174 Chapter 174 Unwavering Pursuit
174 Chapter 174 – Unwavering Pursuit
Dario made his way to the reception area, his footsteps echoing in the marble corridor. Marco was already settled in one of the leather chairs, his posture relaxed but alert. The moment he spotted Dario approaching alone, something shifted in his dark eyes, a flicker of calculation that lasted only a fraction of a second.
Marco rose smoothly to his feet, extending his hand with practiced confidence. “I apologize for dropping by unannounced, Mr. Reid. I hope you’ll forgive the intrusion.”
“It is a long time,” Cullen acknowledged with a slight nod.
Wednesday morning arrived with its usual flurry of scheduled meetings. Veronica sat across from Dario in the glass–walled conference room, reviewing quarterly projections when his secretary appeared in the doorway. The woman’s expression carried a hint of urgency as she approached Dario discreetly.
Cullen continued eating steadily, his response measured and calm. “Give it more time before trying again.”
Upon returning to the conference room, Dario found that Veronica had wrapped up the quarterly review and was organizing the scattered documents into neat stacks.
Cullen considered his schedule mentally before responding. “Saturday is completely booked for me, but Sunday should work. If you really want to go out on Saturday instead, you could always ask Marco and Cecelia to accompany you.”
“Mr. Reid, Marco Valerie is here to see you. He doesn’t have an appointment, but he’s waiting in the lobby.”
and can
That evening after they finished dinner, Veronica and Dario drove back to DataPulse headquarters to tackle the remaining work for the day.
Late Friday afternoon, while Veronica was deep in concentration reviewing contract details, her phone suddenly buzzed against the desk. She glanced at the screen and saw Sabrina’s name displayed once again.
When Dario finally closed the folder and set it aside, his face had grown notably more serious. “Your sincerity is evident, Mr. Valerie, and I won’t pretend the offer isn’t compelling. However, I have other factors to consider before making such a significant
12:53
114
174 Chapter 174–Unwavering Pursuit
decision. I’ll need time to properly evaluate everything”
“That’s the fourth time,” she said quietly, picking at her food without enthusiasm. “Since last Saturday, I’ve tried calling Mom four separate times. She hasn’t answered
even once.”
Marco’s response was immediate and gracious. “Naturally. Due diligence is essential in matters like these. If you have any questions about specific aspects of the proposal, or if you’d like to discuss modifications to any terms, please don’t hesitate to reach out. I’m completely open to negotiation.”
“Then you wait longer. Eventually, she’ll be ready to talk.”
Cullen was seated across from her at the breakfast table, methodically working through his own plate when Sabrina spoke up, her voice thick with emotion.
The reassurance in his voice helped ease some of the tightness in Sabrina’s chest. She looked at him hopefully. “How much longer do you think it will take?”
Dario nodded slowly, though he felt a familiar knot of frustration forming in his chest. The rational part of his mind agreed completely with Veronica’s assessment. The emotional part, however, bristled at the idea of making Marco’s life easier in any way. It left him feeling like a boxer with no opponent to fight, all that pent–up energy with nowhere to go.
Sabrina’s appetite had completely vanished. “What if she keeps ignoring me?”
Veronica looked up briefly, her eyes meeting his with understanding. “Of course.”
Cullen paused his eating, considering the question seriously. “Probably within the next two weeks.”
The formal handshake felt loaded with unspoken tension, but Dario maintained his professional demeanor. “Not at all, Mr. Valerie. Please, sit.”
Sabrina’s face fell dramatically. “Two whole weeks? That feels like forever!”
“Marco certainly doesn’t waste time,” Dario commented, loosening his tie slightly. “Two days ago I declined his/proposal over the phone, and today he shows up with a fully developed business plan. No unnecessary pleasantries, just straight to the heart of the matter.”
Marco’s reputation in the business world meant that simply turning him away would
12:53
2/4
174 Chapter 174- Unwavering Pursuit
be considered poor form, especially since he had already made the effort to come in person. Politics and courtesy demanded a meeting, regardless of Dario‘ personal feelings about the situation.
“I was hoping to go out this weekend,” Sabrina continued, her tone becoming more animated as she tried to distract herself from her disappointment. “Niall is still recovering from her injuries, so she can’t come with me. Would you be able to take me somewhere?”
Veronica glanced up from her paperwork, her expression thoughtful. “There’s no harm in taking some time to observe his business practices. If the partnership would genuinely benefit us, working with him could be the smart choice.”
The meeting concluded efficiently, with Marco gathering his materials and offering polite farewells. His professionalism was flawless, leaving Dario with no legitimate complaints about his conduct or approach. As courtesy dictated, Dario personally
escorted him to the elevator.
He paused, running a hand through his hair as he considered the implications. “I have to admit, his offer is genuinely attractive.”
Meanwhile, Sabrina stared at her phone screen with growing desperation. The frustration of being ignored was becoming almost unbearable, and she had to physically restrain herself from hurling the device across the room. Instead, she felt tears prick at the corners of her eyes as she sat down to her morning meal.
Dario accepted the document, his expression carefully neutral as he began to scan the contents. With each page he turned, his eyebrows climbed higher. The numbers were impressive, the terms favorable, and the potential benefits substantial. Marco had clearly done his homework, crafting an offer that would be difficult for any reasonable
businessman to refuse.
Two days later, on Friday morning, Veronica had barely finished getting dressed when her phone rang again. Sabrina’s persistence was unwavering, but so was Veronica’s resolve. She set the device on her nightstand and walked into breakfast, leaving the call unanswered.
““e kitchen to prepare
Once they had both settled into the expensive furniture, Marco wasted no time on small talk. He reached into his briefcase and withdrew a thick folder, sliding it across the glass coffee table with deliberate precision. “I’ve prepared a comprehensive cooperation proposal. I’d appreciate it if you could review the terms.”
12:53
3/4
174 Chapter 174–Unwavering Pursuit
He glanced at Veronica, who was still absorbed in the financial reports spread across the polished conference table. “Continue with the meeting without me. I need to
handle this.”
Dario felt his jaw tighten involuntarily. He knew exactly why Marco had materialized at their offices without warning. The man’s persistence was becoming legendary, and Dario had to admit there was something almost admirable about his relentless pursuit of what he wanted.
For the past several days, Sabrina had been calling sporadically, but Veronica continued to let each call go to voicemail. She turned the phone face down and returned her attention to the documents spread before her.
Comment 0
12:53
