r twisted in his chest. It wasn't just Lila Bennett's refusal; it was the memories Willow's Corner brought back to the surface. Memories buried ove

tary, Sarah, came breezing into the office as always with that effic

body's waiting," she said, hold

dened his features into his usual mask o

heels clicking softly on the floor as she clutched the prescribed documents and his laptop. She didn't say much. She rarely did, but

ide. It had a long, polished table around which plush chairs were lined. A view of the city skyline came in, but the people sitting at the table were

lawyers, and project managers as he took his seat at the head

before speaking, "Ladies and gentlemen, my gratitude for your time. I kno

ty properties required for Project X have been acquired. Compensation has been given t

measured tone, yet the tension in the room was palpable-the man sitting two chairs down from him on the left

great victory," Halter's incredulou

lity. "Five? Twenty, wasn't it? "Then don't tell us you now ha

alter, who had made it clear from the very beginning that he thought Grayson wouldn't be able to pul

any further. Obtaining these assets is a delicate process, and terms must be mutually agr

you don't leave them open for interpretation. But since you had to know, the investors here have had interesting rese

bbed in concurrence. Under the table, Grayson's fingers made two

about?" Grayson asked

ent, and the investors have decided that I'm more fit to handle the acquisitions. In fact, he gestured to

calm as it processed what he was facing. Glancing around at the corner of his eyes, he saw Sarah's expressi

You have it. But know this: If you guys cannot consolidate the remaining fifteen properties in the next m

heavy in the air. For a split second, Halte

a voice with just a s

e out of the room, his movements brisk and purposeful. Sarah trailed behind

arah spoke. "I told you Halter wasn

t the anger evident on his face w

desk and folded her arms.

flection staring back at him like a ghost. His mind was already racing ahead, formulating contingencies and str

e words were low but firm: "Now, we wait. And when

in him. "I'll start preparing

hich were sharp and unyielding. Do that, and Sarah kept an

while already shortlist

The Willow's Nook. Halter's meddling was an annoyance, but the refusal of his little

welcome invitatio