Page 41 of The Last Resort
Here goes nothing—and everything.
The noise level in the room rose to a roar. As the doors on the opposite side of the room opened, the people nearest to it all stood up, blocking whatever was happening from Rachel’s direct view.
There were some unkind things said to the person moving into the room, and the head of the planning committee stood and bellowed at the crowd, “I will have order in the room. The next smart mouth who abuses Mister Royal will find themselves ejected from the meeting. Now you all go on and take your seats again!”
The only thing missing was the sound of a judge’s gavel hitting the table. The crowd cleared and as Rachel got her first glimpse of hertire kickernemesis, she was certain her racing heart had spluttered and come to a dead stop in her chest.
CHAPTER TWENTY
Matthew Jones was Mister Matthew Royal. A man she’d thought she knew. Or did she? His bespoke dark blue suit and matching tie all but screamed New York City wealth and privilege. No wonder he could afford an expensive Hermès scarf. He probably had a closet full of them at home.
Rachel fought back tears.No this can’t be happening.She swayed in her seat, stunned by his deception.
Matthew stopped the trolley in front of the planning committee, then turned to the now silent audience. “Good evening, ladies and gentlemen, members of the planning committee. My name is Matthew Royal. My family owns and operates many businesses throughout the world, but I personally work in the American hotel and resort operations, Royal Resorts, which is based out of New York City.”
A wave of nausea rolled over her. Any moment now, Matthew would look her way and when he did, he would wonder why the woman he was sleeping with, and who supposedly worked in a gift shop, was sitting with the representatives for the Green Tree Resort. He’d lied to her, but then she’d done the exact same thing to him.
Seated beside her, Dan leaned over. “That’s the guy whose been trying to buy the resort for the past couple of years. Apparently, the members of his family are all billionaires. I don’t trust him.”
She sucked in her lips and gave a silent nod in reply. Any second now her composure would crack and she’d either puke or burst into tears.
Both, knowing my luck.
A screen lowered from the ceiling and the lights dimmed. For the next few minutes, the gathering watched a slick video presentation of what Royal Resorts planned to do to the Green Tree site if it was successful with its bid. The video looked like it had been produced by a Hollywood studio. It even had a professionally produced soundtrack. It made a compelling case for the total redevelopment of the site. For a brief moment even Rachel was sucked into the narrative.
But there was so much lacking. The old stone and wood building was completely gone. The heart and soul of the original hotel, ripped out. In its place stood a glass and steel monstrosity. On the video screen in front of her, Rachel’s worst fears played out in high-definition sound and color.
In the dark, Rachel put a hand to her mouth. Matthew wasn’t the same as her father, he hadn’t committed fraud, but he was still as heartless. Only someone without a soul would consider knocking down a beautiful building which held such historical significance, and not bat an eyelid.
What sort of man does that?
The same sort who would toss aside his future bride just to please his mother. One who would never fully embrace what was important in life. Honor. Loyalty. Love.
Matthew is just the same as Anthony. Love wouldn’t matter to him either.
Her attention shifted briefly from the video to the middle-aged couple who had arrived and taken up the emptyseats next to Dan. Rachel’s anxiety soared to new heights, as she took in the worried expressions on their faces. She remembered the Brocks from her sister and Dan’s wedding.
They are here, which means a decision is going to be made tonight.
As the video ended, and the lights came back on, Matthew carefully removed the silver cloth which covered the table, revealing a scale model of what he now formally introduced as the new Royal Resorts Aspen.
The four members of the Brock family let out a collective sad sigh. Rachel’s heart went out to them. If these people, these billionaire raiders from the East got hold of the Green Tree Resort they would tear it down. Nothing of its history would be left.
Her gaze shifted from Matthew to the members of the planning committee. There were too many smiling faces in that group. The expensive video and shiny model had seduced them.
The same way he’d slipped so cunningly under her defenses.
I have to do something. If I don’t, then Matthew’s plans will get approved.
Once Royal Resorts had the planning committee on their side, the pressure for the Brock family to cave and sell the old ski lodge would be immense.
This was why the committee wanted the Brock’s here tonight. To force them to sell.
Matthew continued his sweet wooing of the council. Rachel glanced back at the rest of the mostly silent gathering and dread filled her. No one was standing up to defend the original resort. They’d all fallen victim to the smooth-tongued snake oil salesman.
Shame on you, Aspen.
When the Royal Resorts presentation was finally finished, Matthew thanked the committee, then took his seat. Rachelhad watched him throughout the whole thing, but he’d never once looked over to where she and the Brock family sat. He’d kept his attention mainly focused on the city planning committee, and occasionally the members of the public. The man was no fool—he clearly knew they were the people he had to win over.
