Free Web NovelChapter 306: Chapter 306 Date With Me
Christina’s POV
I didn’t know if I should trust him.
Daniel delivered his offer with that confidence he always had, like connections were just something he kept in his back pocket along with his wallet and car keys.
"I met Haldane at a business mixer last month," he explained. "The Granger family businesses have some long-standing ties with his family." A self-satisfied smile spread across his face. "Soon to be my company, not just my father’s."
Akira growled softly in my mind. "He’s so smug it makes me want to bite him."
"Not only that," Daniel continued, clearly enjoying my attention, "the Frostpelt Pack has been extremely generous with donations. City hall renovations, Haldane’s campaign fund, his daughter’s charity foundation. If I request a meeting with him, he’ll take it. No question."
I crossed my arms. In Highrise City, nothing came for free. Especially not from a Granger.
"And what’s your price?" I asked bluntly.
His smile widened. "A date with me."
"No."
He held up his hands like I was pointing a gun at him. "Don’t shoot me down so fast. I’m not asking you to be my mate or anything dramatic. Just dinner. Maybe a movie after. That’s all. I promise I won’t even try for a goodnight kiss."
"Why me?" I challenged. "The Frostpelt Pack has plenty of eligible females. You could have anyone."
"Except the one I actually want," he replied, his eyes fixed on me with annoying intensity. "I’ve only got eyes for you, Christina."
I laughed, the sound hollow even to my own ears. "That’s bullshit. You’re just trying to use me to get under Hudson’s skin."
"Or trying to get back at your brother through you."
His smile turned crooked. "Fine, you caught me. Maybe that’s part of it. But you’ll benefit too. Call it a mutually beneficial arrangement. So what do you say?"
I hesitated. I didn’t hate Daniel, not really. But I’d sworn to cut all ties with the Grangers. That family attracted trouble like honey attracted flies, and I’d already had my fill of their drama.
Still...
"Instead of introducing me to Haldane," I said slowly, formulating my counter-offer, "could you introduce someone else?"
His eyebrows knitted together. "Who?" ƒгeewebnovёl.com
"Hudson."
Daniel’s smile faltered. For a second, I caught a glimpse of calculation behind his eyes, followed by doubt. "I know what you’re trying to do. The moratorium rumor is spreading everywhere, and Laurent Global Holdings will take the hardest hit. But I don’t think putting Hudson and Haldane in the same room is a good idea."
"Why not?"
He swirled the ice in his glass, buying time. "There are things you don’t know. Haldane isn’t stupid. Normally, he’d never support a moratorium that makes enemies of every developer in the city. He knows that’s political suicide. Yet here we are. From my recent conversations with him, I got the distinct impression he hates this whole situation but feels compelled to push it forward anyway. Like someone’s forcing his hand."
I straightened my spine. "Who’s pressuring him?"
Daniel gave an exaggerated shrug. "No clue. It’s common knowledge at Urban Development that he’s been in a terrible mood lately, exploding behind closed doors. He’s close to retirement age. Could be political blackmail, could be money problems. Could be anything." fгeewёbnoѵel.cσm
I frowned, processing his information. City politics wasn’t my territory. I knew Haldane only as a name on a government website. But if Daniel was right, then Haldane was just a puppet. Someone else was pulling the strings. Someone determined to strangle Hudson’s company.
The thought that immediately surfaced made my pulse quicken. Lea.
It matched her perfectly. The ruthless tactics, the leverage, the taste for destruction when she wanted something. I didn’t know if she had enough influence over city hall, but if anyone did, it would be her.
"She’s been after Hudson since forever," Akira reminded me. "This is exactly her style."
Daniel’s voice pulled me back. "Haldane isn’t taking meetings with any developers right now. He won’t see Hudson or anyone remotely connected to LGH. But you," he gestured at me with his glass, "you’re different. You’re a jewelry designer from The Crescent Pack. That’s why I’m confident he’ll see you. Just don’t expect miracles. The moment you mention Hudson or LGH, he’ll shut down."
I knew he was right.
Daniel set his glass on a passing server’s tray and leaned closer, his voice dropping. "So I’ve laid everything out. Do you still want that meeting?"
I opened my mouth to answer, but never got the chance.
From across the grand hall, a sharp cry cut through the ambient chatter, followed by the scrape of chairs and rising voices. Heads turned, conversations halted. A ripple of alarm spread through the room like wildfire.
And then I saw him.
Hudson.
He staggered, his powerful frame suddenly unstable, before collapsing onto the floor.
My heart stopped.
