Chapter 72: A convenient lie

Gideon’s pov

"No shit, Sherlock," Kai grunted, his voice laced with irritation as he snatched a bottle of water from the tray Roman had dropped. He had been ranting about a mole for the better part of a week. It was about time Milo caught up.

Chase Wellsbury sighed, rubbing a hand over his weary face. "Who would dare spy on you? After everything your father built..." He trailed off, shaking his head.

"That’s why I wanted you here, Chase," I said, my voice low and steady. "You knew him. You know how this world works. We’re dealing with someone who knows our operations and even our timelines, our clients."

Chase had been my father’s right-hand man and his closest confidant. After Father died, Chase had been the one to pull us aside, his voice thick with grief, and suggest we leave Wisteria for a while to grieve and regroup.

He was the closest thing we had to a father figure, but he knew nothing of the revenge we had planned. He was too good of a man to support something like that and I would rather he didn’t have that on his conscience.

Milo began pacing around the room. "The Pandora Estate approvals, the preliminary designs for the new Dubai tower, the client list for our European venture, all of it has found its way to our competitors. It cannot just be coincidence."

"And how would they have gotten that information? All of it is encrypted and compartmentalized." I leaned back in my leather chair, clasping my palms together.

Do not look at her. Do not look-

My gaze drifted towards the door, where Miss Harpley was attempting to escape quietly. She was tiptoeing towards the door, head down until Roman’s arm shot out, hooking around her waist and pulling her back. He settled her onto his lap, burying his face in the crook of her neck.

A sharp, foreign irritation lanced through me. I hated it. I hated how easily intimate they looked.

The way she melted into him for a half-second before stiffening. Why did it bother me? She was the housekeeper. He was my brother. It was an inappropriate complication I didn’t have time for.

"Roman, this is a private conversation. I’m sure Miss Harpley is busy."

Roman didn’t even lift his head. His voice came out as a muffled murmur against her skin. "We won’t be taking too long here. Keep going, Gid."

My knuckles flexed under the table.

I forced myself to unclench them, to breathe through the uncharacteristic spike of anger that streaked through me.

It was just frustration. It had to be. Amber hadn’t come to the club on Saturday. I had been looking forward to seeing her again, to sink into her warm curvy and lush body while she melted obediently.

She was the one who took my mind off... things.

Off the constant, irritating thoughts of a certain housekeeper with brown eyes and a scent that made my mouth water. I kept replaying that moment in the orphanage, the soft, breathy mewl she’d made when I had kissed her.

How perfectly she had responded. Even now, with Roman’s arm possessively around her, I could almost feel the soft curve of her waist, the warmth of her skin.

I forced my attention back to the matter at hand. "The government is stonewalling us on the Pandora approval. They claim the original environmental impact study that was made two years ago was flawed."

"They’re being paid to claim it’s flawed," Kai scoffed. "But we can’t prove it. And without that approval, the entire project is dead in the water."

"It’s one of those silly work nightmares," Roman added, finally lifting his head. "We could spend months in court, and by then, Callaway and his backers will have scooped up every other viable property in the region."

"But we can actually win," Milo chipped in. "I have contacted the best attorneys on our team. We’re looking at a 4–5-year case but winning is guaranteed."

"And how would we stop Callaway from swopping in? We spent years already building towards the Pandora estate,"

"Trust me, Gid," Milo sighed, spreading his arms out. "We’ve been through this for ten years; you made me oversee the branch here at Wisteria. Trust me, I know how things work better- "

"You can use the historical preservation clause,"

Every head in the room swiveled towards Ivy. She flushed a deep crimson, shrinking back against Roman’s chest. "I... I apologize. I couldn’t help but overhear."

Milo immediately jumped in, beaming at her. "Don’t you worry your pretty little head about it, Ivy. This is complicated business stuff."

Ivy’s eyes flashed with a defiant glare. She opened her mouth to speak again, but Milo steamrolled on. "Besides, that clause will only take time- "

"Not as much time as 4-5 years of court case," She shot back.

"Damn, kitten, retract those claws," Kai grinned. "Oh, you know what, on second thought, show them claws. It’s fucking sexy- "

"Kai, be serious," I murmured, eyes fixed on Miss Harpley. "Let’s hear what Miss Harpley has to say."

Milo snapped his mouth shut, shooting me a look of wounded surprise. Ivy straightened up, a little bolder. "I think I know vaguely where the estate you’re talking about is located. Is it close to the old Wisteria Mill district?"

"Bingo," Kai nodded.

"The entire area falls under the historical preservation charter of 1998. Any new development requires a supplemental review that includes a public comment period. It’s a nightmare, but it’s a loophole that you can use."

"Instead of fighting the government on their terms, you use their own rules against them. You propose a development that incorporates the historical elements of the mill. The board would have to approve a project that preserves history, especially if you frame it as remodeling a forgotten part of the city. That’s like two birds with one stone. You would get the approval, and you would look like heroes."

The room was silent for a full ten seconds.

A slow grin spread across Kai’s face. "Well, I’ll be damned. That’s actually brilliant."

Roman beamed, squeezing her waist. "My my, Vivi, you’re such a genius."

"That would save you billions," Chase commented, his eyes fixed on the housekeeper like everyone else. How on earth did she manage to enthrall everyone? It was maddening.

I leaned forward, studying her. It was a very elegant, out-of-the-box solution. "It’s a viable strategy," I conceded. "It could work."

She glowed under the praise, a pleased smile lighting up her face before she shot a pointed look at Milo. I would worry about what that was later. Right now, another question niggled on the back of my mind.

"I wonder how you would know that though, Miss Harpley," The chattering in the room died down and her brown eyes fell on mine, brows raised in question.

"I don’t follow...sir,"

"The historical preservation clause isn’t something just anyone can know. Only a Wisteria native and perhaps someone deeply involved in urban planning, would know the specifics of that loophole. And I believe from what you’ve told us some time ago, you aren’t from here and only moved to Wisteria six months ago, am I right, Miss Harpley?"

Her smile withered quickly like a wilted flower.