Make Me Yours

“Providing healthy competition is not betrayal, Miss Martins. It is simply giving the room for growth. You think I have not considered the risk in this, for my company? This is the case of ‘may the best man win’, and the odds are not exactly in my favor. As for bloodline, I’d have you know that no man who hasn’t gone past the shore of his homeland has truly known success. This is what I’m trying to do; seeing if Li Groups can conquer the world, as we have conquered Asia.”

“At what cost? Making thousands of people homeless?”

He grimaced and stopped short. She counted that as a moment of victory, for she knew he had had a response ready and waiting for her.

There was a long moment of pause. It was Mr Tan who spoke next.

“Miss Martins, you care for these people, it is obvious. However, I must have you consider how big a city Colorado is. All of these people would fit in well; all they need to do is spread all over the city. I’m sure they’d all find somewhere to fit in to. Here, look at the agreement we had drawn up. We agree that we did not take the residents into consideration. Very terrible of us, I must confess. For that, we apologize. However, if you would take a look at the terms in that file, you would see that we make a very generous offer. Now, we are willing to adjust these, to accommodate your requirements. As long as it guarantees that we shall get Belmont when all of this is over.”

Well, he was clearly more well-mannered than Mr Li was. His voice held a huge dose of modesty that Mr Li didn’t appear to be capable of. He spoke to Zoey as though he believed her to be consequential, not some pesky fly in his way.

Eyeing him warily, she accepted the file. A quick glance through had her eyes almost falling off, but she managed to control herself.

They were willing to pay $220,000,000 for Belmont. What?! That was more than five times what the property was worth. Swallowing hard so that she could find her voice, she passed the file to Kelly who passed it to Richard.

She did not speak until she cleared her throat, trusting herself only then.

“I must confess that… um… the offer is generous indeed. However, if we cannot find a way to make certain that those residents have roofs over their heads, one that would not take away the food off their mouths when they vacate the premises, then I am afraid that I cannot sign Belmont over to you.”

“Miss Martins, are you certain? You need to think this through. I understand your love for the people, but you are not this city’s governor. They are not your responsibility.”

Zoey looked at Mrs Chan and offered her a small polite smile.

“I have pursued that property for months, and I know why I did. Mr Belmont died of a heart attack eight months ago. He only has one surviving family who indicated no interest in managing the property, despite how much it is worth. I tried to get a meeting with Miss Belmont, but to no avail. She ended up selling it to an investor, but changed her mind before it was too late and bought it back. Only then was I able to get a meeting with her. I told her I would take it off her hands, get a suitable buyer. One that is willing to continue what her grandfather started for those people. She agreed. It’s hot cake, as you know. Many are interested in it. Nevertheless, this is personal for me because I once lived there with my family. And my parents were able to save enough to send my brother and I to college and finally get their own home, because they didn’t have to worry about exorbitant rent. I keep imagining how different our lives would have been, if some company had come to chase us out before we managed to find our footing. It leaves a sour taste in my mouth.”

The look of remorse on Mrs Chan’s face was just what Zoey had been expecting to see. Satisfied, she turned to Mr Li, surprised to see the solemnity on his. It didn’t stop her from saying her piece.

“It might not be my responsibility, but if we all decided to do some kind of good for people who don’t exactly matter to us in any way, perhaps the world would be a much better place. By all means, bring Li Tech to Colorado. Do all that you must to secure a fine place for the company. However, you must know this one thing: I would not be helping you in any way, if it concerns Belmont.”

Apparently, his solemnness did not hold him back, either. “Very well then. I see that we cannot disagree to agree. We are at loggerheads. I must say, I expected this. Nevertheless, I thought there would be no harm in holding this meeting and trying this option. Miss Martins, you do understand that this is business. I have decided on the Belmont property. Whether you give me or not, I will get it; one way or another. And I do not mind cutting corners. Do not think I got to the top by playing fair. Do not expect me to start now.”

He paused as he rose up. His suit stretched with his movement, fitting his body perfectly as he finally stood upright. Why did the man have to be so damn fine and so damn impossible? Christ! It was enough to drive one crazy.

“Thank you for meeting us, Miss Martins. I must admit, it’s been a rather intriguing evening. Now, we must take our leave.”

She too stood up. She could feel the muscles on her face hurt as she try to put on a stern, expression. She refused to let him intimidate her.

He walked closer to her then, stretched out his hand for a handshake. As she took it, she almost trembled from the sheer shock of electricity that zapped through her fingers. She knew he felt it too, because his eyes widened; as hers did in acknowledgement.