I took a slow, deliberate sip of my black coffee, my eyes cool, analytical, and entirely unbothered. “Daniel has always loved performing for an audience, Miriam. That’s why I made sure he had the largest one possible.”
On the screen, an elderly gentleman with pristine silver hair, wearing an impeccably cut bespoke tuxedo, rose from the primary VIP table at the front of the stage.
It was Arthur Bell.
Seventy-two years old, an iconic titan of old-money private equity, Daniel’s primary early-stage investor, and—unknown to anyone in that room—my personal mentor and senior advisor to the board of Vale Meridian Holdings for the past nine years.
Daniel beamed with unrestrained pride as Arthur walked up the wooden steps of the wedding dais. Daniel extended a hand, practically glowing with self-congratulation.
“Arthur! What an incredible honor. I’m so glad you could make it to our special night to toast our future!”
