The next day after Roman's visit, Annabel went to talk to her aunt, Janice. She found her sitting by the pool side. The air smelled of chlorine and freshly cut grass, as well as the faint scent of citrus from Aunt Janice's perfume. Janice was sitting on the edge of a lounge chair and holding a glass of gin and tonic. Annabel sat beside her."Aunt Jan," Annabel called. Janice looked at her. "What was that about yesterday?""What was what about?" Janice feigned ignorance. Annabel sighed. "You ambushed my boyfriend back there with your weird questions. You've never done that before, why did you have to do it today? It was so embarrassing."Janice chuckled. "Oh, that? How's that embarrassing? I was only looking out for you.""And you went about it wrongly. That was his first time here as my boyfriend, and you talked about how expensive his watch is. That is just wrong, Aunt Jan." Annabel's anger was visible now. "You know you could have just let it be a nice day. Now it looks like you'

Thursday was fast to come by. The Valey brothers were already in Roman’s office at exactly 10 AM on that day. Roman, as usual, was sitting opposite them. "Gentlemen," Roman greeted them. "Let’s make this quick. I’ve got lunch plans." Pope chuckled and it sounded like gravel against a shovel. "Always the busy man, Mr Averne. But then again, time is money." Roman smirked. "And money’s what we’re here to talk about, isn’t it?" Prance nodded enthusiastically. "Yes, yes." He immediately went to the details without waiting for his brothers' approval. "We have gotten the manufacturing plants lined up already. So all we need now is your signature next week, and we can start rolling out the first prototypes." Roman nodded. "And the branding?" Dexter immediately answered, as if he was in a competition with Prance that he wanted to win. "Anonymous launch, just like we discussed. We need the rumors to start circulating that Averne company is backing it, then you step in and confirm. Lim