Chapter 18 - The Global PlaybookThe EU transit contract announcement didn't just rattle the board; it utterly redefined the global infrastructure market.
By noon, financial networks across London, Frankfurt, and Tokyo were running live analyses of the deal, citing Reed Global as the undisputed titan of modern transit technology.
I stood in the center of the executive conference room, projecting the live global network traffic map onto the massive glass-wall display while a dozen international regional directors dialed into the video conference.
"The predictive routing algorithms developed by our analytics team will reduce urban transit congestion across major European capitals by forty percent," I explained, my voice steady, clear, and commanding the complete attention of every executive on the screen. "Data isn't just a support tool anymore, gentlemen. It is the core operating system of this company."
From the back of the room, leaning casually against the credenza with a cup of black coffee in his hand, Graham watched me with a look of absolute, unapologetic pride.
When I finished the presentation and opened the floor for questions, no one spoke for ten full seconds.
Then Victoria Sterling—who hadn't taken the elevator down after all—slowly raised her hand from the back row. "An exceptional presentation, Avery. Reed Global’s board officially moves to approve full budget expansion for the data division."
"Motion carried," Graham said immediately without waiting for a second. "Meeting adjourned."
As the regional directors slowly logged off the video feed and the room emptied out, leaving just the two of us standing in the expansive glass-walled conference room, Graham set his coffee cup down and walked over.
"You realize," he said, slipping his arms around my waist from behind and resting his chin on my shoulder, "that you completely stole my thunder today."
"I merely optimized your corporate presentation," I retorted, leaning back against him, feeling the familiar, steady warmth of his heartbeat. "You're welcome, CEO."
"Call me that in the boardroom again and I'll have to remind you who holds the primary voting bloc," he teased softly, pressing a light kiss against the side of my neck.
"Try it, and I'll route our joint asset trust straight to a charity for stray cats."
Graham laughed, turning me around in his arms so I was facing him directly. His dark eyes softened, the sharp edges of the corporate titan melting away, leaving only the man who had pulled me into a Vegas penthouse suite and changed my entire world.
"Cats?" he raised an eyebrow. "Is that our next corporate expansion project?"
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"Only if you promise to sign the adoption papers without calling a team of lawyers first."
"For you," Graham whispered, leaning down to capture my lips in a slow, deep, perfect kiss, "I'd sign anything."
