Chapter 220

Chapter 224
Alexander
The conference room overlooked the city, with floor–to–ceiling windows providing a commanding view. Gavin Cooper stood when I entered, extending his hand.
“Mr. Carter, good to see you again.”
“Gavin.” I shook his hand firmly. “Thanks for making the time.”
“Are you kidding? When Carter Enterprises calls, we answer.” He gestured to his team. “You remember Sarah Kim, our CFO, and Michael Davis, head of acquisitions. This is Laura Mitchell, our legal counsel.”
I nodded to each of them. “Appreciate you all being here. Should we get started?”
For the next hour, we discussed portfolio details, market projections, and acquisition terms. Gavin’s team had done their homework, asking sharp questions about integration plans and long–term strategy.
“The west coast properties are our strongest assets,” Sarah explained, pulling up a presentation on the screen. “Average occupancy rates above ninety percent, strong rental income, excellent appreciation potential.”
“Which is exactly why we’re interested,” I replied. “Carter Enterprises has been expanding our commercial real estate division. Your portfolio fits perfectly with our development plans.”
Michael leaned forward. “We’ve had other offers. What makes Carter’s proposal more attractive?”
“Speed and certainty.” I pulled up our financial projections. “We can close within sixty days. All cash offer, no financing contingencies. You walk away clean.”
Laura, the legal counsel, spoke up. “And the existing management teams?”
“Remain in place for at least eighteen months, with performance bonuses tied to occupancy rates and rental income. We’re not looking to gut your operations.”
Gavin nodded slowly. “That’s important to us. We built those teams carefully.”
“We recognize that. Good management is as valuable as the properties themselves.”
Sarah clicked through several more slides showing quarterly projections and market comparisons. The numbers were solid, the growth trajectory impressive.
“Your offer is compelling,” Gavin admitted. “But I’ll be honest, Mr. Carter. We need to make a decision quickly. Another buyer is pushing hard, and they’re willing to close in forty–five days.”
I kept my expression neutral. “Who’s the other buyer?”
“Can’t say. But they’re well–capitalized and motivated.”
James. Had to be. He’d been circling Sterling Development for months, same as us.
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Chapter 294
Forty–five days versus sixty,” said. “That’s your sticking point?”
Part of it. The other buyer is also offering slightly above your price.”
“How much above?”
Gavin glanced at his CFO, “Five percent.”
1 did the mental math instantly. On a portfolio this size, five percent was roughly twenty million dollars. Enough to matter but not enough to walk away.
“Counteroffer,” I said. “We match their price and close in forty–five days instead of sixty.”
Gavin exchanged looks with his team. “That’s aggressive.”
“Carter Enterprises doesn’t make offers we can’t execute on.” I pulled up our financing documents. “ Everything is already in place. Legal review, due diligence, capital allocation. We can move as fast as you need.”
“Give us a moment,” Gavin said.
I nodded, standing. “Take your time. Jessica, could you arrange some coffee for our guests?”
“Of course, Mr. Carter.”
Outside in the hallway, Jessica pulled me aside. “Forty–five days is tight. Are you sure we can meet that deadline? ”
“We’ll make it work. Get legal started on the paperwork immediately. And find out who else is bidding.”
“You think it’s Westbrook? ”
“Who else would it be? He’s been targeting the same properties we have for the last few months.”
“I’ll make some calls.”
Twenty minutes later, Gavin’s team called us back in. The tension in the room had shifted; their body language was more relaxed.
“We have a deal,” Gavin announced, extending his hand. “Assuming your legal team can have contracts ready by the end of the week.”
“They’ll be ready by Wednesday.” I shook his hand firmly. “Welcome to the Carter family.”
Sarah smiled. “We’re excited about this partnership. The synergies between our portfolios are significant.”
We spent another thirty minutes discussing transition logistics and integration timelines. By the time they left, it was past noon.
“That went well,” Jessica said, gathering up her notes. “Though James is going to be pissed when he finds out we swooped in.”
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Chapter 224
“Forty–five days versus sixty,” I said. “That’s your sticking point?”
“Part of it. The other buyer is also offering slightly above your price
“How much above?”
Gavin glanced at his CFO. “Five percent.”
I did the mental math instantly. On a portfolio this size, five percent was roughly twenty million dollars. Enough to matter but not enough to walk away.
“Counteroffer,” I said. “We match their price and close in forty–five days instead of sixty.”
Gavin exchanged looks with his team. “That’s aggressive.”
“Carter Enterprises doesn’t make offers we can’t execute on.” I pulled up our financing documents. “Everything is already in place. Legal review, due diligence, capital allocation. We can move as fast as you need.”
“Give us a moment,” Gavin said.
I nodded, standing. “Take your time. Jessica, could you arrange some coffee for our guests?”
“Of course, Mr. Carter.”
Outside in the hallway, Jessica pulled me aside. “Forty–five days is tight. Are you sure we can meet that deadline?”
“We’ll make it work. Get legal started on the paperwork immediately. And find out who else is bidding.”
“You think it’s Westbrook? ”
“Who else would it be? He’s been targeting the same properties we have for the last few months.”
“I’ll make some calls.”
Twenty minutes later, Gavin’s team called us back in. The tension in the room had shifted; their body language was more relaxed.
“We have a deal,” Gavin announced, extending his hand. “Assuming your legal team can have contracts ready by the end of the week.”
“They’ll be ready by Wednesday.” I shook his hand firmly. “Welcome to the Carter family.”
Sarah smiled. “We’re excited about this partnership. The synergies between our portfolios are significant.”
We spent another thirty minutes discussing transition logistics and integration timelines. By the time they left, it was past noon.
“That went well,” Jessica said, gathering up her notes. “Though James is going to be pissed when he finds out we swooped in.”
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Chapter 224
“ He’ll survive. He’s lost deals before.”
“True. But this is the second time in two months you’ve beaten him to a major acquisition.”
My phone buzzed. Grandfather’s name flashed on the screen.
“I need to take this. Can you start getting legal mobilized on the Sterling contract?”
“On it.” Jessica headed out, closing the door behind her.
I answered the call. “Grandfather. Good timing. Just closed the Sterling Development deal.”
“Did you now?” Harold’s voice was warm with approval. “Excellent work. That portfolio will strengthen our commercial holdings considerably.”
“That was the plan. Gavin Cooper and his team are solid operators.”
“Glad to hear it. And how are you settling into married life?”
I leaned back in my chair, gazing out at the city skyline. “It’s an adjustment. But good overall.”
“Your grandmother and I were just discussing you and Olivia over breakfast this morning. She’s quite taken with your wife.”
“Olivia made a strong impression,” I agreed carefully.
“She did indeed. Poised, intelligent, beautiful. You chose well, Alexander.”
Something in his tone made me pause. Grandfather didn’t make idle conversation, especially not during business hours.
“Thank you. Was there something specific you wanted to discuss?”
“As a matter of fact, yes.” Papers rustled in the background. “I’ve been hearing some rumors. About your marriage.”
My grip on the phone tightened. “What kind of rumors?”
“Nothing concrete. Just whispers in certain circles. Questions about the timeline, the suddenness of it all.”
“The marriage was quick, but not unprecedented.”
“I’m aware of the official story.” Grandfather’s tone sharpened. “I’m more interested in the truth.”
“The truth is, I’m married to Olivia. Everything else is speculation.”
“I didn’t build Carter Enterprises by ignoring red flags. And I didn’t set that marriage condition lightly.”
“I understand that.”
“Do you? Because if this marriage is some kind of arrangement to secure your inheritance…”
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Chapter 224
He let the sentence hang.
“It’s not,” I said firmly, the lie coming easier than it should have. “Olivia and I are building something real.”
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“I hope that’s true. Because the consequences of deception would be severe. Not just for your inheritance, but for the company’s reputation.”
My jaw clenched. “I’m aware of what’s at stake.”
“Good. Then you’ll understand why I need to see you both this Sunday. Family dinner, just like old times. We need to have a proper conversation about all this.”
“Sunday works.”
“Excellent. Six o’clock sharp. And Alexander?”
“Yes? ”
“Whatever these rumors are, they need to be addressed. Quickly and definitively. The board is watching this situation closely.”
“Understood.”
“I’m counting on you. Don’t disappoint me.”
The line went dead.
I set the phone down slowly, staring at the city spread out below. Rumors. Someone was asking questions, digging into the timeline of our relationship.
Victoria? Probably. She’d been suspicious from the start, and she had the connections to spread gossip through the right channels. Penelope certainly had motivation to create trouble.
Or maybe it was someone else entirely.
Sara Lili
Sara Lili is a daring romance writer who turns icy landscapes into scenes of fiery passion. She loves crafting hot love stories while embracing the chill of Iceland’s breathtaking cold.