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No. Surely the park was protected by the government and it would stop them from building a glass and steel tower.
What about the other amazing places she’d visited? The chalet in Sweden? Would new owners get rid of its folksy charm? How could she risk her father’s legacy like that? The decades he’d taken to build what he’d left to her?
But why on earth had he left it to her? It wasn’t as if he’d been preparing her, or had given her any indication he’d planned for her to take over anytime in the near future. His death had been sudden, but still. He’d known he was getting up there in age. Would he have wanted her to sell it so she didn’t have to work a day in her life? He had always spoiled her. But he hadn’t trained an associate to take over either.
Now that she thought about it, her dad hadn’t planned well at all.
She sighed and set her coffee mug on the gr
ound with her empty plate. After tucking her legs underneath her, she leaned back and shut her eyes. Could she really just auction off her dad’s passion to the highest bidder? Just like that?
The alternative wasn’t any better. Her running the company. She laughed inwardly. Would taking over destroy everything he’d built? She’d fuck it up. She had education but no business experience, nothing that gave her any right to run it.
Maybe she should call a meeting with her dad’s advisors. They’d know what to do. Maybe they wouldn’t mind teaching her. She’d met one or two briefly before. Though at the time, they’d looked down on her like she was a child, surely now they’d have some respect. She could very well end up being their boss.
Her phone beeped, startling her. She’d forgotten she’d tucked it into the waistband of her pants. She dug it out then looked down, expecting to see Luke’s name pop up. But it was her mother.
Where are you???
As annoying as her mother was, Ophelia did sort of feel guilty disappearing without telling anyone. She had no interest in dealing with her mother right now, but to ease her conscience, she texted her back.
Needed a few days to think. I’ll be back soon.
Her mom texted back right away and immediately Ophelia regretted answering her.
New offer for the company. 300 million!!! If you don’t jump on this now Ophelia, you’re dumber than you look.
She flinched. Wow. “Fuck you too, Mom,” she muttered.
Three hundred million. Shit, that was a lot of money. She typed back, Who are the buyers?
She drummed her fingers on the armrest while she waited for an answer.
Some company out of Europe. They want to rebrand. Make it more modern.
Ophelia grimaced. That was exactly what she was afraid of. What was wrong with his brand now? People loved him. They loved his hotels. Why change anything? She pictured her last name in lights on top of some spacey looking resort and it made her want to gag. Her father would be rolling in his grave. Although they’d probably ditch the Covington name too.
But three hundred million. The other offer would probably change less, but was substantially lower. Her mother would never forgive her.
Shit. Who was telling her mother company business, anyway? And why did her mother know about this offer when no one had told Ophelia first? She was the one who owned it all. Who the hell was interfering?
Her phone beeped again.
Well???
Her chest tightened and her fingers suddenly stopped working. Anxiety rose, tying a knot in her belly. Crap. She really didn’t want to do this right now. Not while she was with Luke. Not while she was so in touch with the memory of her dad.
Tears threatened but she held them back.
Finally, she forced her fingers to move. I have to think about it.
She choked back a sob and shut her eyes again, concentrating on the fresh smell of the air.
“There you are,” a voice interrupted.
Her eyes popped open.
Luke smiled down at her from in front of her chair. “I was looking for you.”
