<div class="floatright">(https://i.ebayimg.com/images/g/ZQ8AAOSwjVVVzmh0/s-l300.jpg)</div>The glass accepted from Peter, Olivia fell into line raising her own, a nod, a tilt of her head and a friendly smile, sharing the toast. Had Olivia been in her environment, with her own people and a setting of her choosing, she might well have shamelessly blended her comment about a drink along with the arrival of the blonde beauty.<br/><br/><em>I'll have one of those.</em>was a thought that passed through her mind as Jaclyn approached, but it went unspoken, one of the many little teases that simply made up Olivia's competitive character. Instead, the words she did speak were simply in support of the toast.<br/><br/><em>"Here here."</em>- She murmured in passing, almost cringing as if needing to hear her own voice for the time being. She really didn't spend to much time around talkative folks, and there was something about Peter's demeanor that almost lifted the cheery bar of the room. To say nothing for a long period of time might bring down the mood. It was a change of pace for Olivia who, quite often with her smile, partial wink and promising smile could convey any message she wanted.<br/><br/>Sampling her drink, she eyed Peter, then Jaclyn. The gaze afforded to the blonde a little longer on instinct, having been talking to Peter during her absence. Not to mention the attention he called to her outfit.<br/><br/><em>Besides... You can never have too many friends.</em><br/><br/>As Peter gave them a rundown about the club, Olivia found herself scanning the place and doing what she did best. Listening. It was an interesting spot, and Olivia wondered if it might be one of those places where she could indulge in her own little pleasures. She'd seen other clubs before, drawn in by exclusivity and elegance, a promise of confidentiality and discretion. Everywhere you looked these days, there was a club for this, or a group for that. With enough wealth and the right connections, it was amazing what someone could buy.<br/><br/>Olivia followed Peter to the table, allowing her pace to match Jaclyn's, lingering just a little behind as she looked around, intent on leaving the blonde with her first choice of the chair. Settling into the chair offered to her, Olivia's head bowed slightly, her own warm smile as she cleared her throat, put down her empty glass and and began to give a little look into her life.<br/><br/><span class="bbc_size" style="font-size: 12pt;">"Well first of all... I'd like to come out of the gate by saying I don't have any illusions about my reputation. I've been fairly active in a number of interesting acquisitions lately..."</span><br/><br/><em>Acquisitions. Yes. Technically they were hostile takeovers. And 'interesting' in that she got amazing sweetheart deals due to her practices allowing her to blackmail, intimidate and pressure her competitors into submission. <br/><br/>But you know... potato ... potato?</em><br/><br/><span class="bbc_size" style="font-size: 12pt;">"I'm a bit of a collector at heart. I see something I want and I... have to have it."</span>She paused, the line lingering a bit more ominously by itself than it should.<br/><br/><span class="bbc_size" style="font-size: 12pt;">"My story isn't really all that interesting from the start to be honest. I wish I could say I was a grinder, a go-getter from the start, all the passion and heart of a Rocky Balboa movie... but honestly, I was lucky. Took a few good gambles with family money that paid off, and managed to dodge a few bullets. Next thing you know, here I am.<br/><br/>I will admit though... I haven't looked back. There are some things money can't buy... and that's actually what brought me here to meet with you both. It feels good to do good. And in a way... those of us blessed with more have a responsibility to do more. It's... I think I can say without sounding too presumptuous... a pleasure to meet a few like-minded good souls."</span><br/><br/><em>She might... just... be sick if she had to peddle the sanctimonious mumbo jumbo for another minute.<br/><br/>But hey... it was the opening salvo. First impressions mattered, and once she had them where she wanted them, she could show her true colors, but for now... she'd play the role as well as the next person.</em>