Page 12 of Taming the Elusive Billionaire

CHAPTER FOUR

MASONBLACKWOOD

I was standing outside on one of the decks, drinking a coffee, with my other hand in my pocket. I watched as James, the handler who handles all the building construction my company needs, gave me an outline of what was happening in one of our building projects in Tennessee using a large piece of paper.

“Yeah, I am telling you, sir, the locals have been somewhat of a problem. I have been trying to get them to agree to have us situate our site there.”

“Why?” I asked, frowning. “Didn’t we offer more than a million dollars to appease them?”

“We sure did, sir, but money isn’t their problem.” He replied with a sad shake of his head.

I dismissed the notion and focused on another part of the paper, “The world is in a recession. Nobody would refuse to sell.”

“They are adamant they are not not—”

“James,” I interrupted him. “Are there any major things we need to worry about apart from them refusing to sell?”

“Yes, actually, the land that we are trying to acquire has a family-owned farm.”

“Oh, who owns it?”

“The Edwards.”

“Why does that name sound familiar?”

“They have been in the business for so long. It’s more like an heirloom.”

“And their net worth?”

“Roughly five million after taxes.” He said after a moment’s pause.

“Then we buy them off.”

James frowned and scratched his head. “It seems you don’t understand, sir. They are unwilling to sell.”

“Add a million to the one already stipulated. The market value of this place is too big to ignore.”

“Sir—”

“You have been with me for years, James, and by now, you should have known I don’t like it when people try to question my words, not once but repeatedly.”

“I am sorry, sir.”

“Do you think you know this business better than me, by any chance?”

A blush crept up his neck, and he backed up slightly and said, “I am sorry, sir, it won’t happen again.”

“Good.” I looked away from the file. “I want to have the deeds to the land and building by the weekend.”

James looked at me, alarmed, “But, sir, the weekend is just two days away.”

“Do you have a problem with that? If you do, I will be expecting your res—”

“The time is perfect, sir.” James retorted and turned to walk away.

I frowned and looked away while wondering why people never wanted to do what was expected of them without using threats.

I turned toward the garden and saw her. Lucy. Yeah, that was her name. Even though she was far from me and had her back turned toward me, it was hard to miss her shape.

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