Yours, Until Needed
Chapter 37: Cornered

Chapter 37: Cornered

Today’s meeting was actually just a formality. Rina has been working on the proposals and designs while I worked on the property acquisition and our capital funding. So, she was responsible for convincing the architect to design for our other locations.

"I took on that location because of the terrain." Idris pointed at the blueprint before him.

"Other firms could handle the other locations." He added in response to Rina’s fiery eyes.

"We’re aware that you only wanted this one location, but we’d like you to design for our two other spots. In exchange, we’ll grant you the creative freedom provided the number of rooms and the minimum required amenities are reached."

That seemed to pique his interest. He knows that’s a significant risk for us, but Rina’s adamant about his unique portfolio. She wanted it to be the selling point of our resorts.

I’m pretty sure there are other ways we could convince him, but we preferred this route. We want a long-term partnership. We’re opening boutique-themed resorts with a different theme to match our locations.

This could’ve long been operational if not for the amount of meddling we had last year. It was why we couldn’t open the company up to other investors.

How do we explain being targeted by petty relatives?

"I appreciate the offer, but the creative license wouldn’t mean much if they cannot be executed properly." Arch. Idris was stern as he thumbed his coffee cup.

We actually haven’t been here for too long, and surprisingly, it’s been uneventful. At first I expected Jasper to randomly pop out but it seems like we’ve successfully thwarted evil spirits for the time being.

"Then, Mr. Ainsworth, if we were to secure a contractor that would fit your requirements, would you be open to partnering with us?" I offered a polite smile while Rina tried exchanging a look with me.

Well, Rina doesn’t know I’ve managed to wrangle Lucian into this.

I couldn’t exactly tell her about the sacrifice of my loins in the presence of these two guys.

"Who do you have in mind?" He asked, curious to hear more.

"Sinclair Construction. My husband’s firm." Technically our firm by now, but I have yet to sign stock documents, so that’s a tale for another day.

Rina’s eyes widened, then she kept on blinking. Maybe we’d look more put together if she could tone that down. But what can I say? I was the one that didn’t get a chance to tell her.

"You’re doing it?" Now clearly amused, he asked Lucian, who had been busy existing next to me.

"Would any other firm work on the project headed by the wife of Sinclair Groups’s VP?" Lucian retorted sarcastically.

Idris laughed at this, and now I’m confused about how close these two are.

And he doesn’t look one bit offended at Lucian’s sarcasm.

"No, but I assumed you’d relegate the work. You’ve got Windham in the works, after all."

Ah. Close enough. He’s talking about Windham like he’s long known about it.

"Attend this year’s Construction Summit."

"Are you trying to force my hand?" Scoffed Lucian.

"You make it sound like that’s possible. But you know why it’d be best if you attended." Shrugged Mr. Ainsworth.

"I’ll even throw in the design for your new house." He added.

I have money, but I’m also a penny pincher, and it’s taking all my willpower not to strangle Lucian into agreement.

"Sign their contract and prepare another for the house design. And don’t let me catch you trying shit at the Summit," Lucian warned, glaring at Idris.

Rina held on to her questions until Idris signed the contract. She looked like a pufferfish but managed to hold it in.

I’m proud.

So when the dam broke, she just had to ask, "Not that I’m complaining, but what the hell just happened?"

"You just got your design plan and main contractor. Was that not enough?"

"Wait a minute!" Rina held a hand up.

"You’re telling me I nearly offered my firstborn child as a sacrifice for nothing?! When you apparently know each other?!" A tad bit hysterical, but how could I fault her?

"Did you ever ask?" Lucian said as a matter of fact.

Touché.

I looked calm externally, like someone who anticipated today’s meeting’s success. But God knows how sweaty and clammy I’ve been the entire time.

Things like this never went right for me. Honestly, the reason I made money for Jasper before was because it was one of the things that didn’t get fucked with. For obvious reasons.

So, provided he made money out of it, Alexa kept her paws off it. It’s not like it wouldn’t eventually end up as her new bag or car.

Anything that made the clan look good was also relatively safe unless it made me look too good.

But the meeting didn’t take that long, and we got a contract on the spot. And I kid you not. The whole time, I was waiting for the shoe to drop.

What kind of bullshit conditioning have I been subjected to that I’m on the verge of a panic attack for something like this?

My stomach kept on churning, so I politely excused myself just in case. The private washroom wasn’t far, but my condition was only good enough for crawling.

Add nausea to my initial soreness, and I’m the perfect recipe for a disaster. And speaking of disasters, as I hobbled to the washroom, I was pulled over by Jasper.

His perfume almost drove me to vomit, and I was awash with a feeling of repulsion. I haven’t seen any of them in person until today. And I’m reeling like this.

"Finally, you’ve been so sticky to that guy that you’ve lost your decency." His voice was dripping with disdain.

Sticky? Decency? Does he even know what these mean?

I’m trying to lessen the air I inhale to counter his unpleasant scent, making me feel lightheaded. He’s using some expensive perfume, but all I remember is how he always used this one after visiting Alexa.

Something’s obviously wrong with me.

"Where do you think you’re going?" He sneered as he tugged harder.

Usually, I could easily whack this son of a gun, but not right now. So I tried side-stepping him and pulling my arm free but to no avail. This is the problem with privacy. Now, I’m cornered like a mouse.

I’ve had my head down since earlier, but in trying to free myself, I finally saw his crazed eyes.

"Do you have any idea just how much trouble you’ve caused all of us?"

"Me? Didn’t you cause all of that yourself?" I retorted, piecing together all my remaining energy.

"Ha!" His grip tightened, and I nearly winced at that.

"You think you’re so high and mighty now? Did you really think they’ll want to keep you after your reputation goes down the drain?" I looked befuddled, but that’s it. My body couldn’t afford to retaliate.

And the bastard finally noticed this gap.

Jasper laughed as he nudged my forehead with his finger, elated at my incapacity to fight back.

"Just perfect. See? See how fast your punishment is served." He kept on nudging, toying with me as he forced me backward.

I was livid and seriously considering the idea of a well-aimed projectile vomit when he suddenly threw a stack of papers at me.

Photos? I couldn’t tell immediately, but Jasper had that possessed look again.

"Tell me how that asshole would keep you after this." He gestured toward the mess he made.

"Or you could just willingly fix your mistakes. Come back and fulfill your duty with Nicholas, and maybe I’ll reconsider for old time’s sake."