Page 54 of Falling for Mr. Grump, the Big City Billionaire

"Ready?" I whisper.

Troy's barely perceptible nod is all the confirmation I need.

And suddenly, I'm not nervous anymore. I'm ready to fight.

I clear my throat, straighten my shoulders, and give Troy a tiny nod.

Here goes nothing.

I open my mouth, and the words just… flow. Maybe it's the adrenaline, or maybe it's the fact that I've been thinking about this for weeks. Either way, I feel like I'm on fire.

"We all know how much Seaside Cove means to us," I start, my voice steady. "It's not just a town; it's our home. A place where we can raise our kids, start businesses, and live our best lives." I glance at Troy, who's giving me a supportive smile. "But lately, we've been facing some pretty serious threats."

I pause, letting the weight of my words sink in. "We've got big corporations eyeing our land, our businesses, even our way of life. They want to turn Seaside Cove into just another faceless tourist trap."

I can feel the tension in the room. People are shifting in their seats, their faces a mix of worry and anger. Good. I want them to feel it.

"But we're not going to let that happen," I declare, my voice rising. "We're going to fight back! We're going to show them what Seaside Cove is really about."

I turn to the projector screen, where the first slide of Troy's presentation is displayed. It's a beautiful image of the town square, bathed in warm afternoon light. "This is our town," I say, pointing at the screen. "This is what we're fighting for."

I can feel the Bellamy sisters watching me, their eyes narrowed. I just smile back, sweet and innocent, while my brain is already plotting their downfall.

"And this," I say, moving on to the next slide, "is our plan."

I launch into a detailed explanation of the strategy, my voice filled with confidence.

"We're not just here to talk about dollars and cents," I say, my voice growing stronger. "We're here to talk about history, about community, about the soul of this town. And yes, about sustainable economic development."

I pause, letting the weight of my words sink in. "We propose designating key historical buildings and sites as protected landmarks. The old fishing pier, the lighthouse, the antique shop – these places are more than just structures. They're the heart and soul of Seaside Cove."

I glance at Troy, who's nodding in agreement. He's got that CEO look back on, but I can see the flicker of something else in his eyes – a hint of admiration, maybe even understanding.

"But we also need to think about the future," I continue. "We need to support small businesses, attract tourists, and protect our natural resources. We can do this by creating a vibrant community that celebrates its heritage while embracing the future."

I pause, taking a deep breath. "By working together, we can ensure that Seaside Cove remains a thriving, sustainable community for generations to come."

I can see the skepticism on some faces, but I don't let it deter me. I keep talking, faster and faster, my words tumbling out like a waterfall.

When I finally finish, the room is silent. Then, Mayor Roberts coughs, breaking the tension. "Well, Miss Martinez, that was… quite a presentation."

Oh, he's trying to be sarcastic. I can smell it.

"I know it's a lot to take in, Mayor Roberts," I say, my voice dripping with fake sweetness. "But we've put a lot of thought into this. We believe it's the best way to ensure Seaside Cove's future."

The room erupts in a flurry of questions.

"What about property values?" someone shouts from the back. "Won't this hurt our investments?"

"How will this affect our taxes?" another voice chimes in.

I exchange a worried glance with Troy. These are tough questions, and we need to answer them carefully.

"Great questions," I say, trying to calm the crowd. "Let's address them one by one."

I turn to Troy, who steps forward with a confident smile. "Regarding property values, our plan actually aims to increase them. By preserving the town's unique character and investing in infrastructure, we'll attract more visitors and residents, which will drive up demand for housing and commercial properties."

He pauses, letting his words sink in. "And as for taxes, we're committed to keeping them as low as possible. We'll explore ways to generate revenue through sustainable tourism and other innovative strategies."

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