Onyx gave Jake a look. “She just thanked you, and that’s how you respond?”

Jake huffed but finally raised his glass and clinked it with Ivy’s—putting the whole Maiden’s Crest episode behind them, at least on the surface.

With the tension eased, Arthur took the opportunity to bring up business, diving into GR Technologies’ plans with Onyx.

Ivy, not directly involved in day-to-day management, stayed quiet behind Arthur, occasionally nodding ...