Total pages in book: 85
Estimated words: 78249 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 391(@200wpm)___ 313(@250wpm)___ 261(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 78249 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 391(@200wpm)___ 313(@250wpm)___ 261(@300wpm)
"Is this true?" Davenport asked Cole, his weathered face tight with anger as he rose from his own seat a few tables away from Cole.
"Of course not,” Cole said, forcing a nervous smile. “She's clearly making this up to—"
"I also have the geological surveys you ordered," I continued. "The demolition cost estimates. Even early marketing materials for the hotels." I laid each document on the podium. "You never cared about preserving these factories. You just wanted the land they sit on."
Cole's face had gone an interesting shade of purple. "That's rich, coming from you. Should I tell everyone why you really took a job at Foster Real Estate? About our little arrangement?"
"I already did." I finally let myself look at Orion. His expression was unreadable, but he hadn't moved, hadn't tried to stop me. "I told Mr. Foster everything. About how you asked me to spy for you, how I thought I could use it as revenge. And how working here changed everything."
I turned back to Davenport. "I made mistakes. Big ones. But I've grown to care about these factories, about the legacy they represent. Which is why I couldn't let either company destroy them."
"Either company?" Cole latched onto my words with a predatory smile. "So Foster Real Estate had similar plans?"
This was the moment of truth. I glanced at Orion again, seeing him straighten in his chair. Again, he gave me the slightest nod, letting me know I had his approval to continue.
Honestly, this was bigger than us, though. I was going to spill these secrets whether Orion liked it or not, but knowing he was going along with it meant everything to me.
"They did," I admitted. "But unlike Cole Northman, Orion Foster had a change of heart. After getting to know Mr. Davenport, Orion quietly threw away the legal transfer documents and shifted his focus to giving Davenport exactly what he wanted.”
“Legal transfer documents?” Davenport asked. “I don’t understand…”
“A legal loophole would allow any management company to take control of the properties in the event of your death, Mr. Davenport. It’s what Orion was briefed on before he approached you and it’s the fact that Cole discovered before he joined the pursuit of your business. Both men made a massive lapse in moral judgment. One man realized it and changed. One was still drafting up plans on how to take advantage of you as recent as yesterday.”
The silence in the room was deafening. Davenport looked between Cole and Orion, his expression grave.
Cole looked victorious, maybe just happy to know he wasn’t the only one being sabotaged here. Orion looked… resolute, like a prisoner receiving a sentence he knew he deserved.
"So neither company can be trusted," Davenport said finally.
"No," I said. “Maybe not completely. But people can change. Companies can change. Which is why Eleanor and I have another proposal."
I pulled out the last document—one I'd spent all night drafting. Orion’s assistant, Daniel, hurried up to the stage like I’d asked and took the document to Davenport. "The factories would be placed in a trust, managed jointly by Foster Real Estate and a board of community members. All proposed changes would require approval from both the business side and the community side. This way, the factories can be updated and made profitable while still preserving their historical significance."
"And who would lead this venture?" Davenport asked.
"That would be up to you, Sir. But I'd suggest someone who understands both the business potential and the human element. Someone who's proven they can change and grow."
My eyes found Orion's again, and this time he held my gaze. I saw the moment he understood what I was suggesting—that this wasn't just about saving the factories or my own redemption. This was my way of showing him I believed in who he could be, who he was becoming.
"An interesting proposal," Davenport said. He turned to Eleanor. "What do you think, old friend?"
Eleanor smiled. "I think it’s never too late to change.”
Davenport raised an eyebrow as the two elderly people shared an oddly charged moment together.
Uh. Had I missed something between them? Something… romantic?
Davenport finally peeled his eyes from Eleanor to look back down at the proposal, which he studied while the room was eerily silent.
I hoped this would work so badly it hurt, but it was out of my hands now.
Now I just had to wait and see what Davenport said.
42
EMBER
The silence stretched so long I thought I might burst. Finally, Davenport cleared his throat. In no apparent hurry, the old man took the stage and waited for me to step aside so he could speak into the microphone. He shot me a quick look and a small smile, then faced the room and spoke.
"Miss Hartwell makes some excellent points about trust and change," he said. "And it took a great deal of courage to do what she did tonight. People do make mistakes. It’s part of being human, and one doesn’t reach my age without learning that lesson hundreds of times over. But Ember did tonight what few are willing to do. She owned her mistakes in front of all of us, even if it meant costing her everything. That is the sort of person I trust.”