Facade of Love

Chapter 204 Charlie Joins the Scene

Mid–sentence, the private room’s door swung open, and in walked an older guy who looked like he was pushing fifty. I recognized him–it was Klaus Lowry, the big shot in charge of Lake City’s economic game plan.

He came in with a grin. “No drinks today? Idris, you call me out for a meal and expect me to stay sober? I braved an earful from your aunt for this. If we’re not clinking glasses, I’m outta here.”

Then he spotted me, paused for a beat, then said, “You must be Yvette.”

I popped up to say hi. “Nice to meet you, Mr. Lowry.” I knew Klaus was tight with the Youngs, though we had never actually crossed paths before.

Klaus gave a nod and a smile, waved me back to my seat, and settled in himself. Turning to Idris, he teased, “You didn’t drag me here just to keep me from drinking, did you?”

Idris, usually all business, cracked a rare smile. “We’ll drink, sure, but let’s get down to business first. Then, it’s cheers all around.”

The ‘we‘ was clearly me and Klaus.

Klaus gave me a look and chuckled. “Yvette, can you believe it? I haven’t gotten this guy to share a drink in years, and the one time he does, it’s all for you. You must have him wrapped around your little finger.

})

what to say to that, so I just offered him a small smile

ready? Fill me in, so I know what we’re dealing with. We’re talking mega–bucks here, projects that’ll shape the future of Lake City. Personally, with the rapport I’ve got with the Youngs, I’d sign off on this in a heartbeat for you. But this is big league stuff, so it’s not just up to me. You’ve got to show me what you’ve got, so I can back you up.”

was

the deal.” he said. “The Avaloria projects are massive. Handing them all to Scott Corporation? With where you stand right now, especially financially, it’s a stretch. Yvette, if you’re aiming to bag all these projects, I’m worried it might be too much

of billions big, and there was no way they could tackle it alone. I nodded in agreement and said to Mr. Lowry, “You’re right. We only aimed to snag a couple of

the dilemma clear in his eyes. “Yvette, if we could bid on these

Joins the

it’s the web of connections between them that’s got us looking for a single company to handle

words hung in the air, heavy with implication: if we could not handle it all, we were out of the

predicament. Scott Corporation just did not

tinged with urgency. “Isn’t

out behind the

companies teaming up?

at Idris. He seemed to freeze for a second before dropping a bombshell. “Young Corporation