Magic by Danielle Steel Read Free Book Online Page A

to get to the point, taking a circuitous route rather than a direct one. She had had lunch with him only five days before, and he had said nothing about needing her advice on a serious subject, so whatever had come up must have been very recent. He hesitated for a moment before he answered.
    “I have a problem, or I’m about to. Business isn’t going well, the economy is terrible. Half the countries in Europe are shaky, and no one is making big investments here. The French have been afraid to show wealth for years, because of the tax on large fortunes and personal wealth. They’re investing abroad as much as possible, and hiding their net worth wherever they can. The last thing the French want to do is invest in France and expose themselves to higher taxes. They don’t trust the government.”
    “Are you getting fired?” She looked instantly worried for him. She knew that he did well at the investment firm where he worked, but he had no large personal fortune, and he had a wife and three children to support, and a very comfortable lifestyle. And she knew how generous he was with Valerie, and loved to buy her pretty things, live well, and take her on great vacations. The children were starting to go to private schools, and they had a beautiful apartment in the sixteenth arrondissement, the fanciest part of Paris. Losing his job now would be a major challenge and represent a serious change for them. Valerie had a great job at
Vogue,
but she made far less than he did, since magazines didn’t pay nearly as well. They relied on his income to live. At thirty-nine and thirty-five, they had to make their own money to support their lifestyle, and he had.
    “No, I’m not getting fired. But realistically, I’m never going to make more than I do right now, unless there is a major upturn in the economy, and that’s not going to happen. Not for at least a decade. I can’t complain, I make a very decent salary, but I’m never going to be able to put aside real money for my family, and everything is expensive. And let’s face it, with three children, and a pleasant life, it all adds up. I just can’t see myself ever getting ahead here. If anything, it will get more expensive as the kids grow up, but I don’t see more coming in in the future unless I make a drastic change of some kind. I’ve been thinking about it for the past year, but I couldn’t see a solution. Until now. Beware of what you wish for. I was offered an incredible job three days ago, with a fantastic chance to make some real money. The kind of money I can only dream of here.”
    “What’s the catch?” Chantal knew there always was one. And there had to be for him, or he wouldn’t have looked as worried or wanted her advice. If it was a straight-across move to another firm offering him significantly more, they would have been celebrating, and he would have told her.
    “I’ve had an offer from a very important venture capital firm. They have American partners, and they have been making a fortune. They’ll give me an opportunity to participate, and there is some very major money to be made. The starting salary is fabulous, but the participation they’re offering is even more attractive. It’s just what I need, if I’m ever going to make real money to support my family into the future. It’s a golden opportunity.” But he was tense as the waiter set their food down and walked away, as Chantal waited to hear what was stopping him.
    “Why are we not ordering champagne to celebrate this?” she asked him, as he glanced at her miserably.
    “It’s in China. That’s where the big money is being made these days. They want me to move to Beijing for three to five years. It’s not an easy place to live. I can’t see Valerie wanting to take the children there. She’s in love with Paris, and she loves her job here. It’s a career for her, and she’ll probably end up editor of French
Vogue
one day, but her job is never going to support us, and she knows