As Arnold put it, Starlight's equity was nothing to him.
What he actually wanted was the product patent I was bundling with the share transfer.
It was a surprise I'd secretly prepared for Elwin, meant to celebrate today's IPO.
Too bad. He'd missed his chance.
I didn't mind selling it to Arnold at a premium—and throwing in the Starlight shares as a bonus for him to play with.
Whatever he did with them was no longer my concern.
Arnold's response was immediate:
"Time and place. I'm on my way."
While Elwin and Valerie celebrated their engagement upstairs, Arnold and I signed the contract in the ground-floor café.
Once the money hit my account, we raised our glasses in a toast.
But Elwin, still fixated on getting me to sign that nominee shareholder agreement today, had sent someone to find me in the restroom.
When Phineas Sullivan spotted me downstairs with Arnold, he immediately ran to fetch his boss.
"Maureen! What the hell is this?"
I didn't spare Elwin a single glance. I clinked glasses with Arnold again.
"Mr. Delgado, here's to a successful partnership."
Being ignored made a vein throb at Elwin's temple.
"Maureen, what kind of deal did you make with him? You know he's my enemy!"