Dominic nodded approvingly after Evangeline's remarks. "It's a good thing she shared that information with us," he said, his voice firm. "If we hadn't caught on, it could have cost us dearly. That family would've taken advantage of us, selling the materials at an inflated price while making us appear desperate. We can't let them think we need their supply. Instead, we need to use their weakness to our advantage, but not by applying pressure outright. That would only create more problems down the line."
The guests leaned in, listening closely as Dominic continued. "What we need to do is turn the tables. Make them believe they need us more than we need them. That way, they'll be the ones desperate to meet our conditions, not the other way around."
Several guests nodded in agreement. One of them, a middle-aged man with thinning hair, raised his hand. "How exactly do we make that shift without damaging the relationship permanently?" he asked.
Dominic glanced at Evangeline, then addressed the room. "We do it by offering them something they can't refuse—whether it's continued business or exclusive deals in the future. But we make it clear that they're getting that opportunity because we're generous, not because we're being forced into it."
Another guest spoke up. "But won't they see through that tactic if we come on too strong?"
Evangeline stepped in smoothly. "It's all about balance. We need to show confidence, not arrogance. We'll offer them the chance to save face by lowering the price, but we'll frame it in a way that suggests it's mutually beneficial, not a demand."
Dominic nodded in agreement. "Exactly. We'll give them a lifeline while subtly ensuring they know they're the ones who need it."
The guests exchanged looks, clearly impressed by the strategic approach. One woman, who had been quietly observing, finally spoke up. "That sounds like a sound plan, but what about the timeline for the terrace construction? Won't delays impact the anniversary event?"
Evangeline smiled, having anticipated this question. "I've already considered that. The timeline is tight, but we can adjust the schedule by sourcing some of the materials locally. That way, any delays from the custom tiles won't hold us back entirely. We'll keep the project moving while we negotiate the final deal with the supplier."
Another guest chimed in. "And the budget for this anniversary? With the added costs of construction, won't that strain the overall finances?"
Evangeline, without missing a beat, pulled up her notes. "We've factored that into the revised budget. By reallocating certain funds and tightening expenditures in other areas, we'll ensure that both the terrace and the anniversary remain within budget. This event will draw attention to the hotel's reputation, and the terrace will be a highlight of that showcase."
Dominic leaned back, satisfied with how the presentation was going. "As you can see, we've accounted for the financial and logistical hurdles. What we need from you all now is your cooperation in ensuring the negotiations and the project proceed smoothly."
The guests murmured their agreement. One man asked, "What if other families in the region try to undercut us during this event? They've been trying to compete for some time."
Dominic's expression darkened slightly, but he remained composed. "If they try, we'll be ready. But they won't be able to compete with our reputation or the quality of what we offer here. Our competitors might be building, but they're chasing trends. We're setting them."
Evangeline chimed in, her voice confident. "This anniversary will not only celebrate our achievements but also reinforce our dominance. They can build all they want, but they won't replicate what makes us unique."
The room fell silent as the guests absorbed the weight of Dominic's and Evangeline's words. Slowly, one by one, they nodded in agreement, convinced by the couple's thorough approach and unwavering confidence.
As the discussion wound down, Dominic glanced at Evangeline with a look of approval, clearly proud of her ability to navigate the complexities of the business.
The guests filed out of the room, their earlier skepticism now replaced with respect.
By the time the meeting wrapped up, the mood had shifted entirely. What had begun as a room full of doubters was now filled with quiet respect for Evangeline's unexpected business acumen. And Dominic, standing at her side, had shown them that underestimating her had been their first mistake.
As the guests left, Edward shook his head with a grin. "I have to admit, she surprised me today."
Dominic only smiled, his expression softening for a brief moment. "She surprised us all."
After the conference meeting, a small welcome party was hosted in Evangeline's honor, celebrating not only her return but her impressive presentation. The room was filled with chatter as guests gathered around, congratulating her with warm smiles and curious questions. Many were surprised at her confident return and how expertly she had handled the discussions earlier. For the first time, Evangeline felt like she was no longer standing in Dominic's shadow. She was now being seen and respected in her own right.
As guests approached her, eager to talk about the topics she had brought up during the conference, Evangeline smiled warmly, though she couldn't shake the dull ache in her legs. The heels she wore, elegant as they were, had begun to cause a throbbing pain. She shifted her weight subtly, trying not to wince or show any sign of discomfort.
"My leg hurts in these heels," she thought, biting back the pain. But she stood tall, refusing to show any weakness. This was her moment, and nothing was going to undermine it.
One guest, a lady with a soft voice and a sharp eye for detail, approached her with admiration. "Lady Evangeline, your presentation today was remarkable. The way you handled the budget and negotiations was truly impressive. I don't think anyone expected you to know so much about the hotel's operations."
Evangeline smiled, brushing a stray lock of hair behind her ear. "Thank you, Lady Harrington. It's something I've been passionate about for a while, but I've only recently had the opportunity to share my ideas." She discreetly shifted her stance again, but her expression remained calm and collected.
A gentleman, standing nearby with a glass of wine, added, "The information you had about the construction delays and the tiles—it was quite insightful. How did you come across that? It seemed like you were already well ahead of us."
Evangeline chuckled softly. "I keep my ears open. When you've been around the business long enough, you start to pick up on things. And, as a gem collector, I've learned to notice when something isn't quite as it seems."
Dominic, who was standing nearby observing the conversations, couldn't help but feel a swell of pride. He knew Evangeline was capable, but seeing her in action, commanding the attention of the room, made him realize just how much she had grown into her role. Edward made his way toward her, and as he approached, a few guests stepped aside to allow them to speak privately.
"You did well today," Edward said quietly, his eyes reflecting a rare moment of approval. "I'm proud of how you handled everything."
Evangeline gave him a soft smile. "Thank you, Uncle Eddie. It means a lot coming from you." She carefully leaned against the table next to her, trying to subtly take some of the weight off her aching feet.
Just then, another guest approached, an older man who had been present at the conference. "Lady Evangeline, a toast to your success today," he said, raising his glass. "I think many of us were expecting Lord Dominic to handle the presentation, but I must say, you've proven yourself more than capable."
Evangeline raised her own glass, though her fingers gripped the stem a little tighter than usual. "Thank you. I appreciate the vote of confidence. I've spent a lot of time learning from the best," she said, nodding toward Edward.
As the evening continued, more guests came to speak with her, discussing not only the hotel's future but her personal interests, including her art. For the first time, they weren't just speaking to her because she was Dominic's wife—they were genuinely interested in her insights and ideas. Despite the pain in her legs, Evangeline stood firm, engaging in every conversation with poise and grace.
Dominic stood at the edge of the gathering, a glass of champagne in his hand, smiling faintly as several guests approached him to congratulate him on Evangeline's presentation. Though he accepted their compliments and engaged in brief business discussions, his attention was divided. He noticed Evangeline shifting her weight ever so slightly, her posture still graceful but betraying the discomfort in her legs.
He knew Evangeline well enough to understand she would never admit to the pain—not in front of him, and certainly not in front of their guests. She was determined not to show any sign of weakness. But Dominic, ever observant, decided to take action without drawing attention to it. Quietly, he signaled a staff member and whispered for them to fetch a pair of low-heeled shoes for her.
Once that was settled, Dominic excused himself and headed toward the restroom to take a moment of solitude. As he walked down the hallway, away from the music and chatter, he let out a sigh, finally allowing some of the tension to slip from his shoulders.
But just as he neared the door to the men's restroom, he froze. A figure stood at the far end of the hall, her silhouette unmistakable even from a distance. A woman with familiar brown hair, holding a glass of champagne, was watching him.
Dominic's chest tightened as the memories came flooding back. It was someone he hadn't seen in years, someone who had once been a deep source of both passion and turmoil. Eliza Venison.
The woman smiled knowingly, her lips curling into a smirk as she took a slow sip from her glass. "Hello, darling..." she said in a smooth, velvety voice. "It's been a while, hasn't it?"
She took a step toward him, the clink of her heels echoing faintly in the quiet corridor. As she approached, Dominic noticed the necklace she wore—the one he had given her all those years ago. The sight of it stirred a flicker of old feelings, emotions he had long buried.
"You..." he murmured, his voice low, caught between shock and a simmering frustration. He couldn't take his eyes off the necklace, a symbol of their past, now draped around her neck like a taunt.
Eliza smirked, tilting her head slightly. "Still as handsome as ever, Erinque And still as predictable." Her eyes glinted with mischief, and something darker, as she closed the distance between them.
Dominic's mind raced. He had moved on—or so he told himself—but seeing her again brought back a swirl of unresolved emotions. "What was she doing here? Why now? And what did she want from him?"
Before he could respond, the staff member he had sent earlier approached from behind, carrying the shoes for Evangeline. Dominic straightened, collecting himself. He took the shoes, his expression hardening as he looked back at the woman in front of him.
"I don't have time for games," Dominic said coldly, his eyes narrowing as he stepped past her, determined to return to Evangeline. Eliza simply smiled , her eyes following him with an unsettling calmness, as if their encounter was only the beginning of something more.
With the shoes in hand, Dominic was about to make his way back to the party, but the encounter lingered in his mind like a shadow as Eliza held his hand stopping him from going anywhere.