章 6: A family gathering

The night wore on, and Julian's thoughts remained consumed by the merger. He excused himself from the club, heading home to prepare for a family gathering the next day. His parents, esteemed members of society, had invited him to dinner at their luxurious residence, and he knew that attendance was mandatory.

Julian lived in a high-rise building, surrounded by opulence and cutting-edge technology. His penthouse apartment was a testament to his success, but also a reflection of his isolated existence. He had few close relationships, and his family was no exception. They were bound together by wealth and status, rather than genuine affection.

The next evening, Julian arrived at his parents' residence, a grandiose mansion that exuded wealth and sophistication. He was greeted by his mother, elegant and poised, and his father, a man of few words but great influence. They were joined by Emily and her family, who were new acquaintances. Julian had never met them before, and his cold personality aura made it clear that he wasn't interested in making small talk.

As they sat down to dinner, Julian's parents introduced him to mia, a talented artist. Julian's gaze met hers, but he quickly looked away, his expression unreadable. Emily seemed taken aback by his aloofness, but she tried to make conversation. Julian responded curtly, his answers brief and dismissive.

The dinner conversation was stilted, with Julian's parents attempting to fill the silence. Mia's parents tried to engage Julian in discussion, but he remained distant, his mind preoccupied with the merger. Mia herself seemed fascinated by Julian's enigmatic presence, but he rebuffed her attempts to connect.

As the evening drew to a close, Julian excused himself, retreating to his penthouse apartment. He felt a sense of relief wash over him, glad to escape the awkwardness of the dinner party.