The rich aroma of seared truffles and roasted duck filled the room as the skeleton staff finished setting down the primary course and quietly withdrew. The tension that usually accompanied meetings with Arthur Vale seemed to settle into a more practical, businesslike atmosphere as the three men picked up their cutlery.
"The culinary staff here hasn't lost its touch," Arthur remarked, taking a measured bite of the duck. "Your grandfather always insisted on keeping the original chef from the old estate when he established the Meridian Crown. I'm glad to see you didn't change that when you took over the portfolio."
"There was no reason to alter a working model," Jake replied evenly. "The restaurant performs consistently on its own."
Arthur nodded, looking out through the grand windows at the distant high-rises. "The city is changing fast. I noticed the expansion over at the North Concourse is almost finished. Have you been tracking the retail property slump in that sector?"
