Chapter 9 - The Foundation HoldsThree months later, the headlines in the Charleston Chronicle and the Wall Street Journal had finally stopped buzzing about the most catastrophic society wedding scandal of the decade.
Meridian Harbor Engineering had suffered a massive public relations disaster after Richard Vance’s involvement in the corporate interference scandal was leaked to the investigative press. Vance was forced out of his position, and the board, desperate to save the company’s remaining assets, restructured under a new executive board—one that immediately offered Adrian Keller the position of Chief Executive Officer.
Adrian turned it down.
Instead, using his patent settlements and a clean break from corporate oversight, he partnered with Lantern and Lace Events.
The sun was setting over the Ashley River, casting a warm, golden glow across a newly expanded design studio in downtown Charleston. Inside, fifty paper lanterns hung from the high industrial ceilings, swaying gently in the evening breeze coming off the harbor.
Nora stood on a wooden ladder, attempting to secure a banner for their very first major corporate-charity gala, while below her, Adrian stood firmly holding the base of the ladder.
"You're going to fall," Adrian called out, a familiar, teasing grin playing on his lips.
Nora looked down at him, adjusting her tool belt with a confident smile.
"Then hold the ladder, Keller."
"That is a structural safety plan," Adrian replied, stepping closer and placing both hands firmly on the wooden rungs.
"Is it a good one?" Nora asked, leaning down to meet his eyes.
May you like
Adrian smiled, reaching up to gently tangle his fingers in her hair, pulling her down just enough to press a long, tender kiss against her lips—a kiss that erased every lonely night, every fake email, and every year of waiting.
"The best one I've ever engineered," he whispered against her mouth.
