Total pages in book: 115
Estimated words: 112449 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 562(@200wpm)___ 450(@250wpm)___ 375(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 112449 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 562(@200wpm)___ 450(@250wpm)___ 375(@300wpm)
“Okay.” I put that aside for now since the whole point of this was for me to spy. I couldn’t ask for a lot of wiggle room on that one. “There’s also the part about ownership reverting to Steven Ellis in the event of my death.”
“In the event you pass without heirs,” he corrected. “Blood relations. Surely you don’t object. He’s investing a significant amount into this property. God forbid if something happened to you, why should that investment sit barren and empty?”
“What if I want to will it to another farmer? Someone who’ll work the land and take care of the animals after I’m gone.”
“You’re more than free to do so, Miss de Souza, as long as that farmer is a blood relation.”
I chewed the inside of my mouth, thinking. Downstairs, speaker feedback continually cut through my train of thought. The sun was setting. The New Boys were gearing up for their party.
This stipulation in the contract wasn’t unreasonable. I just didn’t like the idea of the farm not being mine to do what I want with.
If you die without heirs. Even willing it to Ivy would keep it in de Souza hands. She probably won’t come back to live here, but she’d see that it was taken care of the way Gran wanted.
“Alright,” I said. “Moving on.”
We continued on through the rest, ending on a pleasant note.
“You have a bright future ahead of you, Miss de Souza,” he said. “If you ever decide a small-town law firm is more your speed, join us at Graham and Associates.”
I laughed. “Will do. Have a good evening.”
“You as well.”
It was five minutes after I hung up that Jeremy came into the room.
“What’s it going to be?” He dropped down on the egg chair. “All good? Contract signed.”
I handed him his phone, studying him. I’d been on many trains of thought since I got in his car. “Why did you come here?” I asked. “Do you know anything about a company called Foundry?”
“You’ve been talking to Creed.”
“No, I overheard them talking—which is the point. To find out what they know, and they seem to know that you’re more than you’re saying. What is Foundry? What does it do?”
He shrugged. “My dad invests in many companies. I can’t keep track of them all.”
“Where does the distillery fit into all of this?”
Another shrug. “He wants it. St. James won’t let him have it. Dad doesn’t take well to no.”
“But he doesn’t need to establish his own town to buy out the distillery. Don’t give me anymore bullshit answers,” I said when he opened his mouth. “I’ve taken three classes dealing with land, property, and ownership. If he wanted to build his own distillery, this would make sense. He can’t come in and do something like that without approval from town hall—which he wouldn’t get.
“Bedlam has strict rules about commercial development. Lumber companies, grocery chains, golf courses, and all sorts have tried to claim the patches of land sitting empty. All have been shot down. In that case, I can almost see creating your own town where no one is going to tell you no.
“The effort you’ll have to go through to get fifty-one percent of Bedlamites to turn their back on a town they’re damn proud of, is overkill just to get your hands on one...” I trailed off, narrowing on my silent opponent. “Of course.”
“Of course what?”
“I’m stupid. It’s so perfectly obvious I should’ve seen it before.”
Jeremy stood to face me. “You think you figured something out, share with the rest of the class.”
“It’s not about acquiring a business that’s already there. Lumber, store chains, and golf courses. None of those companies were allowed to cut down or build here. Foundry wants to do both or either of those things, and they know it’s going to be a flat-out no. That’s why you need to create your own town.”
Jeremy was expressionless.
“You guys in Hunter’s Crest have already bought, sold, or developed every blade of grass within the city limits. While Bedlam is miles and miles of untapped potential and a huge youth market.” I clapped. “Well done. Whatever business you want to start here must be insanely lucrative. No other reason you’d go through that much trouble.”
“Interesting theory.” A smile broke out on his lips. “But like I said, I don’t think about what the old man gets up to, but while we’re talking huge youth market, I should float the idea of a club. Definitely one or two smoke shops.”
He flicked over my shoulder. “Hope your little revelation isn’t going to stop you from signing. The land is still yours even if a new town pops up around it.”
“I know.” I tossed him the contract. “I signed ten minutes ago. I want the keys in my hand by the end of the month, and Cruella is to deliver them personally. Good luck with your diabolical plan. But just a warning, despite you calling us hicks every chance you get, Bedlamites aren’t stupid. Other people will figure it out. We won’t give our home up to developers as easily as you think.”