ushernet Chapter 87 Invitation That Started It
Chapter 87 Invitation That Started It
The meeting finally wrapped up, contracts signed, and Cassidy officially installed as the head of Infinity Holdings. The conference room had emptied, but the charged energy lingered, like everyone knew they'd just witnessed something monumental. Parker had just locked down the most elite team imaginable—Ava Klein, Alina, Claire, and now Cassidy Reed.
Outside the glass doors, the city buzzed in its usual New York chaos, horns blaring, people weaving through the sidewalks with a rhythm only locals understood. Yet, inside the sleek marble lobby of the building, everything felt... still. Controlled.
Parker adjusted his blazer, exhaling slowly as he walked out with Ava beside him, her sharp heels clicking in sync with his stride. Cassidy followed a few steps back, silent but poised, her arms crossed under her chest. Alina and Claire, whispering to each other as they trailed behind, kept sharing amused glances—like they knew something he didn't.
"Alright," Ava finally broke the silence. "We're celebrating, no debate. You just pulled off a hell of a win today, Parker. And I don't do boring toasts at stuffy lounges. We need something... proper."
Parker raised a brow. "Proper as in...?"
"Fun, classy, and borderline unforgettable," Ava said with a mischievous grin, tucking her hair behind her ear as she shot a glance at Cassidy. "Ladies' choice. We'll make a night of it."@@@@
Cassidy blinked, clearly caught off guard by the sudden shift from business to pleasure. She opened her mouth like she might object—then thought better of it.
Claire chimed in, eyes practically sparkling. "Empire Room. Rooftop views. Live jazz. Exclusive enough to feel fancy, but they know how to party."
Alina nodded. "Plus, bottle service and a private VIP section if we want it. Views of the whole city too."
Parker smirked but gave a hesitant shake of his head. "I don't know—"
"Oh, no, no, no," Ava interrupted, stepping in front of him with a mock gasp. "You just signed a billion-dollar deal today and yesterday, Parker. You've got the best damn legal team on your payroll. You're practically collecting power moves. Let us celebrate you for once."
Cassidy, silent until now, finally added, "It's a win, Parker. You can let loose for a few hours, can't you?"
Damn it.
Parker sighed, running a hand through his hair. They had a point. And hell, it wasn't like he could just keep working through every success. Still...celebrations meant attention. He hated attention.
But as he looked around—at Ava's expectant stare, Alina and Claire's subtle grins, and Cassidy's cool, unreadable expression—he knew he wasn't winning this argument.
But her gaze kept drifting toward him.
And he noticed.
"Not bad, huh?" Ava leaned in, smirking as she nudged his shoulder.
Parker huffed a laugh. "Yeah, yeah. You win."
"Damn right, I do." She clinked her glass against his. "Now tell me you're having fun, or I'm ordering shots."
He almost replied when Cassidy spoke, voice cutting in smoothly, "You're not a fan of nights like these, huh?" Experience new stories on My Virtual Library Empire
Parker's eyes narrowed slightly, unsure if she was teasing or just genuinely curious. "I... prefer low-key. This whole 'center of attention' thing isn't really my vibe."
Cassidy tilted her head, those sharp eyes studying him again. "Yeah? Could've fooled me with the billionaire power moves today."
Parker blinked, caught off guard. "That was business."
"And this," Cassidy gestured around the room, "is part of it. Like it or not, you're a name now. People are gonna watch. They're likely gonna talk too. Might as well own it."
He didn't have a snappy comeback for that. Damn it.
But then Claire raised her glass from across the table. "To Parker. To Infinity Holdings. And to a damn millionaire successful future."
Everyone lifted their drinks in unison, the clinking echoing softly. Even Parker felt a rare, genuine smile tug at his lips.
Maybe this celebration thing wasn't so bad after all.
Parker didn't know the end of this celebration had led to something he hadn't expected to happen.