Page 31 of Claiming My Nemesis

I found myself wanting more than just a break from the high-stakes world I lived in. I wanted her in a way I hadn’t expected, and it terrified me. I was afraid that if she knew the truth, this woman who was used to a simple life would reject me for the very things I was trying to escape.

Now, I was trapped in my own deception, with no clear way out. The business was pulling me in one direction while my heart was pulling me in another. And I had no idea how to make the two worlds meet.

The Telluride deal was critical, not just for Whitmore but also for Sterling Solutions’ reputation. If I couldn’t salvage it, the fallout would be significant—not just financially but professionally. Perhaps my lack of focus caused me to overlook the regulations I should have been aware of—I was sure Sophia would agree.

I shook my head and reached for my phone again, tempted to call Natalie. Instead, I sent a quick text, letting her know I’d be in touch as soon as I could. It wasn’t much, but it was all I could offer.

Taking a deep breath, I forced myself to stand up, pushing aside the personal turmoil. There was no time to dwell on my feelings now—I had a job to do, and the stakes were too high to let anything distract me.

I grabbed the files related to the Telluride deal and headed down the corridor to the conference room where my legal team and Sophia were waiting. The walls of the room were lined withbookshelves filled with legal texts and binders, a sign of the countless deals we’d navigated over the years.

Sophia was already there, her eyes scanning the pages of a document. She looked up as I entered, her expression all business. “We’ve got a problem, Ethan. Colorado’s new environmental regulations are stricter than we anticipated.”

I nodded, taking a seat at the head of the table. “Whitmore’s already on the edge. If we don’t figure this out, the deal is dead.”

Our head of legal, a sharp, no-nonsense woman named Linda, slid a thick binder toward me. “We’ve been reviewing the changes. The land in question is now protected under the revised Natural Preservation Act. That means no new development, no renovations, nothing that alters the current landscape. It’s essentially a dead asset if you’re looking to expand or modernize.”

I flipped through the pages, my mind racing as I tried to think of a way around the issue. “What about grandfather clauses? Exceptions?”

“None that apply here,” Linda replied, her tone grim. “The law is airtight. This isn’t something we can easily maneuver around.”

Sophia leaned forward, her gaze intense. “We need to think creatively. There’s got to be some way to make this property valuable to Whitmore, even with the restrictions.”

I rubbed my temples, feeling the weight of the situation. This wasn’t just about saving the deal—it was about maintaining the reputation of Sterling Solutions. “What if we focus on the eco-tourism angle? Market the resort as a luxury escape that emphasizes untouched nature, sustainability, and minimal impact?”

Linda considered it for a moment, then nodded slowly. “It could work. We’d need to pitch it in a way that aligns with the current trend toward eco-conscious travel. It won’t be the sameas a full renovation, but it could appeal to a different type of clientele.”

Sophia picked up on the idea. “We could also look into partnerships with conservation groups. Turn the resort into a model for sustainable tourism. It’s not what Whitmore originally wanted, but it could still be profitable—and more importantly, legal.”

I exhaled, feeling a small flicker of encouragement. It wasn’t a perfect solution, but it was something. “Let’s draft a proposal and see how Whitmore reacts. We need to move fast on this before he pulls out entirely.”

The team nodded in agreement, and we quickly began drafting new strategies and reworking the pitch. The uneasiness in the room was palpable, but it was the kind of anxiety I thrived on—the pressure to find a solution, to make something work against the odds.

For the next few hours, we were buried in legal documents, marketing strategies, and financial projections. The focus shifted entirely to the task at hand, the outside world fading away as we delved deeper into the intricacies of the deal. By the time we wrapped up the meeting, we had a plan that might save the deal and keep Sterling Solutions at the top of the game.

As I walked out of the conference room, the sense of accomplishment was tinged with the lingering thought of the message I’d left for Natalie. The workday might be over, but the real challenges were just beginning.

Desperation started to creep in as I thought about Natalie’s sweet smile, the way it could light up a room and ease the tension in my chest. I needed to see her, to know that things weren’t completely falling apart between us. On a whim, I navigated to the preschool’s website, searching for some connection to her and some sign of what was going on in her life.

That’s when I noticed the announcement for the upcoming fundraiser, planned for next weekend. The event was something she had mentioned in passing, but seeing it now gave me an idea—a way to possibly bridge the growing distance between us.

But as much as I wanted to believe this could be my chance, doubts gnawed at me. Could showing up unannounced really fix things? Or would it only make matters worse?

I wasn’t sure, but at this point, I knew I had to try. The thought of losing her was unbearable, and I was willing to do whatever it took to make things right—even if it meant taking a risk that might blow up in my face.

Seventeen

Natalie

One Week Later

The sky was a brilliant blue, and the cooler breeze after the heat wave was a welcome relief, gently rustling the leaves of the oak trees that lined the park. The scent of kettle corn mingled with the fresh grass, and the slight tang of barbecue smoke created an atmosphere that was pure, small-town Americana.

Tents dotted the park, sheltering various booths, games, and the all-important silent auction. The air was alive with the sounds of children’s laughter, the occasional bark of a dog, and the upbeat music playing from the DJ’s booth near the stage. It was shaping up to be the perfect day.

I had barely stepped out of the van with a box of last-minute supplies when I heard a familiar voice calling my name. “Miss Natalie!” Before I could turn around, a small pair of arms wrapped around my legs, nearly causing me to drop the box.

“Whoa there, Jude!” I laughed, setting the box down on a nearby table to return the enthusiastic hug. “You’re getting stronger every day, kiddo.”

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