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“Hell’s bells,” I muttered.
“Indeed.”
“When did you find out?” I moved to the small closet and plucked out my best power dress, a fitted long-sleeve navy blue number with subtle gold brocade down the center.
“Right before I called you. Pavel Novák called to inform me of this little development.”
My fists tightened around the fabric. “They can’t do this, can they? At this late in the game?”
He half-laughed. “Of course they can. It’s business. Nothing is signed. The Nováks can sell the hotel to their cat if they’re so inclined. That’s why you need to get on this ASAP. Stop this thing right now. You convince them that Arcadia is the one and only right steward of their family legacy.”
Now I was the one laughing incredulously. Now, not only did I have to convince a very reluctant Ondrej to sell, I had to convince him to sell to us and not some very well-known German investor. Great. No problem.
I eyed my dress. “I’ll do everything I can.”
“You better, Sienna. The board will not be happy with either of us if this falls through. K, gotta run. Dinner meeting.”
Before I could say anything else, the line clicked off.
ChapterFifteen
The morning light filtered through the sheer curtains of the hotel's office, casting a warm glow over the documents scattered on the mahogany desk. Ondrej, along with Pavel and Dominika, sat hunched over a particularly thick stack of papers that had arrived unexpectedly. The logo emblazoned on the top sheet—a stark, modernist design—sent a ripple of tension through the room. Wolf Corp, progeny of Greta Wolf, German investor. Ondrej had seen some of the work she’d done in major European cities—taking run-down warehouse neighborhoods and gentrifying them into global hot spots. He liked the work she’d done for the buildings she went after, but he most definitely didn’t want her gutting Novák Hotel.
Pavel's eyes seemed to literally sparkle as he flipped through the pages, fixating on the figures that were significantly higher than what Arcadia Group had put on the table. Dominika's brow furrowed, her lips pursed in concern. Ondrej knew she was probably more on his frequency at that moment than Pavel’s. Selling was one thing, but selling knowing the property could possibly be completely reinvented was another.
A week ago, Ondrej thought he knew exactly what he wanted. Exactly who his enemy was. He thought he would do anything in his power to keep the Novák hotel from selling to Arcadia Corp. But now, staring down the barrel of this new proposal, he was in a tailspin.
Wolf Corp’s presentation unfolded like a well-rehearsed play, each slick PowerPoint slide more imposing than the last.
Ultra-modern amenities. A high-tech gym equipped with state-of-the-art fitness technology. Smart rooms wired with the latest gadgets where everything from lighting to temperature could be controlled with a simple voice command. Their proposal for the rooftop bar was particularly striking, a sleek design promising breathtaking views of Prague's skyline. An architectural metamorphosis that would turn the historic Novák Hotel into a beacon of contemporary luxury, all while “keeping the historic aesthetic.”
As the renderings flashed across the screen, Pavel leaned forward, his eyes calculating, absorbing the numbers and the potential. He was like a chess player envisioning moves ahead, considering the financial gains and global recognition that such a transformation could bring.
Ondrej spared a glance to Dominika, who seemed less convinced. Her fingers nervously twirled a strand of her hair as she watched the heart and soul of their family's heritage being redesigned into something unrecognizable. She glanced at Ondrej, and they shared an uncertain look. The grimace that momentarily crossed her face when they discussed overhauling the vintage ballroom into a modern banquet hall was telling.
Elsa Klein, Wolf Corp Vice President of Acquisitions, went on, waxing lyrical about the company’s vision of profitability and prestige, of rebranding the Novák Hotel, turning it into a magnet for a younger demographic, one that prized digital connectivity and contemporary aesthetics. But to Ondrej, it sounded like the death knell of a cherished era, a final goodbye to the memories and traditions that had defined his family for generations.
“We see the great potential in this beautiful historic hotel,” Elsa said in her clipped German accent. “But of course, you know, the times have changed. To be more than just a bed-and-breakfast, a hostel in the guidebook, you have to offer your guests something more. That is where Wolf Corp comes in. We have been revitalizing dilapidated neighborhoods across Europe for years.”
Ondrej worked his jaw and exchanged a look with Dominika, both of them rolling their eyes slightly at the insinuation that the beautiful hotel in which they lived was somehow akin to some dilapidated warehouse building in Bucharest.
The room was charged with contrasting energies—Pavel's growing enthusiasm, Dominika's increasing apprehension. With every word, Ondrej felt his defenses growing harder and stronger. As he processed Pavel’s reaction and the numbers flashing across the screen, impossibly high numbers, a sinking feeling spread throughout. There was no objection Ondrej could muster that was going to sway Pavel on this matter. He could already see it. The deal was done.
As the final slide faded from the screen, the room settled into a heavy silence, punctuated only by the soft clicks of the presentation equipment cooling down.
“Do we have any questions?” Elsa asked with a tone that suggested nothing more need be said, please sign on the dotted line. She was clearly a woman not used to hearing no.
Dominika cleared her throat, breaking the stillness. "This is all very impressive," she began, her voice steady yet imbued with a hint of trepidation, "but I'm concerned about preserving the essence of the Hotel—the history, the personal experiences that our guests cherish. How do you plan to maintain that?"
Elsa’s sharp blue eyes narrowed with a flicker of annoyance, but she softened and smiled. She exchanged a glance with her colleague in a well-rehearsed dance of corporate synchrony before speaking.
Her response was smooth, the kind of polished assurance perfected in boardrooms and high-stake meetings.
"We understand your concerns. However, the market is evolving. Modern luxury is not just a trend—it's what guests now expect. Even hostels in your city are starting to look like Las Vegas hotel rooms. Our vision is to blend the historical charm of the Novák Hotel with contemporary luxury, offering an experience that is both unique and relevant."
The words were hollow, simply echoing more empty soundbites.
To Ondrej, it was all smoke and mirrors. A well-crafted eulogy to the hotel he knew and loved.
