Chapter 76
At that moment, Robert stood up from his seat, his expression still calm but now carrying a warm hint of satisfaction. The air in the room had shifted, something important had just taken place, something bigger than just the numbers or the ink that would soon touch paper. To him this wasn’t just a partnership; it was the start of something that would shape legacies.
"Well then," Robert said, his hand stretching out confidently, "let’s seal the deal the right way—with a handshake, before preparing the documents."
Cora didn’t hesitate. With equal grace and composure, she rose from her seat, reached out, and placed her hand in his. It wasn’t just a business gesture. It was a silent agreement of mutual respect, two giants recognizing each other’s strength. Their hands met with a firm, unwavering grip. It was brief, but the weight it carried was undeniable.
"We’ll make history with this project," Cora said softly, her eyes holding his with calm certainty.
Robert smiled, his grip firm but respectful. "And I’m looking forward to every step of it."
Malisa, watching the scene from the side, couldn’t help but feel both impressed and amused. She had expected the meeting to be intense, perhaps even rigid, but what unfolded was fluid, authentic, and dare she admit it, kind of beautiful. There was a rare harmony between Cora and Robert.
Clapping her hands together lightly with a small grin, Malisa then chimed in, "Okay, okay, a handshake is good and all, but come on... This kind of partnership? This kind of magnitude? You both seriously want to close it with just a handshake?"
Cora and Robert turned toward her with curious expressions.
Malisa continued with a playful but pointed tone, "How about we seal this deal over dinner? Something proper. Something memorable. The kind of dinner anyone will tell their grandkids about when they ask how the city was built."
She raised her brows dramatically, adding, "Because honestly, if I was involved in a deal like this, I’d want to celebrate it with more than just palm-to-palm contact."