Blackmailing the Billionaire(2)

The moment the words were out he felt shame, Carig not someone who took any pleasure in hurting others. It did not help the way her large brown doe eyes filled with hurt and pain, her heart-shaped lips struggling to keep the small tremor from them before she shifted in her seat, trying hard to hide her upset as she pulled open the small bag she clung to. From within she extracted a letter before nervously unfolding it with fingers which shook handing it over to him. “I thought you might not be keen, and you should know Mr Calle, that I am determined. I will do whatever it takes to get what I want... Even if that means fighting dirty. I contacted Mr Lucian of the Barella Corporation and he was most kind... and generous”

Carig took the letter from her, his eyes scanning the words, lifting his shocked gaze back. “He is offering you twice what I was... You know why he is doing this don’t you?” Nodding, she sat stiffly once more, “I understand that Mr Lucian would like to block your proposed plans... And yes, he is being very generous” Carig’s thunderous voice made her flinch. “This project will provide much-needed jobs in this area Joy... You know this... YOU are putting the whole future of this area in jeopardy... Why the hell would you do that?... These people are your friends and neighbours”

Her eyes held his steadily. “You were right when you said that I could not fight you... But he can... And he will. You and I both know that he has the resources to hold this up forever” Dropping her head, guilt shot through her. He was right. She was playing with the future of the entire area. The future of people she had grown up with, many already having turned on her. Farming was no longer the industry it used to be in the English countryside, most farmers struggling to compete with cheaper imported produce. The development the Calle Corporation proposed would see a huge golf course, five star hotel and resort bringing hundreds of jobs to the area, and jump-starting the tourist opportunities for the many pretty villages scattered around. However, this was the only way... The only way to help Ricco, and she was going to see it through, no matter what. Taking another steadying breath she looked back up, a pleading light in her eyes. “Please Mr Calle. This may seem crazy to you... But I have my reasons. I have no interest in selling to Mr Lucian... As you can see from my offer... None at all. I would much rather sell to you... But I will sell to him if you force my hand. This will be over in a few months, three at most... Then you will have your land and will never have to see me again”

His eyes once more dropped to the letter, anger at having been outmaneuvered filling him with cold rage. What choice did he have? She had backed him right into a corner. Dropping the letter, his look rose to hers. “Fine. Seems I have little choice Miss Reid. However, I want this agreement in writing. I will have my lawyers draft something up for this afternoon”

Relief swamped Joy, her shoulders drooping as the tension and a long sigh left her body. The smile she gave radiated from her, Carig stunned at the difference it made; how it elevated her from his initial impression of being pretty, despite his earlier brutal words, to beautiful. Scowling, he turned away. No he would not think of her like that. This woman had played him to get her still yet-unknown way, and nobody – least of all a small slip of a girl from some backwater farm – did that to him. With mouth set, he watched as she leapt to her feet, sliding a small piece of paper across to him. “I put my cell phone number on here, and look forward to hearing from your lawyers. The sooner we get started the better” He leant forward picking up the paper, his mind thoughtful. He would make her pay for this.

The rest of the day rolled by in a blur for Joy, she only having time for a tea in a small coffee shop close to the intimidating Calle building before her phone rang, the officious lawyer requesting her presence in an hour. Sitting sipping the much needed drink, her mind played over the events of the meeting. Things had gone far smoother than she could possibly have hoped for, her lips quirking at the memory of the anger in his eyes. He was even more handsome up close than in the many pictures she had seen of him on the internet. In most, he was accompanied to special events by stunning blondes, another chuckle escaping her lush lips. He did seem to like blondes, her fingers capturing a lock of her own dark hair, lifting it, a rueful curl to her mouth. No, she was certainly not his type.#p#分页标题#e#

From his black glossy hair, fashionably cut, to his sensual mouth, he was stunning, another gurgle of laughter rising within her. If he had not been born with a silver spoon in his mouth and made head of the Calle Corporation, he could most definitely have modelled for a living. Stirring the tea, she frowned. It seemed good looks ran in men of his circle, anger once more gnawing at her as she took another calming sip. Well, people like him had to learn that they could not run over those with less resources than themselves, certainly not those desperate.