Blackwood Enterprises

Nathan handed Alexander three meticulously prepared dossiers.

"Alex, these are the three women Victoria wants to invite. All hail from distinguished families and have carved impressive reputations in the music world these past years."

Nathan tapped the top file. "The public might not recognize them, but in elite circles? They're practically royalty. Even turned down an invitation from Maestro Pendleton himself. And this one—"

He flipped to the second file. "Natalie Beaumont, heiress to the Beaumont fortune. Blackwood Enterprises just finalized a partnership with them last month. If you approach Mr. Beaumont directly, he'd likely accommodate your request."

Alexander skimmed the documents with an impassive expression.

Nathan continued, "Lillian Fairchild comes from old money too, though nothing compared to the Blackwoods. Applying some... persuasion through her family shouldn't pose difficulties."

His finger hovered over the third file. "But Genevieve Harrington? That's complicated."

Nathan's brow furrowed. "Her pedigree is impeccable, and rumors say she's being courted by Nathaniel Harrington—eldest son of the Harrington dynasty. Strong-arming her isn't an option."

Alexander's fingers stilled on the page. "Nathaniel's getting engaged?"

"Apparently," Nathan nodded. "He's not getting any younger, and as Harrington Enterprises' heir apparent, it's expected. You're what—five years his junior? He could have a teenager by now."

A sudden realization lit Nathan's features. "Wait—you know Nathaniel, don't you? Why not ask him directly?"

Alexander's jaw tightened. "Whether he and Ms. Harrington are actually engaged remains unconfirmed. Showing up unannounced would be presumptuous at best, offensive at worst."

Nathan conceded the point with a nod.

"How exactly do you know the Harringtons anyway?" he asked curiously. "They're Solmaris aristocracy. Our circles barely overlap."

In terms of corporate influence, Harrington Enterprises dwarfed Blackwood's holdings.

Despite Alexander's meteoric success in recent years, the century-old Harrington dynasty operated on an entirely different scale—particularly under Nathaniel's formidable leadership.

The entire Harrington clan maintained an unusually scandal-free reputation, their unity the envy of rival dynasties.

Alexander set the files aside. "Business trip to Solmaris two years ago. Attended a charity gala where Aurora Harrington was performing. Some drunken aristocrats were harassing her during intermission. I intervened."

That single act had earned him Nathaniel Harrington's personal gratitude—a favor most businessmen would kill for.

Yet Alexander had never cashed it in. He understood the delicate balance of such debts—to be redeemed only when absolutely necessary.

Nathan's eyes gleamed with sudden interest. "They say Aurora's the most exquisite debutante of our generation—a living embodiment of aristocratic perfection. Is she really that breathtaking?"

Alexander answered without inflection: "She is."

Nathan smirked. "More beautiful than Amy?"

He couldn't deny Amy Sinclair's striking beauty—how else could she have captivated Alexander despite her... eccentricities? Though stunning, Nathan had never warmed to her. In terms of talent, Victoria outshone her completely.

Alexander's response came after a beat: "Apples and orchids."

The non-comparison surprised Nathan.

Aurora Harrington's legend preceded her—a polymath prodigy fluent in seven languages, a virtuoso pianist, and reportedly the only woman to ever decline a marriage proposal from a European prince.