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“You want me and Juliette tocompetefor CEO?” he asked.
“I want to ensure that I’m turning over my company to the right person.” Bruce pursed his lips and squinted at the screen. “Remember when you told me Oceanview was a step down from your other projects? You were right. It’s a nice little complex, but we need to think bigger for such a perfect location. Hence, our plans for a luxury resort right along the Bliss Cove coastline.”
“Also known as a cash cow.” Mark grinned.
“Why the hell didn’t you tell us about this sooner?” Juliette snapped.
Bruce lifted a hand. “Because I wanted you to focus on your jobs. And, as Miss Prescott correctly pointed out, Hunter’s predecessor fucked up the original negotiations by telling the town residents too much about our development plans. I couldn’t risk that again.”
“So you deliberately kept us out of the loop?” Anger flared in Hunter’s gut.
“For your own good.” Another lawyer, Len, arched his brow. “And for confidentiality reasons.”
“After reviewing the architectural designs proposals for the Venture Resort, you will each prepare a presentation for the board of directors,” Bruce explained. “You will assemble a team of designers and contractors, work up detailed blueprints, explain your plans for zoning and permits. Whichever one of you has the best proposal, the one most aligned with Imperial’s goals, will be one step closer to CEO.”
Hunter stood so fast his chair rolled backward. He approached the screen and narrowed his gaze on the sprawling resort located right on the coastline.
“This is one of many proposed designs.” Bruce made a sweeping gesture and advanced to another set of slides. “Now that we’ve softened the residents up and proven we know how to play nice and follow the rules, we’ll hurry and get Oceanview built. They’ll learn how the increased crowds and tourism will benefit their community, and at the right time, we’ll push forward with the Venture Resort and Spa, a luxury getaway resort covering approximately seven acres of land. Our guests will be afforded stunning views of the pristine coastline, exclusive access to private beaches, swimming pools, fine dining. The best part is, we’llstillbe the only player in town.”
Hunter felt Aria’s shock and dismay as if it were tangible. He didn’t dare look at her, knowing he wouldn’t be able to hide what he was feeling. And right now, he had to conceal every shred of emotion.
He pointed at the screen. “There’s a hundred-year-old boardwalk here.”
“That’s a possible location for the spa,” Bruce said. “We can tear down the boardwalk to give us more room for a promenade or perhaps rental cottages. Maybe an infinity pool. This is the kind of thing I want you and Juliette to discuss in your presentations. You’ll also need to work out the details of the private beaches along this area here.”
“The beaches are open to the public.”
“Not when you’re finished with them.” Len tapped his pen on the polished table. “The plan is to privatize some of the redwood forest, too. Our guests will want exclusive hiking and camping sites. We’ll want to advertise all the rejuvenation and wellness crap, as well as shopping a short distance walk at Oceanview Plaza.”
Hunter folded his arms. The imagined hotel was a massive horseshoe with a long drive accessible from Starfish Avenue and a parking lot not far from Mariposa Street. There were multiple buildings, manicured gardens, swimming pools, and pathways to the “private” beaches. There were restaurants, tennis courts, staff accommodations, sports facilities, and a multi-stories spa with a fitness center.
Why the fuck did they need a fitness center?All anyone had to do was walk outside and breathe the ocean air to get the best exercise of their lives.
“Is that a golf course?” Juliette jutted her chin at the design scheme.
“A golflinks,” Mark corrected. “72 par, naturally.”
“You expect to get all the right permits and approval for this?” Hunter asked.
“That’s where you and Juliette have to do your work.” Bruce regarded his daughter. “We anticipate pushback from environmental activists worried about the endangered field mice or whatever, but you should be able to deal with their protests easily enough. Once the residents know about things like projected revenue and job growth, they’ll be salivating to give us their approval.”
He advanced the slide again to a drawing of the resort alongside the completed Oceanview Plaza. “Our projected completion for Oceanview is spring of next year, which means you’ll have plenty of time to charm the townsfolk into seeing the beauty of the Venture Resort. Talk it up as a rustic, eco-friendly resort that’s going to bring a crap ton of employment and revenue to the town. You’ve already earned their trust with Oceanview, so this will be a piece of cake. Tell them you’re all about what’s best for the town.”
“Funny thing is…” Hunter rested his hands on the table and leaned closer to Bruce. “I actuallyamabout what’s best for the town.”
“Sure you are.” Bruce smiled thinly. “I expect you to get Oceanview underway before the month is out.”
“Excuse me.” Aria’s voice cut through the tension-thick air, soft but deadly. Her hands were fisted at her sides, and her eyes blazed. “I guarantee you that the Bliss Cove town council will never approve this kind of monstrosity. Have you forgotten that the Mariposa Business Association hasn’t even voted yet? Do you seriously think they’ll agree to sell their buildings to Imperial, knowing what you have planned?”
“Oh, I’m sorry.” Bruce turned to face her, his brow furrowing with feigned surprise. “Are you under the delusion that you can actually tell anyone about this prior to the vote?”
Hunter stepped toward his boss, every muscle in his body tensing for a fight. Aria’s throat worked with a swallow. Her gaze flitted to Hunter. The glint of fear in her expression almost snapped his self-control.
Almost.
“Miss Prescott, we’ve taken substantial measures to keep this confidential,” Len remarked smoothly as he typed on his laptop. “No one outside of this room, including you, should have known about it. So if you would be good enough to tell us…how, exactly, did you learn of the Venture project?”
Her expression turned icy. “I don’t believe that matters at all.”
