Chapter 73

Chapter 73

Cassie

My eyes widen in shock as I look back at Megan’s eyes.

“Megan…”

“Well, hello there, dear sister.” She looks past me. “Making a move at my fiancee again, I see!”

“What are you doing here, Megan?” Kayden asks.

“I’m supposed to be at this meeting remember? And then I saw the two of you sneak in here.”

“Meeting? You’re three hours late!” Kayden tells her.

“Oh yeah. I have an appointment at a tanning salon that I cannot miss.”

“Tanning salon?” I echo. “Aren’t you pregnant? You’re putting your unborn child in danger?”

She glares at me. “Wow! Speaking like a caring sister. Well, aren’t you a hypocrite? You pretend to care for my unborn child but you’re sneaking around with his father? You’re robbing my child the chance to have a happy family!”

“Megan, it’s not.”

“Don’t try to fool me, you sl-!” Megan hisses.

“Mind

your tongue, Megan,” Kayden warns her in a cold voice. “Let me remind you once again, that our arrangement is only because of this baby. I’m letting you call the shots because you say you are pregnant with my child. But you know the real score between the two of us. I will fulfill my duties to that child, but technically I am a free man. I am not cheating on you.”

“I am your fiancee! How is that not cheating?” Megan shoots back at him.

“Who decided that? The last time I checked, I didn’t get down on one knee. I didn’t ask you to marry me.”

“Yet!” Megan tells him, as if it’s a reminder. “You haven’t asked to marry me yet! But once this child is born, I guarantee you, Kayden, you will.”

Damn! What does she mean by that? Does she mean, she’s going to use her child to blackmail Kayden?”

Then what could you two possibly be talking about in private? If you weren’t fooling around, then why are you here?”

“I was talking to Cassie about the funding of King’s Legend, before we go in there.”

“And you can’t discuss this in the boardroom?” She glares at both of us.

“Cassie did such a great job on the design,” Kayden says, keeping his face straight. “I want to get ahead of the others. I want to make sure how big of an investment we are looking at. Because I want majority shares for King’s Legend.”

“Oh, and I bet she will give you an unfair advantage, won’t she?” She turns to me. “In the past, you used your body to steal Kayden from me. And now, you’re using your wealth? Your properties? Your influence?”

“Of course not!” I reply immediately. “Don’t be ridiculous, Megan! He’s Kayden Steele! Do you really think he can be swayed by other people’s wealth?”

My voice trails off as I watch the anger and frustration rising in Megan’s eyes. She stomps her feet on the polished marble floor, casting an angry glare at both of us.

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Chapter 73

“Well, let me make one thing clear. If 1 catch you two having an affair, I’ll make sure you both regret it!”

She turns around and storms off the corridor. The door of the boardroom opens, and two of the board members

come out.

“Was that Miss Brown screaming just now?”

“Where is she going?”

“Nothing that should concern you, gentlemen,” Kayden says in a cool voice. “Shall we resume our meeting?”

Kayden gives me a reassuring smile as we enter the boardroom again.

I take a moment to compose myself. Then I press a button and the summary of financials flash on the screen behind

“Ladies and gentlemen, the fundings required to build King’s Legend will be no small feat. Our target is to construct a monument to luxury and elegance, incorporating the latest advancements in technology, comfort, and style. The project will demand a budget that reflects our vision for this prestigious hotel, and every penny will be spent wisely to deliver the highest quality experience to our guests,” I start.

“It is a seven–star hotel, after all,” another board member agrees. “What is it if not expensive?”

“We have already secured a promising location, an idyllic spot that will attract the crème de la crème of society. This site boasts breathtaking panoramic views of the ocean, a serene sanctuary that will allow our guests to unwind and rejuvenate in opulent surroundings,” I continue.

“We know all of that. We trust that your team will deliver the best, most luxurious hotel int he world. But what we are interested to know is how much it will cost.”

I motion at Attorney Magnus. He stands up from his seat and address the board.

“The previous design had a lot of problems, and uses less eco–friendly materials. And it was pegged at one point seven. But we’ve made a lot of significant revisions to this design to make it cheaper. To achieve all our plans, we need only a little over a billion dollars.”

The room falls silent for a moment.

“A billion dollars?” One of the shareholders ask. “Will it not be such a risk? How are we going to recover such a huge amount of investment?”

“Certainly, a billion dollars is a significant amount, but it is not as risky as it may seem. We have carefully planned every aspect of the project, from its design to the amenities that will be offered. King’s Legend will not only be a luxury hotel, but a destination that will offer guests an unparalleled experience. The rooms will be outfitted with the latest technology to ensure their comfort and convenience. The spa will feature a range of indulgent treatments, and we will also provide top–notch dining options, from the finest restaurants to intimate lounges,” I say.

There are great hotel chains that have been built with only a couple of hundred million dollars. Why couldn’t we have done the conservative approach?” Megan asks. I blink back at her. I am not even sure when she came back into the room. “Are you sure you are not just squandering our millions, Miss Carlisle? How do you plan to recoup that huge amount of money?”

I take a deep breath to steady my nerves and continue. “We have also secured partnerships with leading brands in the hospitality industry. We’ll be offering guests exclusive and premium services. We will negotiate with celebrity chefs. and have them create signature dishes that will only be available at King’s Legend. We will create an immersive experience that will make our guests feel like royalty.”

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“Blah, blah, blah. It’s all just talk. How can we be sure that you can make good of your commitments? You’re still asking us to take a lot of risks.”

I straighten my face and look Megan straight in the eyes.

“I understand your concern. But every business has a risk. In our case, it will be a more calculated risk. We will make sure that King’s Legend will offer an experience that will surpass every expectation. We will create a world where luxury and elegance are not just words, but a promise. And I’m not just taking about fancy decorations or expensive amenities. I am talking about an emotional connection that will make them feel like they are part of a legacy… a part of a legend in the making.”

There is silence across the room. Everyone is speechless as they absorb my speech, including Megan.

Just then, Kayden stands up from his seat. “Well, I have sign you can do. I have no doubt in my mind that you will deliver this hotel with the same excellence and sophistication that King’s Court is known for. As one of the major shareholder of King’s Legend, I will renew my previous commitment of three hundred million dollars, and another fifty million dollars to it.”

I hear gasps from the shareholders. Kayden was not kidding when he said he wanted to make sure that he will own majority shares for King’s Legend.

“I will also renew my commitment.”

“So will I.”

When we concluded the meeting, we are able to secure one point one billion dollars in funding. King’s Legend is really happening. We didn’t even have to go to the bank.

I get a text message from Kayden.

Kayden: Congratulations! Let’s celebrate. Meet me at 7PM at this address.

When I look up, I find him watching me from across the room. He gives me a wink and then he exits the room.

I breathe in a sigh of relief! Finally, I can relax. All the hard work and sleepless nights had paid off.

I should prepare with my date with Kayden tonight. I don’t care whether it’s right or wrong. For now, I just want to forget everything and enjoy myself.

Megan.

I exit the room. I cannot help but feel a surge of envy and frustration at the sight of everyone congratulating Cassie. How did she manage to pull this off?

I refuse to say that it’s because she really is that good.

And Kayden?

Aaarggh! What the f*ck was that on his face as he looks at Cassie? Admiration? Yearning?

I fish my phone from my bag and dial a number.

“Hello,” Myron answers. “That’s unexpected. What can I do for you?”

“Why the hell is that bitch still breathing?” I almost scream at him.

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