Page 90 of Love Walks In


Font Size:  

A few people in the front row glanced at each other.

“Profit.” Hunter approached the podium again. “Revenue. Tourism. Oceanview Plaza will bring all of these things not only to Mariposa Street, but to the entire town. However, Imperial Properties won’t stop there. Oceanview is only the beginning of what we consider a complete renovation of this town. We haveplans, ladies and gentlemen. You’re going to love them.”

The crowd stirred, murmurs rising. Bruce skimmed his gaze over the audience, his expression warily hopeful.

“As I always say, the bigger the plans, the bigger the profit.” Hunter clicked a remote control on the podium. “This is Imperial’s biggest plan for the West Coast yet.”

The audience’s attention snapped to the screen, where a huge artistic rendering of the sprawling Venture Resort was displayed.

“We plan to buildthis, the luxury, full-service Venture Resort and Spa, on the coastline right near the boardwalk.” Hunter extended his arm to the screen as if he were showing off a new car.

Aria’s heart almost stopped. Bruce’s eyes widened. The lawyers blanched. Juliette grabbed her father’s arm.

“You’ll be delighted to learn about the proposed golf course, the private beaches, the tennis courts and high-rise towers that will give guests incredible views of the coast.” Hunter waited for a rustle of whispers to quiet. “Both Oceanview and the Venture Resort will provide Bliss Cove residents with many employment and partnership opportunities, which could lead to exclusive contracts and investment in new factories. That’s just the start of our plans.”

A smile stretched across Bruce’s face. “All for the good of Bliss Cove, of course.”

A few people in the front row frowned, looking at the screen and whispering to each other. Bruce’s smile began to fade. Aria couldn’t think past her shock.

“Mostly good,” Hunter allowed. “We’ll unfortunately be forced to increase taxes and establish fees for things that are currently free, like park and beach access. Likely we’ll need to increase costs for municipal services and rezone the boundaries of the public open spaces as well, but I’m sure you’ll agree that’s a small price to pay for what the Venture Resort and Spa will bring to Bliss Cove.”

“Wait a second.” Nico stood, his face creased into a frown. “You never said anything about aresortbeing part of your plan.”

“We were waiting for the right time,” Hunter replied smoothly. “Oceanview is our litmus test, if you will. Once Bliss Cove residents see how much good a large development does for the town, you’ll have no problem turning over the coastline to us. This is the perfect time for you to discover how a change of plans can change the future.”

“Excuse me.” Bruce rose, his smile gleaming. “I don’t believe Mr. Armstrong is explaining this very well.”

“On the contrary, it’s quite accurate.” Juliette folded her arms.

“It’s only fair that you all know what Imperial is planning,” Hunter informed the audience. “Yes, we’ll make changes. I mean, who needs a hundred-year-old boardwalk anyway, and the lighthouse is just a blight on the landscape. But all of our changes will be in the name of profit and modernization. New roads to accommodate increased traffic. Zoning and infrastructure modifications. By turning Bliss Cove into a mecca on the Pacific Coast, the Venture Resort and Spa will make this…” he underlined the dollar sign on the whiteboard, “…our collective future.”

Silence dropped. Aria gripped her shaking hands together. She could practically feel Bruce Sinclair’s anger from across the stage as he conversed in whispers with the lawyers.

Callie and Rory were speaking in low voices, their heads bent. Brooke scribbled furiously on her notepad. Nico was still standing, his frown deepening.

“I must say.” Mayor Bowers stood, her flowered hat obscuring the people behind her. “I don’t like the sound of this.”

“Neither do I!” called a man from the back of the room.

Hunter held up a hand. “I assure you, we will explain everything in much greater detail soon.”

“Imperial Properties is committed to the good of Bliss Cove.” One of the lawyers smoothed down his jacket and swept the crowd with a smile. “We would never do anything without your consultation and approval. Though Mr. Armstrong’s speech was a bit…er, uneven, there’s no question that a well-planned development will do wonders for the town’s economy.”

“Mr. Armstrong, do you have anything further to say?” Nico approached the podium, casting Aria a quick glance. “Miss Prescott? If you can both keep it to the topic at hand, which is Oceanview, we can open the floor for questions.”

“I’d like to place my vote.” Destiny stood, straightening her blazer. “The Mariposa Association members have heard all the pros and cons about Oceanview…ratherad nauseum, if you want the truth. Since we’re the ones making the decision about selling, we don’t need to hear anything further.”

“Agreed.” Lois got to her feet, with Ray standing beside her.

“I’m ready to vote, too.” Gary stepped out of the row of chairs to let Lois and Roy precede him to the folding table in front of the stage, which held a wooden box and stack of paper ballots.

“All right, then.” Nico indicated that Hunter could sit back down. “Now it’s up to the Mariposa property owners to decide if they want to collectively sell their buildings. It’s a simple yes or no vote. Yes, you agree with the terms offered by Imperial Properties, and you agree to sell your building and land. No, you disagree with the terms and decline to sell your building. Should Mr. Armstrong obtain eighty percent or more of the association votes—that is twelve out of fifteen votes—the Oceanview Plaza project is approved. We’ll tally the ballots immediately following the voting.”

Though only fifteen members of the audience would be voting, the entire room fell silent. Aria’s heart began a low, heavy thumping. She walked toward the stage steps. As she passed Hunter, he brushed his hand against hers.

Unable to bring herself to look at him or anyone else, she took her place in line beside the voting table. She closed her shaking fingers around a pen and marked her ballot. After slipping it into the box, she returned to her chair onstage.

“Here.” Callie appeared at her side and extended a cold bottle of water. “You were amazing. You have a true gift for public speaking.”

Source: www.allfreenovel.com
Articles you may like