Benjamin stepped out of the dark grey BMW 5 series and adjusted the cuff of his white shirt beneath his charcoal-grey suit jacket. The polished body of the car caught the morning sunlight as his driver closed the door behind him.Benjamin glanced toward the entrance of the Camera di Commercio di Roma.The building already had a steady flow of business owners, executives and professionals moving through the doors.He straightened his navy-blue tie.He still wasn't entirely convinced that he needed to be there.The invitation had come from Diamond Capital's managing director, Matteo Rinaldi, who had personally asked him to attend the one-day business workshop.Benjamin had almost declined.Lorenzo had talked him out of it.“You don't need to attend every event,” his advisor had told him two days earlier. “But you need to start meeting people in the business community. You can't build a serious company from behind a desk.”Desmond had been even less diplomatic.“Bro, go.”Benjamin had la

Benjamin looked up from his laptop when Lorenzo Bellini walked into his office, along with two men.Both carried leather briefcases. One was older, perhaps in his late fifties, with silver hair and a dark suit. The other looked younger, probably in his forties, and carried a tablet beneath his arm.Lorenzo stopped beside his desk.“Good afternoon, Benjamin.”“Good afternoon, Lorenzo.”“These are the specialists I promised to bring along for the gold and silver.”Benjamin closed his laptop and sat upright.“Please, sit,” he said to the three men. They took the chairs opposite his desk.Lorenzo gestured toward the older man.“This is Dr. Ciro Geovanni. He specializes in precious-metals custody and institutional bullion management.”The older man offered his hand.“Pleasure to meet you, Mr. Volkov.”Benjamin shook it.“And this is Paolo Ferri. He specializes in bullion logistics, security and transportation.”Paolo nodded.“Good afternoon.”“Good afternoon.”Benjamin leaned back.“So, w

Benjamin left the house at exactly 6:00 p.m.He had checked the route twice before leaving. The drive to Ella's house should take at least thirty minutes, and he did not want to arrive late.He had dressed with more care than usual, though he had deliberately avoided looking as if he were trying too hard.He wore a perfectly fitted charcoal-gray suit over a crisp white shirt. He left the tie at home and wore the shirt with the top button undone. A slim silver watch rested around his wrist, while polished black leather loafers completed the outfit.Nothing about the clothes screamed for attention.The quality did.He picked up his car keys and headed outside.His Bentley Flying Spur waited in the driveway.Benjamin opened the driver's door, settled behind the wheel and started the engine.As the car moved through Parioli, he found himself checking the time more than once.He smiled at himself.It was only dinner.At least that was what he kept telling himself.By the time he turned ont

Lorenzo Bellini placed a thick black folder on Benjamin's desk.“This is everything we have on the hotel group.”Benjamin looked at the folder, then at Desmond, who sat across from him.“How much?” Desmond asked.Lorenzo pulled out a chair.“Before we discuss the price, I suggest you understand what you're investing into.”Desmond leaned back, and said, “that's good, let's hear it.”Lorenzo opened the folder.“The company operates several luxury hotels across Italy. Most are in established tourist and business markets. Rome, Milan, Florence, Venice and a few other locations.”Benjamin picked up the first document.“Who owns it?”“A private family group. The family has controlled the company for decades. They don't want to sell.”“Then why are they looking for capital?”“Expansion.”Lorenzo turned another page.“They want to acquire additional properties, renovate some existing hotels and enter two new markets. Their current financing structure can support normal operations, but it can

The conference room at Valmont Group's headquarters in EUR was quiet when Benjamin took his seat.Desmond sat beside him.Lorenzo Bellini sat across the table with a folder open in front of him.At exactly ten o'clock, Ruby opened the door.“Mr. Volkov, they're here.”Benjamin stood.“Thank you, Ruby.”Three people entered behind her.The woman in front extended her hand.“Good morning, Mr. Volkov. I'm Chiara Giuseppe, Imperial Hospitality Group’s chief financial officer.”Benjamin shook her hand.“Good morning.”She turned slightly.“This is Luca Cesare, our director of operations, and Arrigo Rossi, our financial director.”Benjamin greeted both men before gesturing toward the chairs.“Please, have a seat.”They settled around the table.Chiara placed a leather folder in front of her.“Thank you for receiving us.”“Thank you for coming.”The introductions were brief.Chiara opened her folder.“As Lorenzo explained, Imperial Hospitality Group is seeking new capital to support our next