書庫
搜尋
首頁 / Romance / THE BILLIONAIRE'S REGRET / CHAPTER 18 : The Cost of an Assumption

分享

CHAPTER 18 : The Cost of an Assumption

作者: ALVIN BROWN
last update publish date: 2026-11-03 16:34:24

Avah read the email again.

The private room is unlikely to remain in the final design, so there is no reason to spend additional funds protecting that space.

The words were ordinary. Almost disappointingly ordinary.

No threats. No secret instructions. No dramatic confession.

Just a decision made by someone who had already decided what mattered.

And that, somehow, made it worse.

“Are you going to stare at it until the words change?” Clove asked.

Avah lowered the laptop screen slightly.

“I’m tryi
在 APP 繼續免費閱讀本書
掃碼下載 APP
上一章 下一章
已鎖定章節

最新章節

  • THE BILLIONAIRE'S REGRET     Chapter 45 — More Than a Pretty Design

    AvahThe first model looked beautiful.It was also completely wrong.Avah stood over the miniature Haven Residences landscape, studying the tiny trees, curved pathways, and elegant pavilion.Clove leaned against the worktable.“I'm guessing that's not the expression of a woman who loves her work.”“The model makes the garden look like a luxury hotel advertisement.”“Is that bad?”“Not if we're designing a hotel.”Clove examined the model again.“What's missing?”“Life.”Avah moved closer, pointing at the miniature seating area.“Look at these benches. They're positioned perfectly for photographs, but nobody would choose to sit here for long. There's no shade, no privacy, and no reason to stay.”Bex picked up the revised landscape drawings.“We could add more trees.”“Not just trees. We need to consider how people will actually use the space.”Avah took a pencil and began marking the model's base.“Someone might want to read without being surrounded by noise. A parent might need to wat

  • THE BILLIONAIRE'S REGRET     Chapter 44 — A Worthy Rival

    AvahThe first challenge arrived before Avah had finished her coffee.It was printed in bold across the technical update sent to all six shortlisted studios:THE GARDEN-SIDE ACCESS ROUTE MAY NOT BE FEASIBLE WITHIN THE CURRENT LANDSCAPE BUDGET.Avah read the sentence twice.Across the conference table, Clove lowered her tablet.“Please tell me that doesn't mean what I think it means.”“It means we can't simply draw a beautiful pathway and pretend the ground will cooperate.”Clove sighed. “I preferred it when our biggest problem was choosing between two shades of beige.”Avah smiled faintly and studied the attached site measurements. The proposed secondary entrance had potential, but the natural slope was steeper than the preliminary drawings suggested. Drainage channels also crossed the intended route.A solution would require careful grading, a revised drainage arrangement, and possibly a different landscape layout.And the budget wasn't unlimited.“We need to examine the actual level

  • THE BILLIONAIRE'S REGRET    CHAPTER 43 The Opportunity of a Lifetime

    The residential design showcase brief was spread across the conference table at Morne Studio.Avah stood beside the display screen, studying the proposed development.The project was called The Haven Residences.It was a new residential community designed around shared gardens, flexible living spaces, and facilities for families of different sizes.The organizers wanted something elegant, practical, and welcoming.Clove flipped through the pages.“I like the name.”“It's a good starting point,” Avah replied.Bex opened the site photographs.“The development has three residential buildings, a central garden, and a shared community pavilion.”Avah studied the images.“What do we know about the people who will live there?”Bex checked her notes.“The organizers haven't selected residents yet. But they've provided their intended audience: young professionals, families, and older residents who want independent living without feeling isolated.”Avah nodded.“Then our design needs to work fo

  • THE BILLIONAIRE'S REGRET    CHAPTER 42 No More Looking Back

    Avah read the message again, then placed her phone on the table.UNKNOWN: You looked very comfortable standing beside Calder tonight. Be careful. Some people mistake professional respect for a second chance.She wasn't frightened.She was irritated.Whoever kept sending these messages seemed convinced that her life still revolved around Calder.They were wrong.Clove walked into the living room carrying two glasses of water.“You look like someone has offended you.”“Someone has.”Clove noticed the phone.“Another message?”Avah nodded.Clove read it and frowned.“Honestly, who has this much free time?”“Someone who needs a hobby.”“Preferably one that doesn't involve monitoring your movements.”Avah took her glass.“I've forwarded it to Ms. Harlan.”“Good. And what are you going to do now?”“Go to bed.”Clove smiled.“Excellent. That's the most sensible decision you've made all evening.”Avah laughed quietly.But before switching off her phone, she opened the message once more.She w

  • THE BILLIONAIRE'S REGRET    CHAPTER 41 A Seat Beside the Past

    The Aurelia Design Forum was already filling with guests when Avah arrived.Crystal lights illuminated the convention hall, and large screens displayed the evening's theme:DESIGNING FOR THE LIVES PEOPLE ACTUALLY LIVE.Clove adjusted the collar of Avah's dark-blue dress.“Perfect.”“You said that about the last three outfits.”“Because I have excellent taste.”Avah laughed.“I'm beginning to think you enjoy dressing me more than I enjoy being dressed.”“That's because I understand the importance of presentation.”They approached the registration desk.A staff member checked Avah's invitation and handed her a programme.“Welcome, Ms. Morne. Your seat is in the front section. The panelists will be called backstage shortly.”“Thank you.”Avah glanced at the programme.Her name appeared beside several established designers and developers.And directly beneath hers was Calder Ives.Clove noticed.“Still comfortable with this?”Avah folded the programme.“Absolutely.”“Good. Remember, you'r

  • THE BILLIONAIRE'S REGRET    CHAPTER 40 The Woman Who Set Her Own Terms

    Avah was beginning to understand that success came with a different kind of pressure.The phone rang more often. Her inbox filled faster. People who had never heard of Morne Studio suddenly wanted meetings, proposals, and interviews.And everyone seemed to believe her time was available simply because her business was growing.She stared at the schedule on her laptop.Clove leaned over her shoulder.“That's a lot of meetings.”“It's a lot of requests.”“Same thing, unfortunately.”Avah scrolled through the calendar.“The Ellery guest wing needs final material selections. Mrs. Vance wants the first design review. Meridian House has a resident consultation. And the magazine wants confirmation for the discussion panel.”Clove folded her arms.“You need another designer.”“We already have Bex.”“Bex is one person, Avah. Not a magical creature who can work twenty hours a day.”Avah laughed.“I know.”“Then act like you know.”Avah closed the calendar.Clove pulled out the chair beside her.

更多章節

你可能也喜歡

探索並免費閱讀 優質小說
GoodNovel APP 免費暢讀海量優秀小說，下載喜歡的書籍，隨時隨地閱讀。
在 APP 免費閱讀書籍
掃碼在 APP 閱讀
DMCA.com Protection Status