Chapter 32

Julian

I had a fucking splitting headache.

Rubbing my temple, I barely glanced at the folder Evans, my acquisitions director, slid my way while I read through the latest reports on my computer screen.

“The investors on the Harbor Point project are saying they want another look at the expected returns.”

“Why’s that?” I inquired sharply. “I thought this deal was already in the bag. I personally met with them last week.”

“Yeah, about that… someone else has shown interest," he hesitated. “Montgomery Group. Seems like they’re now aware of how much of a goldmine this new development could be.”

That finally got my attention and I leaned back in my chair to drill a hard stare into him.

“How much did they offer?”

“Five hundred and eight million. Which puts them at a mere twelve million behind us. They’re obviously willing to start a bidding war.”

A muscle jumped in my jaw, a fresh wave of tension tightening my limbs.

Maxwell fucking Montgomery, my biggest business rival.

I should have expected him to want a piece of this. Ever since I beat him to the acquisition of the Belmont Towers three years ago—a deal he had been negotiating for and chasing after for nearly a year—he had made it his personal mission to sink his teeth into anything valuable the moment he realized I was after it.

So of course it was scarcely surprising that he had waited until the very last minute when the investors were ready to sign, to swoop in and try to snatch this property right from underneath my nose.

He wasn’t going to win.

Harbor Point was one of the most expensive acquisitions Davenport Developments had ever pursued, but the location made it worth every damn cent.

For months, my blood, sweat and hard-earned millions had gone into securing the property. A lot was invested, so there was no way I was simply going to hand this over to him.

“Dig into Montgomery’s financing structure.” I ordered. “He’d probably try to leverage one of his existing developments since he’s a desperate motherfucker. I want every piece of information you can find no matter how insignificant it seems.”

“Understood.”

“And don’t increase our offer yet,”

Evans frowned, prepared to make an argument.

“We’d just keep throwing money at the property until the investment no longer makes financial sense.” Leaning forward, I rested my elbows against the desk. “And that’s exactly what Montgomery wants me to do—panic, overbid and make a foolish decision that would make Harbor Point slip right through my hands.”

Before he could respond, a knock sounded at the door.

Sarah, my executive assistant, stepped inside after I called out a distracted response.

She was a married woman with two kids, but she was also one of my most reliable and efficient staff.

“The conference room is prepared, sir. Everyone is waiting for you,” she informed me in a clear, professional voice.

“Good. I’ll be down shortly. Have coffee brought in for me.”

“Yes, sir. Will that be all?”

I nodded, already dismissing her and turning back to Evans as he stood, gathering folders.

“I’ll get the information you requested,” he said.

“Have it on my desk before the end of the day.”

He nodded once before leaving, and the door clicked shut behind him.

I glanced at the clock as silence settled around me, my fingers drumming against my desk while I contemplated my next move—one that wouldn’t turn this whole project into an expensive fucking auction.

My phone vibrated with an incoming call moments later.

I picked it up and frowned at Jade’s name on my screen.

I could bet she was in some stupid kind of predicament she had brought on herself and expected me to get her out of it.

I had no time for her troubles, but I still found myself reluctantly swiping the answer button and pressing the phone to my ear, because the last time this had happened, she had been drunk off her ass and could have easily been a victim if I hadn’t stepped in.

“Jade, this better—”

“Julian! Oh thank God. I had an accident and there was no one else I could call—”