“Oh. Have you two met?”
“Not properly,” Daniel answered.
Vanessa straightened.
She recognized the newcomer immediately.
Graham Ellison.
The founder of Everline Data, the technology company whose recent acquisition had become the talk of the local business community.
His photograph had appeared in business magazines. His name was on the invitations. And this extraordinary mansion was his home.
Vanessa had spent the previous evening reading articles about him.
“Mr. Ellison!” she said brightly. “It’s wonderful to meet you.”
Graham gave her a courteous nod.
“And you are?”
“Vanessa Reed. I’m here with Brandon Mitchell.”
“Ah. Brandon works in our business development department.”
“Yes,” Vanessa replied quickly. “He’s doing very important things for the company.”
Graham smiled politely.
“I’m glad he enjoys his work.”
Then he gestured toward Daniel.
“Vanessa, allow me to introduce Daniel Carter, founder and chief executive of Northbridge Technology Group.”
She blinked.
The name meant something.
She’d heard Brandon mention it repeatedly during the previous month.
Northbridge was the company that had acquired Everline Data.
Graham continued.
“Daniel’s company recently completed the acquisition. He’ll be overseeing the integration and leading the combined organization’s strategy.”
Vanessa stared at the man in the black shirt.
Daniel offered his hand.
“Nice to meet you properly, Vanessa.”
She shook it automatically.
Then Graham added, “I’m especially glad you found him. Daniel has been meeting people from Everline before our formal introductions tonight.”
Vanessa’s cheeks turned scarlet.
