Chapter 72: Paris Awaits: The Next Big Match
The crisp sound of a pen tapping against a glass desk filled the quiet room, each tap echoing with controlled frustration. Julian Ashcroft sat in his sleek, ultra-modern office in Manhattan, his jaw tight as he stared at the blank whiteboard in front of him. For a man who prided himself on always being ten steps ahead, defeat wasn’t just rare—it was unacceptable. And Ava Lee’s victory at the convention? That had been a public humiliation he couldn’t let go unanswered.
"Sir?" a voice interrupted, cautious but clear. Julian didn’t need to look up to recognize his assistant, Bethany, standing nervously by the door. She was holding a tablet, her usual confidence tempered by the mood in the room.
"Did you find it?" Julian asked, his voice sharp and devoid of its usual charm.
Bethany hesitated. "Define ’it,’ sir."
Julian’s eyes flicked up, narrowing. "The angle, Bethany. The weakness. Everyone has one."
Bethany swallowed hard and nodded. "We’re still compiling data on Ava Lee’s matchmaking methodology, but... there are some interesting observations." She set the tablet down in front of him, pulling up a series of photos from the convention: Ava laughing with clients, shaking hands with Madam Elise, and standing triumphantly with Ryan after her big win.
Julian’s gaze lingered on the photo of Ava and Ryan. His lips curled into a cold smile. "Her weakness," he said slowly, tapping the screen, "is him."
Bethany raised an eyebrow. "Ryan Kim? Her business partner?"
"Her distraction," Julian corrected, leaning back in his chair. "She claims to trust her intuition, but he’s the one who bolsters it. Without him, her confidence cracks. Remove the foundation, and the structure falls."
Bethany shifted uncomfortably. "That seems... personal, sir."
"It’s business," Julian snapped, his tone icy. "And business is personal when someone makes you look like a fool on a global stage." He pushed the tablet back toward her. "Keep digging. I want everything there is to know about Ryan Kim. His weaknesses, his history, his... motivations."