The Day I Stopped Waiting Was the Day He Started Begging novel Chapter 220

She fully intended to leave this city and build a fresh life eventually.

"It's a brutal legal process, and you're already drowning in work and taking care of a sick child."

Hunter countered flawlessly.

"Besides, this arrangement actually benefits my business too."

"Just hear me out."

Knowing exactly how to dismantle her defenses, he offered a reassuring smile.

"Eleanor has a prime piece of inherited real estate with no legal heir. According to current property laws, if Evie is placed on her residency registry, she becomes the sole inheritor. My grandparents lived in that old house, and she refuses to let developers bulldoze it after she's gone."

"She's been nagging me about this for months. So you see, I have my own selfish motives here. Don't feel obligated."

Madeline was actually well-versed in the viciously complex zoning laws.

Even so, she didn't agree immediately.

"Hunter, I need time to think. If my daughter and I just snatch up Eleanor's estate, the rest of the Holt family is going to riot."

"I figured you'd say that."

Anticipating her every move, Hunter smoothly slid a sleek folder across the table.

"Which is why I brought this employment contract."

"How would you feel about becoming the lead Fashion Consultant for Ascent Group? You'd be in charge of all film and television styling."

"The catch is, I won't pay you a single dime for the next three years. And you absolutely cannot quit."

"We'll treat your forfeited salary as the purchase price for the residency and the estate. That way, you're buying it fair and square."

"Plus, I know you won't tear the house apart the way my greedy relatives would."

Hunter was an apex predator in the boardroom. His negotiation skills were terrifyingly brilliant.

And the deal he laid out was virtually impossible to reject.

It was the flawless, silver-bullet solution to every single one of her current nightmares.

"I know trading three years of your prime career just for a residency paper seems steep."

"You can give me your answer next week when we go visit the estate."