CHAPTER 248: CHAPTER 249 MIRA: SOMETHING’S OFF

‘You seem distracted,’ Fabrizio said. ‘Is something wrong?’

‘What? Huh? Oh, nothing.’ I shook my head.

‘Either that, or Rue des Barres has lost its charm. We just walked past the Fontaine Stravinsky, and you barely glanced at it.’

I looked around.

It really was beautiful.

Paris and romance were practically synonyms, and in early spring, the city was absurdly pretty.

The chestnut trees lining the street were just starting to leaf, spilling soft green over the cream-coloured façades.

Bright awnings flapped above bakery doors, café tables spilt onto the pavements, and the breeze smelled of flowers and warm bread.

I pictured walking here with Ashton, hand in hand.

The thought made me smile—then frown.

I knew he was jealous of Fabrizio.

The look on his face this morning when he dropped me off said so.

But he had no reason to be.

I was engaged to him. I didn’t break promises. Not unless someone gave me a damn good reason—like Rhys had, when he slapped me. It was only once, sure. But once is all it takes.

‘There it is again,’ Fabrizio’s voice snapped me back. ‘That look. I don’t mean to pry, but if there’s anything I can do, just say the word. You’re important to the company. I know I’ve piled a lot on you lately, but I don’t want you feeling like you’re stranded in a foreign city with no support.’

‘I’m not alone. Ashton’s here.’ The words came out on autopilot.

‘Right. Forgot about that.’

Up ahead, Louis-François and Peter Carl were locked in a full-body debate, arms flailing like they were conducting an invisible orchestra. I half expected someone to get smacked in the face.

The breeze shifted, bringing the scent of lilac and fresh baguettes.

Paris was gorgeous. My job was picking up speed, I was working with great people, and I was engaged to the best man I knew.

So why did it feel like something was about to go sideways?

‘Thanks for your concern. I’m fine, really.’ I smiled at Fabrizio.

He gave me one back, then nodded towards some nearby tables. ‘Let’s sit. Café L’Oiseau Bleu, just there. We’ll get some lunch and go over your sketches. This afternoon, I’ll take you to Square des Peupliers. You were after the perfect pearl tone, weren’t you? There’s a Haussmann building with the exact creamy-white you need.’

That pulled me back into work mode. ‘Actually, I’ve changed my mind about the necklace.’

‘Oh?’

‘I’m leaning towards South Sea pearls. I know they’re expensive, but the size—10mm at least—is just awesome, and that colour...’ I let out a little sigh, already picturing it.

When I moved into his house, Ashton had filled my new wardrobe with designer clothes, shoes, and basically every jeweller’s wet dream.

Including a South Sea Pearl necklace. I’d actually slept hugging it. For several nights. With zero shame.

Fabrizio nodded. He got it. ‘That golden hue is one-of-a-kind.’

‘Right? It’s better than actual gold. And the lustre... God, it’s like velvet.’

‘I know a few pearl farms in Broome. Sourcing them wouldn’t be hard. But the cost...’ He hesitated. ‘You know the budget’s tight right now.’

I sighed. ‘Yeah. Maybe we stick with Akoyas. Can’t go wrong with the classics.’

‘Your fiancé’s an investor, isn’t he?’

‘I think so?’ I said, a bit vague. With all Ashton’s businesses, it was hard to keep track.

Although... he’d bought Nyx Collective for me. Did that count?

‘Any chance he’d be interested in Valmont & Cie?’ Fabrizio’s tone was light, casual.

‘I’d have to ask. Are you hoping he’ll invest?’

‘At this point, I’d welcome a divine miracle—or a solid injection of capital. The bankers are basically living on my doorstep. I’d like to get home without tripping over one.’

I blinked. ‘I didn’t realise it was that bad.’

Everyone knew Valmont had cash flow issues, but I assumed it was manageable. This was a well-established house. They must have assets, property... things they could leverage.

‘We’re not going under tomorrow, if that’s what you’re worried about,’ Fabrizio said with a shrug.

Louis-François and Peter Carl had disappeared inside the café. I caught sight of Peter craning over the ice cream counter like a kid on a sugar hunt.

Fabrizio led me to a table on the pavement and ordered two glaces café liégeois.

He picked up the thread like he hadn’t missed a beat. ‘If you were part-owner of Valmont, maybe Mr Laurent would be a bit more... motivated to see us succeed.’

Third time in two days he’d brought up the joint venture idea. I was starting to think this cash flow issue was more urgent than he let on.

I liked Fabrizio. He had an eye for design, a solid name in the business, and his work was genuinely elegant.

And as a person, he was charming, polite to a fault.

But none of that meant I’d throw millions of euros at him just because he asked nicely.

‘Could you send me the company’s financial reports for the past five years? I’ll need to go through them first, just to get a sense of things,’ I said.

‘Sure.’ Fabrizio’s eyes lit up. ‘I’ll email them to you tonight. They’re confidential, as I’m sure you understand.’

‘Of course. Though, do you mind if I ask a financial analyst to look them over with me? I’m hopeless with numbers.’ Even back in school, I’d rather run a marathon than solve for eigenvalues.

Fabrizio hesitated.