Zack shot Ethan a smirk before answering, "I''m doing it with one of my friends, he''s an investor."

    The woman on the other end of the line let out a soft laugh. "Now that is interesting. I''m intrigued to know more about what I''m about to put my hands on and this.... Friend of yours. When''s the meeting?"

    Zack glanced at Ethan for confirmation.

    Ethan, still relaxed in his seat, simply raised two fingers — two hours from now.

    "Two hours," Zack relayed. "Fancy restaurant, private dining area. You in?"

    "Send me the location," she said smoothly. "I''ll be there."

    The call ended, and Zack let out a satisfied chuckle, slipping his phone back into his pocket.

    "And that, my friend, is how you make things happen."

    Ethan exhaled, standing up from his chair. "We''ll see how the meeting goes first."

    With that, they left the resort behind, heading back to Ethan''s Porsche.

    The drive to the restaurant was smooth, the city lights starting to flicker on as the sun dipped lower into the horizon.

    The restaurant they had chosen was one of the most exclusive in the area — high-end clientele, strict reservations, and a reputation for privacy.

    As they walked in, a hostess greeted them with a polite nod before leading them toward a secluded area, away from the general guests.

    The ambiance was elegant but modern, a mix of warm lighting and sleek de?cor.

    Minutes later, their guest arrived.

    She walked in with effortless grace, dressed in a form-fitting black outfit that was both stylish and commanding.

    Her red hair cascaded in perfect waves, and her confidence was evident in the way she carried herself.

    As she approached their table, her sharp green eyes flicked between the two men before settling on Zack.

    "I assume you''re the one behind this meeting?" she asked smoothly.

    Zack chuckled before Ethan could respond. "Oh, he''s not shy. He just likes to observe before he speaks."

    Ethan finally looked up from his menu, meeting her gaze with a calm expression. "I prefer to listen first," he said simply.

    She smirked, leaning in slightly. "And what have you learned about me so far, Ethan Grey?"

    She said his name deliberately, as if testing it on her tongue.

    Zack shot Ethan a glance, as if warning him to be careful.

    He had already told Ethan that this woman was a flirt, and it was clear she liked to push buttons just to see how people reacted.

    Ethan didn''t rise to the bait.

    Instead, he set his menu down and met her gaze evenly.

    "You like attention, but only on your terms. You enjoy being in control of conversations, and you test people to see how they react to you. But when it comes to business, you take things seriously."

    She raised an eyebrow, clearly impressed. "Not bad. You get all that from just a few minutes?"

    Ethan gave a small shrug. "I pay attention."

    Zack laughed, shaking his head. "See? Told you he wasn''t shy."

    The waiter arrived, and they placed their orders.

    The conversation shifted to lighter topics — entertainment, travel, and some of the more outrageous things they had witnessed in the city''s high society.

    Ethan remained engaged but reserved, letting Zack and their guest carry most of the conversation while he observed.

    Halfway through the meal, she glanced at Ethan again. "So, if you''re always this quiet, does that mean you don''t date much?"

    Zack nearly choked on his drink, coughing as he tried to suppress his laughter.

    Ethan, on the other hand, remained unbothered.

    He wiped his mouth with a napkin before answering. "I don''t waste time on things that don''t interest me."