Chapter 762
Though they were dying for more gossip, no one dared to pry further.
Given his utter confidence, it was clear he had chosen his bride on his own terms.
Besides, it was none of their business. Whether she actually made it down the aisle remained to be seen.
And even if she did, Dane was not the type to let his personal life bleed into his business empire.
Returning to the matter at hand, the team dove into their field reports from the west side.
The general consensus was to aggressively acquire the project. They would draft a budget.
This budget, naturally, was substantially lower than the inflated price Latham had demanded.
“And after we secure the acquisition?”
Dane looked around the conference table.
It was the golden question.
The executives began pitching their redevelopment strategies and relocation compensation packages.
Dane absorbed the rapid-fire pitches, nodding at a few solid ideas.
He kept his concept of a culinary district to himself for now; the immediate priority was forcing the buyout.
However, the team perfectly aligned with him on one crucial point: the local residents.
These people had deep ties to their neighborhoods and couldn’t be uprooted and banished to the outskirts.
Just throwing cash at them wasn’t a sustainable solution, especially since The James Family’s initial buyout offers had been downright insulting.
Vertex International had infinitely deeper pockets and could easily afford a generous relocation package.
But Dane wasn’t running a charity. He fully intended to squeeze Latham for every cent he could on the acquisition price until they reached a mutually painful agreement.
Delegating the negotiations with Latham to his lead acquisition manager, Dane wrapped up the meeting after a concise hour.
He declared the rest of the evening free time.
Dane called Claire, asking her to meet him at the hotel restaurant.
The rest of the team caught wind of the high-end buffet downstairs and decided to head there as a group.
Out in the city, Claire had picked up some fresh fruit, planning to bring a basket to her aunt at the hospital.
Upon receiving his call, she stashed the bags in the trunk and walked back into the lobby.
Dane was already waiting for her by the elevator banks on the dining level.
The moment the doors slid open, their eyes met.
He guided her into the restaurant, claiming a quiet table by the floor-to-ceiling windows.
The sprawling buffet was an extravagant spread of imported seafood, prime cuts of steak, and rows of intricate desserts.
Dane offered to fix her a plate while she rested, but Claire waved him off.
“Let’s just grab what we both like.”
“Fair enough.” He was still learning her tastes and the last thing he
She was to bring her something
she wouldn’t enjoy.
Claire happily loaded her plate with a decadent slice of cake, a glass of milk tea, and a large helping of fresh berries.
As she reached for the fruit tongs, she felt the unmistakable weight of someone staring at her.
She glanced over to see a stylish woman watching her intently.
Claire vaguely recognized her as one of the executives from Dane’s entourage.
Caught in the act, the woman didn’t even have the grace to blush, holding her ground with corporate thick skin.
Claire offered a polite nod. “Grabbing some fruit too?”
Surprised by the future boss’s wife’s approachable demeanor, the woman immediately seized the opening. “Yes Mr. Green mentioned you’re his francée didn’t catch your name?”
“I’m Stella Xanders, with Vertex International…”
Stella introduced herself first.
Caught slightly off guard by the bold introduction, Claire shook her hand. “Claire James.”
Stella turned the name over in her head.
“Ms. James, if you don’t mind me asking, are you related to Latham James of The James Group?”
Panic flared in Stella’s chest. Had
their brilliant boss fallen for a honey trap sinking millions into the
doomed Apex redevelopment just to appease his girlfriend?