And it couldn’t have gone any better.
Graham had impressed the board, not only with the new partners that would alleviate some of their financial obligations but also with this party that every board member thought should be an annual event. He fully agreed, which in and of itself was startling. Alina had brought some Christmas joy to his heart.
But his board was continuing to press him about the new tower—the one that he’d said he could start ahead of schedule. And that would mean breaking Alina’s heart.
His gaze strayed to where she was speaking with her friend from the Christmas Café. They were smiling and laughing as they held flutes of champagne. He’d never seen her look so happy.
And that’s why he refused to say anything about the dismal findings about the Stirling. He didn’t want to tell her that the whole building needed to be replaced, whether by his high-rise or by another apartment building. In its current condition, it just wasn’t safe.
But for tonight, he would keep that news from her. If she were to find out, her brilliant smile that lit up the entire room would disappear. It would be like the life had been snuffed out of the party.
Who was he kidding? It wasn’t the party he was worried about, it was himself. He knew once Alina heard the news—that her home was going to be destroyed—that she would never forgive him. Could he blame her? Not really. He’d probably take the news a lot worse than her if the situation was reversed.
The hour was growing late when Alina’s stepmother approached him with questions about the bonus for moving out early. This was not a conversation he wanted to have here in a crowd where anyone could overhear what was being said. And it was not a subject he wanted to get into tonight.
“This is not the place to talk about business,” he said.
The woman’s gaze narrowed as her shrill voice rose. “If you’re trying to worm your way out of this deal, you can forget it. I have my attorney on speed dial—”
“Stop.” He tried to rein in his anger. This woman was noth
ing but rude and mean, especially to her own stepdaughter. The fact she and her daughters were even at the ball was a mistake—a big mistake—but there was nothing he could do about it now.
Anger flared in the woman’s eyes. “If Alina convinced you to renege on our agreement, you are mistaken. So what if her dress got ruined. It was an accident. I see that she got another one.”
“You ruined her dress?” He was astonished that someone could be so mean and petty.
“What are you getting so high and mighty for? I told you she got another one.”
“You need to stay away from her—”
“She’s the building manager, even if you’re playing the part for now. We both know that isn’t going to last. And when you get tired of my whiny stepdaughter, one of my daughters would be a much better match for you.”
He swallowed the bile that rose in his throat. The thought of having anything to do with this woman or her daughters was nauseating. He needed them to go away—far away from Alina, where they could no longer hurt her.
He had an idea. It was an idea he’d toyed with before but always hesitated about acting on. He didn’t believe anyone should be rewarded for bad behavior, especially not this woman and her two daughters, who both had their arms crossed as they stood behind their mother wearing the same evil scowls.
But there was another way to look at what he was about to do—a view from Alina’s side of things. Getting rid of this woman with her angry tone and nasty comments would make Alina’s world so much better. Alina wouldn’t ever again have to wonder if she’d have to deal with her stepmother that day or her sniping stepsisters. And for that reason and that reason only, he was willing to make a concession.
“If you’re willing to be moved out by the end of the weekend, I’ll double your bonus.”
Immediately the woman’s face lit up but just as quickly her narrowed gaze returned. “What’s the trick?”
“There’s no trick. I just want you gone.”
The woman’s dark gaze narrowed. “Are you offering this to everyone?”
“No. This is a one-time offer.”
“But the building is still being torn down, right?”
“Yes.”
Gasp!
Graham’s jaw clenched as he turned, hoping it wasn’t Alina standing there. His hopes were dashed. Alina’s face was ashen. But instead of the anger he’d expected to see on her face, there was disappointment in her eyes. And he knew that disappointment was directed right at him. He’d let her down.
If only her stepmother hadn’t gotten him so angry, he’d have kept his cool. He’d have followed his plan to speak with Alina first about the dire circumstances with the building.