The Other Side of Greed (The Seven Sins #5) - Lily Zante Page 0,7
will bring in? We’ll make millions. A heck of a lot more than Kyra Lewis and her outfit.”
“She’s doing good work. She employs vulnerable people from homeless shelters, victims of domestic abuse. She gives them a chance to rebuild their lives. The work that woman does has meaning.” And though she doesn’t say it, her death stare indicates that mine doesn’t.
I press my lips together. I didn’t expect her to clap, but I expected her to be impressed. I’m going out on a limb here. Stepping out of my usual business-like domain. This is different for me. I’m thinking outside the box, but she doesn’t see any of that.
“You putting that report together for me has turned you into her biggest fan.”
“I can’t help but admire her,” Emma states. “Did you read any of it?”
I cock my head and grimace. “I flicked through it.”
She shakes her head. “How do you propose to go about this, given that you don’t fully understand her or her business?” she asks.
“I don’t need to understand her. I just need to infiltrate her workplace. I’ll pretend I need a job. I’ll work for free, naturally, and then I’ll win her over with my charm.”
Emma rolls her eyes. “It’s a crazy idea.”
“But it will work.”
“She’s smart. She won’t fall for your lines as easily as you think.”
“I’ll tell her I have ideas. There will be holes I’ll have to fill. Things I haven’t thought of. I’ll make it up as I go.”
“People aren’t stupid, Brandon. Even the ones you call ‘peasants.’” Her voice is almost a sneer. Sometimes I wonder if Emma hates me and is simply tolerating this job because the perks and salary are good. I’ve only used that term a few times. While I don’t consider someone like Kyra Lewis to be a peasant, everything I’ve read about her tells me she’s not Jessica Montrose, although I knew that already.
Who the hell starts a business for the betterment of society instead of for the sole reason of making money? I will never understand people like her, but I don’t need to understand Lewis in order to get her to do the thing that need to be done; the things that will benefit me.
“You’re not going to tell her who you are?”
“Do you think she’d want to listen to anything I have to say if she knew who I was? This way is better. She won’t know me, or why I’m there.”
“Won’t she hate you when she finds out? When they all do?”
“Do I care? I’ll have secured the land by then. I don’t care what happens to any of them after that.”
“Why not leave it to Neville and your usual sleazy tricks?”
“Those things take time. He’s on it. That’s the back-up plan in case this doesn’t work.”
“I don’t see Kyra Lewis falling for your charms.”
“I’m not planning on seducing her, Emma. She’s not my type. Besides, she’s young and not fully experienced when it comes to business matters. I’ll convince her that it’s a bad idea to stay where she is. I’ll make suggestions to relocate. Who cares?” I stand up, feeling rather proud of myself and adjust my cufflinks.
“You have no soul.”
“And I consider myself very lucky.”
I’ve done my due diligence, and I plan to build condos and luxury apartments, and have an upscale shopping mall filled only with designer boutiques. The area will abound with restaurants and bars. I’m looking at insanely, filthy profits from this development, and nothing or no one will stand in my way.
Not even Kyra Lewis.
“What if she recognizes you?”
“Who, aside from the people who work here, know what I look like? I don’t do the celebrity, paparazzi circuit. I don’t court publicity.” I’ve avoided the limelight for years. Many in my position wouldn’t, but I have more to hide than most.
“This will get you only so much publicity, and when you’re found out, it won’t be good for the company.”
“No one’s going to find out. I’m not going to force her out. I’m going to gently persuade her. The choice to leave will be hers.” My persuasive skills are legendary, as Kyra Lewis is about to find out.
Emma heaves out a sigh. “You’re making a mistake.”
“This is a business proposition for me. Not a date.”
“Then send someone else to do your dirty work. There’s no reason for you to go. You’ve got far more important things to do here.”
I sit back and examine my clean fingernails. “Because if I find some dirt on her, I’ll soon