Chapter 7 - THE BILLIONAIRE WHO OFFERED HER A DIFFERENT FUTURE
Nora met Adrian Vale at a charity planning meeting in Providence.
He was forty-two, the founder of Vale Maritime, and one of the few businessmen who had openly challenged Evan Carlisle's redevelopment plans.
Nora knew his reputation.
Disciplined.
Private.
Difficult to impress.
She expected arrogance.
Instead, Adrian arrived carrying his own coffee and apologized for being four minutes late.
“Traffic,” he said.
Nora smiled.
“An unforgivable offense.”
He laughed.
The meeting concerned a coastal housing initiative.
Nora had volunteered to help organize fundraising events while staying in Rhode Island.
Adrian was the project's largest donor.
During the discussion, Nora identified several weaknesses in the event budget.
Adrian listened.
Then asked, “Have you done this professionally?”
Nora hesitated.
“Not recently.”
“What did you do?”
“I worked in nonprofit development before I married.”
He studied her.
“Why did you stop?”
Nora looked down.
“My husband's career became demanding.”
Adrian nodded.
He didn't ask for more.
After the meeting, he approached her.
“Would you consider consulting for the foundation?”
Nora blinked.
“Me?”
“Yes.”
“I haven't worked full-time in years.”
“You just found three errors our finance team missed.”
She smiled faintly.
“That doesn't make me qualified.”
“No,” Adrian said. “Your experience does.”
Nora looked at him.
For years, Evan had treated her work as a hobby.
Now a stranger was speaking about her abilities as though they mattered.
She swallowed.
“I'd like to think about it.”
Adrian smiled.
“Take your time.”
May you like
And for the first time in months, Nora felt something unfamiliar.
Possibility.
