Maddox’s POV
The Ashford Music Studio sat on a quiet, high-end corner of the art district. It was an ambitious space, still raw with the scent of fresh lacquer, polished hardwood, and expensive insulation. I stepped through the glass double doors, the ambient noise of the city cutting off instantly as the heavy acoustic design swallowed the sound of my boots.
Gawain and I had been friends for years, which was the only reason I was standing here today. He had invited me out for a private preview before the studio officially opened to the public next month. The Vance estate had a habit of investing in elite cultural spaces, and knowing Gawain's reputation, I expected this new venture to be a prime asset for our portfolio. This was a standard corporate walkthrough where I would look at the
