. I have a strong feeling you’re not just going to meet the familiar faces this time."
That jolted Jessica awake. Her eyes snapped open, all traces of sleep gone. "Why do you say that?" she asked, her chest tightening slightly.
"Just a gut feeling," Davis replied quietly.
She let out a slow breath, her heart thudding. Davis went on, his voice thoughtful.
"Think about it. You’ve met Lady Matilda a few times already, and you know her son as well. Before our trip, they requested your visit, but you rescheduled. You’ve had dinners with her outside their mansion before and now, they want you to visit their family estate. Doesn’t that suggest something deeper?"
Jessica nodded slowly. "I’ve always suspected she had something on her mind. There’s a certain familiarity I feel when I’m with her... and those subtle looks she gives me. You may be right."
A quiet stillness fell between them, each lost in their thoughts. Then Jessica straightened, determination in her eyes. "Alright. No need to worry. I’ll be ready on time." With a smile on her lips, she muttered "We shall see what they’ve got."
"Going with your driver?" Davis asked.
"No. They’re sending one. But I’ll have a backup on standby just in case I decide to leave early."
Davis gave a soft laugh. "Smart move. Well, now that Sleeping Beauty is fully awake, I’ll be on my way."
Jessica smiled faintly. "It’s okay."
He pulled her into a warm hug. When he let go, Jessica rose from the bed and walked into the walk-in closet to select a dress from her limited-edition collection.
After a warm shower, Davis received a quick shoulder massage from Jessica before slipping into his tailored suit. She helped him adjust his tie.
He stood before the mirror, took a deep breath, then walked himself toward his wheelchair to settle down for the day.
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Downstairs
The mansion buzzed with renewed energy. The aroma of breakfast filled the air as the chef worked in the kitchen and maids attended to their assigned duties.
Ethan sat in the dining room, focused on his laptop with several files sprawled across from him. His expression hardening as he was going through the acquisition documents Davis had instructed him to prepare. Despite just returning from travel, work had resumed in full swing.
The soft rolling sound of Davis’s wheelchair made Ethan glance up. He stood and approached, they both exchanged pleasantries. His hand settling on the wheelchair he assisted Davis to the seat.
Davis looked at the screen. "Any challenge with the acquisition?"
Ethan shook his head slightly. "I got a report and it seems Madam is also interested in the acquisition. I got the report that the company is a direct competitor and was founded with a purpose."
Davis’s eyes narrowed. "Has she made progress already?"
"I’m not sure," Ethan replied. "But I keep hitting walls whenever I make a move. I suspect she’s ahead."
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