Shadows of a Billionaire's heart

on the marble floor. A few visitors were idly moving between the exhibits as I stood close to the entrance. An un

a woman whispered, "This is beautiful." However, her gratitude didn't go far enough to cover her e

d to the patter

gave me a glass of champagne that I hadn't requested. "I've been o

nd the room once more in case someone surprised me with a pu

ooked towards the entrance. "Someone en

rent each month, he had an easy confidence that made him hard to ignore. Vance Richard . A billionaire with a reput

tro

the space with a serene accuracy. However, there was no admi

a far-off horizon, and cocked his head slightly. Then his eyes moved and met mine. A sligh

d, but I didn't flinch.

low, deliberate steps before I

y. He had a deep, silky voice with a tinge of edge that suggested

I raised an eyebrow. "I h

red, "Let's call it a mix." "Your

e looked around the room, as if absorbing the dull atmosphere. "To be

. "Mr. Vance, not every night is a b

t be annoying, I suppose. Putting a lot of effort int

hit, but they did. "Is there a reason you're he

to the point. That appeals to me. He seemed to be enjoying the mome

" I narrowed my

ough to conceal the underlying calculation. But let's not mince words. Your gallery isn't doing wel

slap to hear it out loud in his cold, detached tone, even though he wasn't

ort one another," he stated pl

rned over. "A

Details should not be discussed here. Come see me in the morning. It is ten o'cloc

he card. "You think I'll just

ct you to see an opportunity when you see one." "And you'

aving me standing there with a mixture of c

-

ore than my car in Richard Vance's ostensibly streamlined office. The breathtaking perspect

rom his desk and said, "You're

"Let's skip the pleasantries.

int. Excellent. Claire, I won't waste your time. Here's the thi

s increased. "What so

nonchalantly, as if he wer

d I had misheard

For your profession to succeed, you need money, recognition, and stability. I requir

ence as I looked at h

mance. A contract exists. You'd have all you need to get your career back on track. You

's audacity. "Really, do you

you're having trouble. In a society that demands continual relevance, your gallery is losing mone

I fired back. "Why is a fict

me commercial chances that call for me to project a more grounded image. Stability

le. "So, in order to preserve you

much a part of this as I am. Claire, I'm giving you

I was having trouble with my gallery. I was in danger of losing my job

ll give you time to think about it." Don't take too long

g heavily on me, I paused

is was a gamble, not just a proposition. One that had the powe

what type of pers

test suspicion that Richard