Gage carefully helped her into her seat before stepping back.

"Thank you, Brother," Ashley said with a smile.

"I’m glad Miss Ashley finds this place worthwhile," Mr. Lowe said as he took his seat at the head of the table, a position that allowed him to keep all of his guests within his line of sight.

Gage settled into the chair on Ashley’s left, while Gideon casually claimed the seat on her right.

The moment Gideon sat down, he flashed Mr. Lowe a smug smile.

Mr. Lowe’s eyelid twitched slightly, but he chose to ignore him. There was little he could do about Gideon’s presence now. After all, allowing Gideon to participate had been part of their agreement in exchange for what he needed.

For the time being, he could only tolerate the man’s infuriating grin.

"Your arrival is impeccable. Let’s enjoy dinner first before discussing business," Mr. Lowe said.

With a subtle gesture, he signaled the servers to begin presenting the appetizers.

Moments later, a beautifully plated dish was placed before each guest. It was a freshly prepared Australian Coffin Bay Oyster Rockefeller, renowned for its exceptional size and quality. Because of its generous proportions, only a single oyster was served per person.

Atop the oyster sat delicate shavings of white truffle and a small mound of rare Almas caviar, elevating an already luxurious delicacy into something truly extravagant. A thin slice of lemon rested beside the oyster, adding a touch of brightness to the lavish presentation.

It was as though every expensive ingredient one could think of had been carefully assembled onto a single appetizer.

"This looks amazing..." Ashley said as she examined the oyster before her.

The oyster was nearly the size of her palm, forcing her to cut it into smaller pieces before taking a bite. The moment the food touched her tongue, her eyes lit up slightly.

The rich, buttery oyster, the earthy aroma of the white truffle, and the delicate saltiness of the Almas caviar blended together perfectly, creating an explosion of flavors that lingered pleasantly on her palate.

Without hesitation, Ashley took a second bite.

In just a few moments, the massive oyster had disappeared from her plate.

Unfortunately, despite its impressive size, a single oyster was nowhere near enough to satisfy someone with Ashley’s appetite. Still, she understood that fine dining was more about quality than quantity.

If the appetizer was already this delicious, she couldn’t help but look forward to the dishes the chefs would prepare next.

"I never knew Miss Ashley was such a foodie. I’m glad I decided to bring you here instead," Mr. Lowe said with a faint smile as he observed her reaction.

For some reason, he felt an inexplicable sense of familiarity whenever he was around her. It was a strange feeling, one he couldn’t quite explain. Perhaps that was why he had chosen to host her at his private resort, a place he rarely opened to outsiders.

"Indeed, the food is exceptional," Ashley replied with a polite smile. "I’m very grateful that you brought us here. Otherwise, I would never have had the opportunity to experience such remarkable cuisine."

As she spoke, she dabbed the corner of her mouth with a napkin, secretly hoping she hadn’t appeared too eager in front of these influential figures because of the delicious food. Maintaining her composure was important, even if the oyster had nearly made her forget where she was.

"It’s nothing, really. In fact, the reason I invited you here tonight is because of the business proposal you sent me," Mr. Lowe said.

The moment those words left his mouth, the atmosphere around the table subtly changed.

The casual pleasantries and lighthearted conversation came to an end, replaced by the seriousness of a business discussion. Even the relaxed mood created by the exquisite food seemed to fade as everyone turned their attention to the matter at hand.

Ashley straightened slightly in her seat.

"Please, go on," she said, gesturing for him to continue.

"Hmm, I find the proposed profit distribution somewhat unsatisfactory..." Mr. Lowe said, deliberately drawing out his words.

The moment Ashley heard that opening, her heart sank slightly.

She remained composed on the surface, but inwardly, she had a feeling that whatever came next would not be particularly favorable to her side.

Mr. Lowe paused for a moment before continuing.

"However, if this becomes a three-way partnership involving Mr. Walker, the situation changes."

Ashley listened attentively while Gideon remained silent.

"Your company would no longer have to shoulder the entire burden alone. With both of your companies working together, you would be able to offer me a more attractive profit-sharing arrangement while simultaneously distributing the risks among yourselves. Admittedly, I am taking the liberty of tying both your companies to the same venture, but I believe the arrangement would ultimately benefit all three parties."

Mr. Lowe leaned back slightly in his chair.

"As you know, this city, my domain, is currently undergoing significant changes. While I stand at the center of those changes, even my resources have their limits. Developing this city requires more than influence and ambition. It requires capital, manpower, and trustworthy partners."

His gaze swept across the table.

"I need investors who can bring opportunities, businesses, and long-term growth into my territory. In return, those who board this ship with me now will be among the first to enjoy the rewards once everything falls into place."

As his words settled over the table, the servers arrived with the next course.

A fragrant bowl of shark’s fin soup was carefully placed before each guest, its rich aroma drifting through the pavilion and momentarily softening the intensity of the negotiation.

"But don’t worry. Although I’m proposing a three-way business partnership, it will not affect the building and storefront I’m leasing to you," Mr. Lowe said reassuringly. "That arrangement remains unchanged."

He took a measured sip of his soup before continuing.

"However, since your goal is to expand your influence and establish a stronger foothold in this city, it would be beneficial for you to work with both me and Mr. Walker. Such a partnership wouldn’t merely align our interests, it would allow us to leverage each other’s influence, resources, and connections. More importantly, it would discourage those with ulterior motives from targeting any one of us individually."

His gaze swept across the table.

"I’m sure that after our previous meeting, both of you have already uncovered my identity. I am, after all, the uncrowned king of the underground world of this city."

Mr. Lowe’s expression remained calm, but his eyes sharpened.

"While that title sounds impressive, it comes with its own dangers. Countless people covet my position. Some want to replace me, while others would rather see me dead. That’s the reality of the world I live in."

He set down his spoon.

"Just as you seek my protection and influence within this city, I also need something from you. I need the influence and backing of your families. A partnership should be mutually beneficial, not one-sided."

The pavilion fell silent for a moment.

Only now did Ashley fully understand what Gideon and Mr. Lowe had likely discussed behind closed doors during their previous meeting. This was a possibility she had failed to consider, yet in hindsight, it made perfect sense.