Chapter 6
Myra wasn’t surprised to receive a call from the Hart Group, but she didn’t expect it to happen so soon.
The voice on the other end was Logan, the project manager to whom she had submitted the design earlier that day. His tone was courteous as he explained, “Miss Stark, Director Hart will be personally overseeing the Sunny Bay Project. He has reviewed your draft and would like to meet you to discuss the details.”
Myra was taken aback. The Sunny Bay Project? There were numerous projects under Hart Group—how did the director end up taking charge of this one?
“Mr. Logan,” she began, pausing for a moment before continuing, “Thank you for the opportunity. I appreciate your time and consideration. Please allow me to return the favor on behalf of Chase Group.”
Logan, hearing her response, seemed concerned that he might have misled her. He quickly added, “There’s no need for that. Mr. Clark just informed me that Director Hart would be available tonight. Please, don’t let this opportunity slip by, Miss Stark.”
The Sunny Bay Project had been a hot topic since the beginning of the year. Given that Chase Group had only ventured into real estate two years ago, securing such a prestigious project would be a major milestone.
With that in mind, Myra agreed to meet with Director Hart at the Ritz Carlton Hotel later that evening to discuss her design.
Tilly, busy with her own tasks at the office, was absent, and Elsie had been out of contact since noon. Myra tried calling Elsie, but received no response. Frustrated, she grabbed the design folder and headed to the parking lot.
Upon arriving at the Ritz Carlton, Logan was already waiting for her. He greeted her with an overly bright smile, “Good evening, Miss Stark. Director Hart is already waiting for you in the private dining room. Please, follow me.”
“I’m terribly sorry for being late,” Myra apologized, hurrying to catch up with him.
As they walked toward the lounge, Logan paused and turned toward her, still smiling. “Miss Stark, should you encounter any difficulties with this project, please don’t hesitate to reach out to me.”
Myra blinked in surprise at his sudden enthusiasm. She wasn’t expecting such a warm reception.
He cleared his throat before continuing, “I’ve seen your design, Miss Stark. I truly admire the talent you’ve shown at such a young age.”
His words left her momentarily confused, but his demeanor abruptly shifted. With a flourish, he opened the door to the lounge and gestured for her to enter.
Myra walked in, still puzzled by Logan’s strange behavior. The moment the door clicked shut behind her, she realized Logan wasn’t following her in.
“Take a seat,” a voice called from the far side of the room. It was deep and smooth, like the last note of a cello, rich and resonant.
Myra turned, startled.
She hadn’t noticed him when she entered, but now, seated at the dining table, was Tony. The room seemed to grow quieter at the sight of him. He wasn’t dressed in his usual formal attire. His suit jacket was absent, his tie loosely undone, and the sleeves of his white shirt were rolled up. He looked relaxed—an entirely different persona than the one she had seen earlier that day. A cigarette dangled from his fingers as he lit it, the glow of the lighter briefly illuminating his face before the smoke curled around him.
“Director Hart, I’m sorry to have kept you waiting,” Myra said, slightly flustered.
She had expected others from the Hart Group to be present at the meeting, but it seemed Tony was the only one attending. Myra had rehearsed answers to potential questions, but now, it appeared she would be facing the director alone.
She gave a polite smile and sat down in the chair across from him, her eyes scanning the dishes laid out on the table. The room’s atmosphere was thick with tension, and Myra couldn’t help but feel out of place. It was one thing to have a meeting in a group; it was another to be alone with someone so intense and imposing.
“Director Hart,” she began, “Allow me to introduce myself. I’m Myra, the Leader of Team A in the Design Department at Chase Group. I’m in charge of the procurement for the Sunny Bay Project, and this is the initial blueprint I’ve prepared. I’d be happy to discuss it with you.” She slid the drawing toward him.
Just as she removed her hand from the draft, Tony glanced up, his cigarette smoke spiraling into the air. A few rings of smoke swirled around her, making her cough.
She looked up at him, startled to find his dark, steady gaze fixed on her. The weight of his eyes made her shift uncomfortably in her seat.
Tony didn’t say a word. His expression remained unreadable as he studied the blueprint with an intense focus. After what felt like an eternity, he gently pushed the design aside. His posture was regal as he tilted his head slightly, and his jawline seemed even sharper from that angle.
“I hear you’re married, Miss Stark. Is that true?” he asked suddenly, catching her off guard.