Chapter 7: The Game Begins
Theron's POV
I entered the meeting room, the space where I personally handled high-stakes meetings. Everything about this room reflected my style—sleek, professional, and authoritative. As I stepped in, the air around me shifted, growing tense with anticipation.
John stepped forward. "Boss, these are the top three sales directors and their teams—Ms. Isabella Wilson, Mr. Jason Brown, and Mr. Lucas Smith. They are not only key contributors but are also known for handling high-profile clients."
The three bid their greetings, and I acknowledged them with a nod. The room had forty seats on either side, but my place was at the center—the seat of control.
John continued, "The planning and development team has surveyed multiple land options for the project. Each of these locations has been carefully assessed, but you'll have the final call."
The large screen lit up with images of potential sites, and I watched in silence as the sales directors discussed the merits of each. Then, a particular piece of land caught my eye. It was in the heart of the city—a prime location.
If we built the mall there…
The advantages were obvious. The land was surrounded by four major roads, making accessibility effortless. Public transportation was within reach, ensuring high foot traffic. The combination of high-income residents and student population in the area meant an endless flow of potential customers. The kind of location that corporations fight over.
"How did this land go unnoticed?" I asked, intrigued.
John cleared his throat. "It didn't. It belongs to Adkins Real Estates."
My eyes flicked toward him. "Adkins?"
""Yes. They acquired it recently, and fortunately, they're open to selling. But securing it won't be easy. Their policies are strict, and multiple corporations have already started bidding. If we're serious, we need to move fast before they finalize a deal elsewhere."
John pulled up their company profile. "Adkins Real Estates was founded four years ago by Aurora Adkins."
I barely glanced at the name before skimming the rest—until something caught my attention. I leaned back in my chair, reading again.
Unlike most firms in the industry, Adkins Real Estates didn't operate on aggressive takeovers or shady dealings. Instead, they had built a reputation on fairness and integrity. They didn't snatch business from competitors. They didn't undercut or manipulate. They played the long game—winning not through intimidation, but through sheer expertise.
And it was working.
Their elite clientele trusted them because their contracts were air-tight. Their clients—regardless of financial status—received the same meticulous service, making them the rare company that wasn't just respected, but admired. Even their biggest competitors spoke of Aurora Adkins with reluctant acknowledgment, some with outright frustration.
She wasn't just surviving in this ruthless industry—she was dominating it.
I tapped a finger against the table. "Interesting."
Aurora Adkins had managed to build something solid in just four years. That alone meant she wasn't someone to underestimate.
I glanced at the directors, who were waiting for my decision.
"We're going after this land," I said. "Not just because of the location. I want to see if Adkins Real Estate is as competent as their reputation suggests."
The room buzzed with agreement.
"You have three days," I continued, turning to the three sales directors. "Each of you will prepare a proposal. We'll choose the best one, and that team will handle negotiations with Adkins."
A challenge hung in the air as Isabella, Jason, and Lucas exchanged glances.
I stood, signaling the meeting's end.
"Impress me," I added before walking out.
With that, I left the room, already anticipating the battle ahead.