The announcement of the partnership between Vale Holdings and Ashford Holdings changed more than market expectations. It changed the way people inside both companies thought about the future. For years, employees had focused on surviving fierce competition and protecting their departments. Now they spoke about building together.
Three weeks after the announcement, Lucien and Seraphina boarded an early morning flight to begin the first stage of their joint expansion programme. The destination was not another financial centre. It was a regional city where both companies planned to open a technology training institute for young professionals. As the aircraft climbed above the clouds, Seraphina closed the folder she had been reviewing.
Lucien looked over from the seat beside her. "You have been reading those reports since we left the house."
She smiled. "I wanted to be prepared."
"You already are." He said.
She raised an eyebrow. "You sound very confident."
