Chapter 5 - The Lenderâs DinnerJulianna Ross walked into the barn wearing an expensive mink coat, her sharp eyes scanning the flower arrangements before landing on me with cold, calculating scrutiny.
âHarrison,â Julianna spoke smoothly to the bank officer, âas I mentioned in our board meeting, McAllister Pine Farm lacks modern commercial strategy. Noah is relying on outdated family sentiment rather than corporate structure.â
Harrison Vance adjusted his glasses, looking at the wreaths, then at Noah. âMr. McAllister, the bank board requires proof that your operation has stable long-term leadership before we roll over your two-million-dollar operating line.â
Noah stepped forward, taking my hand firmly in his, interlocking his fingers with mine.
âMcAllister Pine is evolving, Mr. Vance,â Noah stated with absolute confidence. âMy wife, Eleanor, is taking over as Director of Design and Botanical Sales. Her floral designs have already increased our retail pre-orders by forty percent this week.â
Julianna sneered, looking down her nose at my plain wool coat. âWife? I thought Eleanor was just a temporary consultant from Boston.â
Miriam stepped out from the farmhouse kitchen, carrying a tray of hot spiced cider.
âEleanor has been Noahâs wife for ten years, Julianna,â Miriam announced, her voice booming with matriarchal authority across the barn. âAnd she is the best thing that ever happened to this land. Dinner is served in the main house.â
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Juliannaâs face flushed red with irritation, while Harrison Vance raised an eyebrow in intrigue.
The lenderâs dinner was set.
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