Rnd loosened his tie, exhaling heavily. "It''s all about expanding after thepany goes public." His gaze shifted to his eldest daughter. "Vanessa, I heardn''s biotech firm is about to go public. Is that true?"


    Vanessa had already heard about it from Henry and had guessed her father would be interested. She nodded. "Yes, that''s right."


    Rnd leaned in, lowering his voice. "Vanessa, I heard Goodwin & Co. still has some shares left in this round of funding. Can you talk ton for me? See if he can set aside five percent for me?"


    Vanessa knew this was the real reason her father had insisted shee home for dinner. She hesitated, a little uneasy. "Dad, I''m not reallyfortable getting involved in business matters like this."


    "It''s only five percent," Rnd pressed. "For you, it''s just a word, isn''t it? If thispany goes public, the stock will triple, maybe more. This is the kind of sure thing you don''t see twice in a lifetime."


    Even though Faye didn''t know much about business, she understood thatn''spany going public meant the stock would skyrocket.


    "Alright, Dad. I''ll ask," Vanessa agreed, giving a small nod.


    Rnd''s face broke into a broad grin. "That''s my girl."


    That night, the Yeaton family sat down to avish dinner,ughter and warmth filling the room. Just as everyone was settling in, Vanessa''s phone buzzed. She nced at the screen and stood up. "Dad, I need to take this."


    Rnd''s eyes lit up with anticipation. Could it be his wonderful future son-inw already?


    Vanessa stepped outside to answer. It was Henry calling.


    "Hey, Henry. What''s up?"


    "I just got wordn''s decided to postpone Goodwin Pharma Group''s IPO."


    Vanessa''s hand, which had been admiring the sparkle of her ring, froze for a moment. "What? Why?"


    "Apparently, some data needs to be re-audited. Ian says they might have to push the listing back as much as two years." Henry sounded just as puzzled as she felt.


    He was only calling to keep her updated-she''d shown a lot of interest when he''d mentioned it a few days ago.


    "Thanks for letting me know," Vanessa said, smiling into the phone.


    "A new ce just opened downtown-Fairhaven bistro, your favorite. Let''s go together sometime."


    "Sounds good. I should get back—my dad''s waiting for me at dinner."


    "Alright, enjoy. Talk soon," Henry replied, his voice gentle.


    Vanessa hung up and returned to the dining room. Without dy, she passed on Henry''s news to her father.


    "What?" The smile vanished from Rnd''s face. "Who told you that?"


    "Henry just called me. The news is solid."


    Rnd''s mood soured, his jaw tightening. "How could they dy it now? I was counting on getting that five percent! Damn."


    He yanked at his tie, visibly frustrated. All his capital was lined up, and nown was dragging his feet?


    It made no sense. With a new drug nearly ready for release, this was the perfect time to go public. Dying the IPO would hurt Goodwin & Co. too.


    He couldn''t figure it out.


    But there was nothing to be done. He couldn''t me Vanessa; after all,n was the founder of Goodwin Pharma Group. The final decision was his alone.


    And sincen hadn''t married into the Yeatons yet, as a future father-inw, Rnd had no real standing to meddle in Goodwin & Co.''s affairs.


    Three dayster, the business news confirmed it: Goodwin & Co. was officially postponing its IPO. The announcement sent ripples through the financial world and sparked wild spection, but in the end, all exnations rested with Goodwin & Co. itself.