Page 5 of Their Diamond Ring Ruse

‘I heard a rumour that he’s looking to invest in green energy for Arum...’ Henry leaned against the bar.

‘He is. But I’m betting he’s hoping one of his associates with the correct pedigree will magically provide the solution he’s looking for.’

This was the issue Julian kept crashing into. It didn’t matter to people like Lincoln Harrison who could provide the best solution—what mattered was who from his approved list of old money sycophants could provide the best solution. Because in his world being born on the wrong side of the tracks was a blemish that couldn’t be tolerated.

Just then a woman entered the function room. Skin golden-brown. Glossy black hair pinned up, exposing an elegant neck. Lithe and graceful, in a pale yellow dress that made him feel kissed by the sun. Such a change to the monochrome monotony in this room.

It was Lily Barnes-Shah.

And Julian couldn’t look away as she and her brother Devan approached none other than Lincoln Harrison himself.

He watched with interest as she evaded his kiss, then stiffened at his touch.

Interesting.

With great effort Julian turned his attention back to Henry. It was hard to do, because everything in him wanted to keep looking at her.

‘Why does he want to go green now? PR?’ asked Henry.

‘No...’ Julian forced himself to pay attention to the conversation. ‘And it’s not out of moral responsibility either. He’s found out how much money he would make in the long run, so he’s prepared for the capital outlay now.’

‘Well, as long as his money is good...’

Julian’s gaze had started wandering back to Lily, but now it snapped back to his mentor. That wasn’t all there was to it, but Julian didn’t control his clients’ motives, and as long as his own goals were being met he would have to be satisfised with that.

‘That won’t matter if I can’t even get an in with Arum.’

‘You know what the issue is, don’t you?’ said Henry.

Of course Julian knew, and he could do nothing about it.

‘You’re new money and your reputation. These people think you’re too ruthless.’

His so-called ruthlessness followed him around constantly. For the most part Julian revelled in it, but occasionally it was a hindrance. He just always looked for the most efficient solution. Efficiency didn’t leave time to care about feelings. Efficiency meant taking over companies, trimming away the fat, stripping it to its bare bones and then making it perform at its best.

Julian made things work. It was business. There should be no room for feelings. It wasn’t logical. As for the other issue... There wasn’t much he could do about that save marrying into that old money world. But marriage was not an option. Ever. Not with his past. His company and his money were good, and that would have to do.

‘You need to show them a different side to you, Julian. Something they can relate to,’ Henry continued.

‘I’m not softening my edge just so that a bunch of elitist pricks can feel good about themselves. I’m the best at what I do. My work should stand alone.’ Julian didn’t raise his voice. He never let himself show anger. He could control himself. Had to.

‘It should, but you’ll catch a lot more flies with honey than with vinegar. Remember that. We’ll talk more later—there’s someone I need to see.’

Feeling someone’s gaze boring into him, Julian looked over to see Lily Barnes-Shah staring right at him. He couldn’t look away. Even from where he stood he could see there was something about the look in her eyes. Something like anger. She looked away first, but that was a feeling he knew all too well.

It was an interesting thing, watching a person make a decision of some gravity. Watching the emotions play out on their face. First uncertainty, followed by a ripple of fear, and then, as their will solidified, and they became certain of their choice, their features would set. Sometimes with determination, other times with confidence, at times even with aloofness.

Watching Lily closely from his place at the bar, Julian saw her push her shoulders back and lift her chin, as if she’d suddenly remembered she was San Franciscan royalty. With no small amount of curiosity he saw her pull away from Lincoln, whose questioning gaze had turned hard.

Julian realised his glass was midway to his lips, as if he’d forgotten what he was doing. He drained the rest of his drink, not tasting any of it, and watched Lily walk away from the two men. He had seen Lincoln’s look before. Seen what it could do. It was a symptom of a much bigger disease. A subtle tell that wrote an entire book for Julian about what kind of man Lincoln Harrison was.

He knew he needed more information on what was happening, so he looked to her brother Devan, whose jaw was set. A look of frustration on his face.

Very interesting.

But the two men didn’t hold his attention for long. Not when she was walking towards him. Not when this beautiful woman, who moved with effortless grace, and who had eclipsed every other being in this room, had her eyes fixed on him. It shifted something in his chest. Made every cell in his body come alive. Her presence called to him, and his body was responding without thought.

Julian rested against the bar just as she reached him, leaning his arms on the gold marble. ‘I’ve never seen anyone look more like a lamb to the slaughter,’ he said.

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