Chapter Eleven

Grace was halfway through her third espresso and knee-deep in damage control when Maya popped her head into the office.

"You've been summoned " Maya said, tilting her head with a mix of amusement and warning "Vale's office just sent over an invite."

Grace blinked. "To what?"

Maya stepped fully inside and dropped a sleek black envelope on her desk. The gold foil lettering gleamed in the morning light:

"The Meridian Fund Annual Gala

Saturday, 8PM | The Halcyon, D.C."

"Black Tie. By Invitation Only."

She opened it, scanning the details. High-profile. Investor-heavy. Media-saturated. And for the first time, the invitation didn't come addressed to "Governor's Daughter, Grace Cole "

It was for "Ms. Grace Cole , Managing Partner, Veracore Strategies "

Below it, in handwriting she instantly recognized:

'We need to change the conversation. Let's do it together. LV'

Grace set the card down and leaned back in her chair, expression unreadable.

Maya crossed her arms. "So, are you going?"

"I haven't decided."

"You should," Maya said gently. "Before someone else decides your story for you. Again"

Grace didn't respond. But the weight in her chest ,half anger, half anticipation are answered for her.

By the time Saturday night rolled around, Grace had made her choice.

She arrived at the Halcyon in a navy satin gown with a plunging back and a diamond ear cuff shaped like a crescent moon. Elegant. Sharp. Strategic.

She entered alone, and every camera turned. The crowd whispered.

Liam Vale was already there.

He stood at the far end of the ballroom, tailored in midnight black, all edge and poise. The minute he saw her, the easy confidence on his face faltered just slightly. A flicker of something real. Something vulnerable.

And then he was walking toward her, champagne in one hand, jaw set like he was bracing for a fight .

"You came," he said, stopping just short of touching her

"I didn't do it for you," she said coolly.

"No," he said. "You did it for the truth."

Their eyes locked for one slow, dangerous second.

"Come with me" he said, offering her his arm.

They crossed the ballroom under the gaze of dozens of billionaires, senators, and media giants. Whispers trailed behind them like smoke.

At the center of the room, a sleek black platform held two stools and a small stage where a moderator was prepping note cards. The Meridian Gala wasn't just a fundraiser it was a live-streamed forum for business and political leadership.

And tonight, apparently, they were the centerpiece.

Grace turned to Liam, murmuring, "You planned this."

"No," he said with a ghost of a smile. "I just knew you wouldn't back down."

When their names were called, applause erupted measured, expectant, vaguely suspicious.

They took the stage.

The moderator began. "Ms. Cole , Mr. Vale. The headlines this week have been… provocative. But we're hoping to cut through the noise tonight. Let's start simple: is your partnership a power move or a PR stunt?"

Grace leaned into the mic, calm and composed.

"Neither," she said. "It's a correction. A course change. Vale Systems approached us with a flawed concept, and rather than walk away, I chose to rebuild it from the inside. Transparency, not tokenism."

Liam added, "Grace didn't just come in and fix the optics. She rewrote the foundation. And let's be clear there was no cozy deal. There were long nights, screaming matches, and an uncompromising vision that frankly terrified most of my board."

A few people laughed nervously.

Grace continued, voice steady. "We aren't allies because we agree. We're allies because we challenge each other. Because the future of our cities ,our climate or our people can't be shaped by egos and unchecked ambition, It has to be earned. And it has to be real."

The moderator looked between them. "And what would you say to those who claim your involvement is a result of personal entanglement"

Grace didn't flinch.

"I say it's sexist," she said flatly "No one questions a man's ability to lead when he works alongside a woman he respects. But somehow, a woman can't be seen in the same room as a powerful man without assumptions about her motives"

Murmurs rippled through the crowd.

Liam looked at her, pride flickering in his expression

"I'll add this," he said. "If aligning with someone brilliant, passionate, and relentlessly ethical is considered a liability then I'm fine taking that hit."

The silence that followed was a different kind charged, respectful, even a little awestruck.

The moderator smiled. "Well. I think the public just got their clarity."

When the panel ended, Grace descended the steps first. Cameras flashed. She didn't stop for them.

Liam followed, catching up just as she reached the marble corridor behind the ballroom.

He touched her arm just lightly. She turned.

"You handled that better than I expected," she said.

"You always expect me to fail?"

"No. I expect you to surprise me. And you're consistent."

He leaned in, eyes scanning hers. "So are we okay?"

"No," she said softly "but we're… closer."

The electricity still hummed between them. And for a heartbeat, they stood in that gray area staring at each other as Liam stepped closer to her.

Then Grace stepped back.

"We changed the headline," she said. "That's enough for tonight."

He nodded. "For tonight."

" Listen" he said " I will like you to accompany me to a place tomorrow"

" and where is that place" She asked curiously

He smiled and said " just a neighborhood I want you to see and let me hear your point of view or thoughts about it"

" Alright then , will it be another project" she asked

" only if you want it to be , so guess you are in" Liam said with a hint of excitement

Grace just smiled and said " Goodnight Mr Vale" and turned and left

But as she walked away, Liam Vale knew this wasn't just politics Nor partnership , but something different