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“If constructions don’t start in the next two months and doesn’t progress at the pace that’s been stated in the contract, you’ll lose the project,” said Tyrell, eyeing me coldly. “This is my official warning.”
Watson pushed the envelope at Milla.
Milla took it and silently stared at it.
Rage flared inside me. How could I let this man fool me into accepting a project that was meant to fail from the very start? I’d been so enticed by the redevelopment project and the amazing growth it’d bring to Amhurst Co., I ignored all common sense.
“You’ll be liable to damages,” said Tyrell. “About sixty million dollars to the town council.”
“Are you fucking kidding me?” I roared, unable to keep a handle on my emotions. “It’s not our fucking fault if residents refuse to sell their property.”
“Like I said Mr. Amhurst,” Tyrel replied with an ugly look on his face. “You signed the contracts. No one forced you to do it.”
“You—” I was suddenly up on my feet, intent on wringing the bastard’s neck.
Milla’s hand came to rest on mine. “Settle down, please,” she said in a calm voice. I looked down at her, wondering how she could remain so cool and collected when we were looking at a loss that’d destroy the company.
Reigning in my anger, I obeyed her.
“You promised to redevelop the eastern part of Silverlake City,” Milla said in a cool, calm tone. “If you take the project away from us, wouldn’t you have to go through months of procedures to sign a contract with another contractor? It’d delay everything further.”
“There won’t be any need for that,” said Tyrrell. “During the tender and auctioning, Beckett Industries was listed as the second-most recommended contractor for the job. They’ll pick up on the slack you’ll leave behind without any delay.”
“Won’t they face the same problems as us?” Milla asked.
“Mr. Beckett assured me they won’t have any problems.”
“You realize what you’ve done to us, Mr. Mayor,” Milla said in a calm tone but her voice dripped with venom. “You’ve sold out to the Becketts. This has been your plan from the very beginning. You’re letting them use you to chase us out of business.”
“Whatever gave you that strange idea, Miss Amhurst?” Tyrell said with a cold chuckle. “It’s just plain business.”
“I guess that’s how you politicians play with each other,” said Milla, her blue eyes blazing with suppressed rage. “But you forget that your underhanded ways impact common people. Ruining Amhurst Co. would leave hundreds without a job. You’ll be ruining the financial and economic well-being of your own town.”
“You’re making too many assumptions,” said Tyrell. All good humor vanished from his face. “I suggest you find a way to restart construction or be prepared to lose the project.” Gesturing at his secretary, he added, “Let’s go, Watson.”
Watson grabbed his briefcase and stood up after the mayor.
Milla and I remained seated, uncaring about disrespecting the man who’d fucked us up completely.
“This is all my fault,” I ground out through gritted teeth. I banged the table with my fist, hating the feeling of utter defeat.
“If I’d been in your place, I’d have made the same decision as you, Noah.” There was no anger or hate in her eyes as she looked at me. “The project was worth the risks you took. It was too enticing to let go.”
“But it’ll ruin us,” I said, hating how weak my voice sounded. “If we have to pay for damages, we’ll lose the money needed for our other ongoing projects. Our investors will pull the plug as soon as they know the reason the mayor visited our office.”
“Let’s not think about that now.” Milla tore up the envelope into pieces without even reading the letter inside it.
“Do you see a way out?”
“Nick Civella,” she said. “He’s the only one who can get us out of this mess.” Turning in her seat, she faced me. “I’d rather sell my soul to him than watch Beckett Industries take over what’s ours. I mean it, Noah.”
“Your soul and body belong to me,” I said, grabbing her hand in a tight grip. “You’re not allowed to surrender to that man.”
Before she could say anything, I pressed a finger to her plump, luscious lips.
“I don’t mind losing Amhurst Co. and everything I own, Milla,” I said in a deep, clear voice. “I won’t give you up. And you’re not going to give up on yourself either.”
“I won’t let Luke and his father win.” Milla’s hands were balled into tight fists. “Not after what they said about Mom and Brian. I want to make them pay for everything.”
