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Towards us.
“Here we go,” Jack murmurs. He presses the second glass of champagne into my hand, forcing me to accept it. “Chill out, Bryce, and get ready for toasting.”
Bill reaches us before I can put the glass down.
“Mr Reid,” he says.
Jack’s smile is his trademark smirk.
“Mr Parker.”
Bill’s smile is rigid. Years of boardrooms, negotiations and society dinners have trained every trace of emotion from it.
His gaze settles on Jack’s paddle.
“You came remarkably close to a win there.”
“I did,” Jack replies. “Ms Mercer took the victory, though.”
“Such a shame for you to lose at the final hurdle.”
His sympathy is beautifully performed, but it doesn’t stop the hawk-eyed glare in his eyes.
Jack takes a sip of champagne.
“Don’t worry. There’ll be plenty more opportunities.”
Bill’s eyes stay fixed on Jack.
“Opportunities to acquire Alice’s work?”
Jack smirks. “Oh, I imagine there will be opportunities of all kinds. Your daughter has such vibrancy. Such incredible… talent.” He takes another sip of champagne. “She’s entering a very successful stage of her career. Tonight is only the beginning.”
Bill looks over at Alice
“My daughter has always been talented. Right from when she was young. One sale does not establish a career, though,” he says.
“No, but one point two five million is a sweet place to start. She’s been put on the map. No doubt about that.”
Bill’s eyes flick back to Jack.
“It always helps when someone is prepared to push the bidding so enthusiastically.”
“Every bid I placed was genuine,” Jack says, smile dropping.
“But you withdrew.”
“What can I say? Helena clearly needed this piece more. It’s hers to enjoy. Her soul’s calling.”
“How convenient.”
They stare at one another.
I should intervene. Say something calm. Professional. Create a bridge neither of them wants but might use to retreat.
But I don’t.
Bill’s demeanour reaches the depths of me. Stirring the pot of animosity I’ve been facing off for weeks.
