STUCK WITH MR. BILLIONAIRE FOR CHRISTMAS novel Chapter 3

DANTE:

The next day, the office felt different.

Employees avoided eye contact when I walked past. Conversations died mid-sentence. Even the executives moved carefully, speaking in measured tones, correcting themselves before I had to.

Fear.

Good. I'd rather be feared than loved. Fear kept people sharp. Kept them obedient.

I was halfway through a meeting with the finance team when Martin knocked.

"Sir, I need a moment."

I waved him in. "Make it quick."

He hesitated, glancing at the others in the room. "Privately, if possible."

I dismissed the team, then leaned back in my chair. "What is it?"

Martin set a folder on my desk. "The Meadowbrook project. It's our next major acquisition. It's a land development for a luxury resort. The investors are traditional, family-oriented. They only work with people they trust."

"And?"

"The land is in Ms. Wealth's hometown."

I went still.

Martin continued, oblivious. "She knows the area. Knows the people. She's the only one who can navigate the local politics and convince them to sell. Without her..." He trailed off.

"Without her, what?"

"Without her, the deal might be difficult."

I stared at the folder, not moving or opening it.

"She's irreplaceable on this, sir," Martin added quietly. "Essential."

That word sat heavy in the room.

Irreplaceable.

I hated it. Hated needing anyone. Especially her.

"Find someone else."

"There is no one else. She's been cultivating relationships there for months. If we bring in a stranger, they'll shut us out."

My hands rested flat on the desk. I could feel the tension coiling in my chest, pressure building behind my ribs.

I needed this deal. Needed this company to succeed. Not just succeed but dominate. Become the crown jewel

And she was the only way to make it happen.

Martin shifted his weight. "Should I... reach out to her?"

I looked up. Met his gaze.

"I don't bring people back."

Martin nodded slowly, understanding the weight of what I'd just said.

But as he turned to leave, I felt the heat in my nerves that wouldn't let go.

I loosened my tie. Just enough to breathe.

Martin paused at the door. "Sir?"

"Find someone else," I angrily repeated, loud enough for him to hear. "What could be so difficult about convincing a town full of retirees to sell their boring properties for compensation they'll never see again in their lifetimes?"

Martin turned back, his expression careful. "With all due respect, sir, that demographic is the hardest to negotiate with. They don't care about money the way younger sellers do. They care about legacy. Trust. Tradition. They need someone who understands their values, someone they can relate to." He paused. "Someone from their community."

I said nothing.

"This deal is massive, Mr. Moretti. The profit projections from the resort exceed anything we've done before. It would be the largest development in that region's history. The small sacrifice of reinstating Ms. Wealth is worth it."

Exhaling out of defeat, "temporarily," I muttered.

"Pardon, sir?"

"Ms. Wealth will be brought back temporarily, just for this project."

"Understood, sir."

I leaned back, jaw tight. "How long do we have?"

"Until New Year's. Other companies are circling. Whoever presents the most strategic, trustworthy proposal wins." He hesitated. "We need to move fast."

I waved him off. "Leave the files."

He set the folder on my desk and left.

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