“Absolutely, and we don’t swindle people.”
“That remains to be seen. Discuss your proposal,” Matthew says.
I hand out the folders Yvonne has prepared and thank God I can speed read.
I flip open mine and ask them to turn to the same page.
“Your resort hasn’t been updated in almost ten years. That means there’s going to be renovations that will need to be done, equipment that will need to be replaced, and staff that are most likely stealing from you,” I say. “We need to take these things into account when discussing a price.”
“The price is set at a firm nine million dollars,” Matthew says. “There is nothing to negotiate.”
I flip the page. “Your resort doesn’t even make nine million in revenue. Looking at these figures, I would be generous and offer you five million for the resort on condition it’s transferred immediately so that we can make the necessary changes off-season and maximize profit during peak season.”
“Five million? Do you think I’m an idiot? I know its potential,” Matthew growls. “Igor, your estate agent is pushing her luck.”
Igor looks at me and then at Matthew. “Potential or not, that’s not what your property is currently turning around in profit, and I’m going to have to invest heavily to get the resort to reach that potential. That is why we are offering you four million dollars less.”
I can feel Igor looking at me with longing, but I don’t let it go to my head. Matvey is silent and Yvonne is beaming.
“Six million,” Matthew finally says.
“If you want us to give you six million, you need to include something else in the deal,” I say, looking into his eyes.
He smirks. “You’re tough, I’ll give you that. Aside from the resort, I have a theme park nearby. For eight million, I could be persuaded to part with both.”
I look through the folder. “I don’t have the financials on the theme park, so I can’t say whether it’s worth an additional three million. We’ll give you five million for the resort, and if the theme park is as cracked-up as you say it is, we will give you an additional three to purchase it.”
I fold my hands in front of me and look at Matthew and his brother.
“We have a deal,” he says finally after a long pause.
He stands up. “Have your lawyer draw up the contract for me to review, and if all looks good, I will sign it.”
I stand up and hold out my hand, which he shakes. “Of course, we’ll have that to you ASAP.”
Igor stands up and fixes his suit jacket before shaking the brothers' hands. “The food will be out soon. Yvonne, Matvey, and Arina can go now while we discuss business.”
That is our hint to leave.
We get up and leave the table, only stopping when we’re in the lobby.
“You think you’re clever,” Matvey says, turning to look at me.
“Don’t start, Mat.” Yvonne gets between us.
“How can you trust her to know what is best for our family? She’s been in it less than a week,” he says.
“Because she needs her place in it, and she’s good at this. Didn’t you just hear that excellent deal she negotiated? Not even you could do that.”
“I could have,” he huffs. “I was told not to get involved.”
He looks directly at me. “I’ve got my eye on you, Arina. I know you will betray us.”
He turns and walks off, and Yvonne clicks her tongue. “Ignore him. I know you’ve turned a corner. Why don’t we celebrate with some bubbly in the private pool upstairs?”
“It is rather hot,” I say. “Sure, why not.”
We take the elevator back upstairs and agree to meet in the hallway. I go into the suite and change into the skimpiest bikini I brought with me. I know how curvy my body is, and I know how good I look in bikinis.