Chapter 16 The ArcStone
Sarah had barely dropped her bag on the chair when there was a knock.
It wasn’t light or casual.
“Come in,” Sarah said, already knowing something was wrong.
Stacy stepped in, holding a thick file to her chest. Her shoulders were stiff. Her lips were pressed tight.
Sarah didn’t sit.
She stayed standing.
“What happened?” she asked.
Stacy closed the door behind her slowly. “I need you to read this.”
She placed the file on the desk.
Sarah stared at it for a second before opening it. Her fingers moved carefully, like she was afraid of what she would find.
The first page made her chest tighten.
Veridian Garden.
Her breath caught.
“No,” Sarah whispered.
Stacy pulled a chair and sat. “They’re being approached.”
Sarah looked up sharply. “By who?”
Stacy hesitated. “ArcStone Interiors. Looks like they're making strong moves there.”
The name landed like a slap.
Sarah dropped the file onto the desk. “You’re joking, are you not?”
“I wish I was,” Stacy said.
Sarah turned away, pacing. “How long has this been happening? And why were we in the dark about it till now?”
“About two weeks,” Stacy replied. “ I think it's vee mostly quiet talks and private meetings. They have the influence to get their attention. But we've worked with these guys before and we've been trying to close this contract for a year now.”
Sarah laughed once, sharp and hollow.
“Two weeks of talking to ArcStone? After a year of dragging us along?”
“They didn’t announce it,” Stacy said. “We only found out this morning.”
Sarah stopped pacing. “Why didn’t they tell us they were talking with ArcStone? We've worked before and they're always transparent.”
Stacy lifted her hands. “Because ArcStone asked for discretion.”
Sarah scoffed. “Of course they did.”
She leaned against the desk. “What exactly are they offering?”
Stacy opened the file again. “Lower upfront costs. Faster delivery. Big celebrity architects attached.”
“Show,” Sarah said. “Noise.”
“Yes,” Stacy agreed. “But Veridian is under pressure.”
“From who?” Sarah asked.
“Investors and timelines. Heck, from even the media,” Stacy said. “They want to break ground fast.”
Sarah shook her head slowly. “We told them from day one that rushing this project would ruin it.”
“I know,” Stacy said gently.
Sarah exhaled. “This contract…”
“It’s worth close to a billion dollars over time,” Stacy finished.
Sarah closed her eyes.
A billion dollars.
Global recognition.
Everything she had been building toward.
“If we land this,” Sarah said quietly, “we stop being just another firm.”
Stacy nodded. “You become the standard.”
“And if we lose it?” Sarah asked.
Stacy didn’t answer.
Sarah opened her eyes. “Say it.”
“If we lose it,” Stacy said carefully, “ArcStone stays the face of luxury eco design without competition.”
Sarah clenched her jaw.
“I’ve followed Veridian for over a year,” she said. “I’ve walked their land. Learned their vision. Adjusted my designs for their values.”
“I know,” Stacy said. “You’ve given them patience.”
“And they reward me by flirting with the first loud firm that throws money at them?” Sarah snapped.
Stacy stood. “They’re scared.”
“Of what?”
“Of waiting,” Stacy said. “Or maybe it's the fear of missing their moment.”
Sarah laughed bitterly.
“I waited through a marriage that drained me dry. I waited through court threats. I waited through investors who doubted me.”
She turned sharply. “I will not be patient while someone tries to steal my future.”
Stacy met her gaze. “Then we get it. We close the contract and have it permanently. We should fight.”
Sarah straightened. “We don’t fight.”
Stacy frowned. “What?”
“We remind them,” Sarah said slowly, “why they chose us first.”
She walked to the design board on the wall. Renderings of Veridian Garden filled the space.
“This,” she said, pointing, “was never about speed.”
Stacy stepped closer. “ArcStone will promise quick results.”
“And they will deliver chaos,” Sarah replied. “We offer longevity.”
Stacy folded her arms. “They might try to pressure you.”
“They always do,” Sarah said. “And I never bend.”
There was a pause.
“When can you meet their agent?” Sarah asked.
“He’s returning on Thursday,” Stacy said. “I can set it up.”
“No,” Sarah said. “You WILL set it up.”
Stacy smiled slightly. “In person?”
“Yes,” Sarah replied. “No calls. No assistants.”
“Just you?”
“Just me,” Sarah said. “They need to see who they’re dealing with again. It's been a while since we stopped hovering around them.”
Stacy studied her. “Are you ready for that?”
Sarah looked at her. “I’ve been ready for a year.”
Stacy hesitated. “You’ve had a lot going on.”
Sarah’s jaw tightened. “This company doesn’t stop because my life is messy. And when Veridian first wanted us, I was finalizing my divorce. I can't think of a time that will possibly be more messy.”
“I’m not saying it does have to be at a perfect time,” Stacy said softly. “I’m saying they might sense weakness.”
Sarah laughed quietly. “Everyone smells blood when a woman stands alone.”
Stacy didn’t argue.
“I won’t give them blood,” Sarah continued. “I’ll give them the clarity they need and get the agent to start telling me the right things.”
She walked back to her desk and sat. “What angle is ArcStone using?”
“Price,” Stacy said. “And speed.”
“Then we talk value,” Sarah replied.
Stacy nodded. “They might ask why you delayed some approvals.”
“I’ll tell them the truth,” Sarah said. “Because I refused to compromise their vision.”
Stacy smiled. “That’s risky.”
“So is choosing the wrong firm,” Sarah said.
There was a knock at the door.
“Later,” Sarah called.
The knock came again.
Sarah sighed. “What is it?”
A junior assistant peeked in. “Sorry, ma’am. There’s a call—”
“Cancel it,” Sarah said without looking up.
The door closed.
Stacy watched her. “You’re serious about this.”
“This contract,” Sarah said, “is not just business.”
Stacy waited.
“It’s proof,” Sarah continued, “that I didn’t build this company by accident.”
Stacy nodded. “Your name will be everywhere.”