a/n: I am loving the theories, people! Ya'll are too good at this!

Note: For the record, I am NOT a business person. Seriously, even fundraisers end pitifully for me. xD I'm mainly focused on the relational/comedic elements of this story. So I apologize in advance to you business people for any botching of the specifics. If you have insight you'd like to share, I welcome it heartily!

"Howl's Love Advice"

Chapter 37: Conference

Meanwhile, at Suliman Corp...

President Suliman removed her silver-framed reading glasses and set them beside the revised contract. "We're going to need time to consider this request," she warned the young man seated across the oval conference table.

Justin Tharaldson leaned forward and adjusted his tie. "We are prepared to offer you two weeks."

Suliman felt the gazes of her Board members as she surveyed the Royal Airlines heir. Justin was a confident and intelligent young man, and she liked his good manners, which were remarkable considering his parentage.

"Thank you, Mr. Tharaldson, that is reasonable of you," she told him. "The Board and I would like to discuss this matter promptly. Shall we reconvene on Tuesday?"

"Of course, Madam President. As you wish," Justin replied with a respectful nod.

Suliman clenched her jaw against that old ache in her hip while she watched the other two Royal Airlines representatives follow Justin out of the conference room. The Board of Directors began warming the air with their concerns.

"President Tharaldson is a presumptuous man, forcing our hand like this. I say we withdraw."

"No, it's a good contract. What it offers outweighs any potential negative media coverage."

"I disagree," another woman said. "One month is barely enough time to favorably frame the publicity. If we reveal Howl Pendragon as heir now, we risk unsettling our shareholders."

"Yes, it's too soon. Knowledge of Dr. Pendragon's scandal with Madame Angelique is still lurking out there."

A man snorted. His thin index finger tapped the table. "Hasn't it already been long enough? That was over three years ago. We need this deal to get ahead of our competition."

"Even so, is Howl prepared for his role?"

President Suliman listened to the Board of Directors with a keen ear. President Gerald Tharaldson of the Royal Airlines was putting her in a delicate position by requesting that she announce her heir before sealing their business contract. Hmph, if she wasn't already aware of Gerald's lack of tact, she would be offended by his implication that he thought she could die of old age any day now.

Despite the timing of the unconventional request, Suliman had already been preparing to approach Howl. Howl's contract with her required that he willingly perform his duties as heir when the Board of Directors declared it was time.

But as Suliman lifted her hand to gain the Board's attention, she could only wonder if her grandson would resent her for it.