A head of golden, wavy hair, pale green eyes, and skin as smooth as fresh milk.
Oh—and a figure straight out of temptation itself.
With just one glance, Davey spotted exactly who he was here to meet.
She stood out far too much to miss.
So, the saying is true—beautiful women tend to have beautiful friends?
"Hello, are you Miss Stella Rouse?"
Davey stepped forward and asked.
Stella had barely set foot off the train when she saw a young man in a crisp, gentlemanly suit approaching her.
"Hello, I'm Stella Rouse. Just call me Stella. You must be Mr. Callander. Pleasure to meet you."
Looks count for a lot in first impressions.
Stella had expected someone older, probably a pot-bellied middle-aged man—after all, most people who could afford to establish a Security Company looked like that.
Davey's appearance completely overturned her assumptions.
And, of course, doing business with someone young, handsome, and wealthy was always pleasant enough.
After a brief handshake, Davey casually took her suitcase and passed it to one of his men.
"Miss Stella, please come with me. I've prepared a carriage. Valentine is still a short distance from here."
To properly receive her, Davey had rented a luxury carriage at the station—having a lady ride on horseback would hardly be gentlemanly.
Inside the carriage, Davey and Stella sat facing each other. In the slightly cramped space, a faint sense of intimacy seemed to settle between them.
"Ahem. I must say, Miss Stella, I didn't expect you to be so young and beautiful. It's completely different from what I imagined."
Davey cleared his throat and spoke first.
Stella smiled lightly. "I also didn't expect Mr. Callander to be so young. It does make me think… perhaps this Security Company idea isn't a joke after all."
Though she found Davey quite charming, Stella was clearly more concerned with her business at the moment.
Davey said, "Of course it's not a joke. I really do need to establish a Security Company. As you should know, Miss Stella, this is the chaotic and brutal West. I need enough people to protect my business."
"Obviously, opening a Security Company is the best option."
"But as far as I know, establishing one isn't simple. You have to go to the federal capital to register it, and without the right connections, the process is far from easy."
"So, young and beautiful Miss Stella—can I trust you? Catherine spoke very highly of you, but based on what I'm seeing now… I can't say it feels entirely reassuring."
Hearing him question her expertise, Stella immediately shot back, "Mr. Callander, I graduated from the Federal University School of Law. That alone should say plenty."
"But do you understand how difficult it is to open a Security Company? The cost might be far greater than you imagine—including my legal fees."
"In a small ranching town like this, Mr. Callander, how am I supposed to believe you have the funds to pay for all of that?"
The atmosphere turned a shade tense, but Davey didn't seem bothered.
"So, Miss Stella, if I were to hire you, how much would your commission be?" he asked directly.
Stella hesitated, then said, "At least… one thousand dollars."
It was an underquote, certainly. Market rates started at fifteen hundred, and top lawyers could charge two or even three thousand.
She offered a lower price because she suspected Davey's finances might not be strong—and she needed that money to keep her firm running.
Davey heard the number and shook his head.
"Miss Stella, it seems our cooperation won't work out."
"I apologize for making you come all this way for nothing. Later, I'll treat you to a wonderful dinner—and I've prepared a small apology gift for you."
Stella's heart sank. She had placed all her hopes on Davey, only for it to end like this.
So even a thousand dollars was considered a lot in this western backwater?
"Maybe… a little lower, Mr. Callander? How about eight hundred? If that still doesn't work, I could do six hundred."
Gritting her teeth, Stella decided to lower her fee again.
Her law firm hadn't had any income for months, and she had less than a hundred dollars left in her purse.
If she didn't get business soon, she'd have to close her firm and return to her family, accepting her fate as part of a marriage alliance.
As a modern woman, as a member of the Women's Rights Association, she couldn't submit. She had to resist.
Davey heard her words and saw the pleading look in her eyes, leaving him slightly stunned.
"Miss Stella, I'm not joking. I genuinely need to open a Security Company."
"I need that license as soon as possible—not sitting in line and waiting for years. If it costs more, so be it."
"So, Miss Stella, do you understand now? Efficiency is what I demand."