Page 4 of Lucas

I nod.

“Good. Now, you listen to me. Do whatever it takes to close this deal.” He straightens to his full height, using it to intimidate as he always does. “And I mean whatever it takes. Stop at nothing. When I get back from Vegas, I expect to see that contract on your desk with their signature on the bottom line.”

I slump back in my chair and close my eyes, exhausted. I never should have agreed to take over. Who am I kidding? I don’t even have the guts to stand up to my father.

But as Michael Gant’s only child, refusing was never an option.

Gant Construction will either rise from the ashes under my direction or go down in flames, taking me with it. At this point, I’m not sure which outcome I’m rooting for.

I knew the company was in rough shape, but I had no idea how dire things truly were until I got full access to the financials. We’re clinging to life by a thread, seconds from going under. Layoffs are inevitable at this point.

Sighing, I open my laptop and type “Pearl Garden Development” into the search bar with one finger. Let’s see which developer I need to pursue to keep us afloat.

“Miss Gant?” My assistant Bridget knocks and pokes her head in. “Jason Drewlo is here for his meeting.”

I glance at my watch and curse under my breath. I was supposed to meet with him fifteen minutes ago. “Send him in.”

I straighten and watch as a stocky man holding a hard hat enters my office, twisting the straps in his hands as he approaches my desk.

“Please, have a seat.” I gesture to the chair across from me.

He lowers himself into it, looking tense. “I’ve been a supervisor at Gant for a decade now,” he begins. “I’ve given everything to this company.”

I nod, already aware. I reviewed his personnel file earlier like I do with anyone who schedules a meeting. He’s a veteran employee with a solid track record. He even won “Employee of the Year” once.

“My wife and I recently had a baby girl, and?—”

“Congratulations,” I say with a polite smile.

“Thanks.” He ducks his head. “The thing is, I love working here, but it’s been four years since my last raise. And I know the other firms in town pay better.” He rushes the words out like he’s afraid to say them. “I asked HR, but they told me there won’t be any raises this year. So, I hoped…”

I take a slow breath, keeping my expression neutral even as my stomach twists. He wants a raise. At this rate, if we don’t get the Pearl Garden contract, I’ll be lucky if I can even afford to keep providing coffee in the breakroom. “I understand. Let me see what I can do.”

“Thank you. Really, thank you so much.” He stands, relief evident on his face. “This means a lot.”

I dig my nails into my palm and force a smile as I watch him leave, praying that the next time he walks into my office isn’t so I can hand him a pink slip.

Defeated, I open up my laptop again and click the search button. The results pop up. My stomach roils as I click the top link, the website for the South Bay Planning Commission, with a mounting sense of dread.

Please let it be a developer we can work with. Someone reasonable and above board. Anyone but?—

The developer’s name seems to mock me as it fills the screen in bold lettering.

Valeur Real Estate LLC.

My heart plummets, and white-hot panic surges through my veins.

I push back from my desk and walk to the windows overlooking downtown San Jose. From this high up, I can see for miles—the bustling streets lined with palm trees, the glittering high-rises of the business district, the rolling golden hills in the distance. On a clear day like this, I can even make out the vivid blue slice of the San Francisco Bay shimmering on the horizon. Normally, the view soothes me, reminding me why I love this city, this valley of innovation and industry.

But today, it all just feels like a cruel mockery, an unattainable dream slipping through my fingers. I press my burning forehead against the cool glass, trying to regulate my breathing and slow my galloping heart.

Of all the developers in Silicon Valley, why did it have to be them? I’d even take Prescott over Valeur. At least they don’t have a long, ugly history with my family. But Valeur? They’re my father’s personal nemesis and have been for as long as I can remember. I grew up hearing Father curse the Valeur name over numerous dinners.

It’s common knowledge in town that Gant and Valeur don’t do business together—we’re like oil and water.

Valeur tried to cheat my father on a deal years ago. The money was gone, and they had the audacity to blame him when it fell apart. We almost lost everything.

They’re ruthless, unscrupulous, and willing to knock outanyone who gets in their way. It’s no wonder they’ve built an empire with that kind of cutthroat tactics.