Chapter 346
Madison
The driver opened the door, and Alexander stepped out first, then extended his hand to help me. I hesitated before taking it, trying to ignore the warmth that spread up my arm at his touch.
Outside, the air smelled of river water and damp earth. A salt–and–pepper–haired man in a suit approached from a parked SUV, accompanied by a younger woman clutching a portfolio.
“Mr. Knight,” the man called, extending his hand. “Sam Donovan. We spoke on the phone.”
“Mr. Donovan.” Alexander shook his hand firmly. “This is Madison Harper, my project manager.”
“Ms. Harper.” Donovan shook my hand. “This is Jessica Wells, my associate.”
Jessica nodded, her eyes darting between Alexander and me with barely concealed curiosity.
“Shall we begin the tour?” Donovan gestured toward the complex. “We can start with the main building.”
As we walked, Donovan launched into a detailed history of the property. It had been a textile factory in the early 1900s, then converted to various industrial uses over the decades before being abandoned fifteen years ago.
“The bones are good,” he emphasized, leading us into a cavernous brick building with soaring ceilings and massive windows. “All the structural assessments have been completed. We can provide those reports.”
I moved away from the group, examining the interior space. Sunlight streamed through dirty windows, illuminating the potential beneath years of neglect. My mind raced with possibilities: open–concept offices, retail spaces on the ground floor, perhaps a riverside restaurant with outdoor seating.
“What do you see?” Alexander’s voice startled me. He’d approached silently, standing close enough that I could feel his body heat.
“Opportunity,” I replied honestly. “These spaces could be transformed while preserving the industrial character. The high ceilings, brick walls, and river views are selling points, not obstacles.”
A smile played at the corners of his mouth. “You’re thinking like a developer now, not just a project manager.” “Is that a good thing?” I asked, meeting his gaze.
“A very good thing.” His voice lowered slightly. “I always knew you had potential, Madison. You just needed the right opportunities to prove it.”
The use of my first name sent a jolt through me, but before I could respond, Donovan called us over to examine some architectural features.
The next two hours passed in a blur of technical discussions, measurements, and negotiations. I took detailed notes on my tablet, occasionally interjecting with questions about permits, zoning variances, and timeline constraints.
By the time we returned to the car, my feet ached and my mind buzzed with possibilities for the property.
1/4
Chapter 340
“Your thoughts?” Alexander asked once we were alone in the backseat.
“It’s viable,” I said, organizing my notes. “The asking price is high considering the remediation costs, but the location justifies the investment. The numbers work if we can secure the tax incentives for the public access
areas.
“Spoken like a true executive.”
I felt my cheeks warm at the compliment. “I’m just being practical.”
“Practicality is underrated.” He loosened his tie slightly. “Are you hungry?”
The question caught me off guard. “I could eat,” I admitted.
Alexander leaned forward to address the driver. “John, let’s stop at Riverview Terrace.”
“Yes, sir.”
I glanced at my watch. “Don’t you have a meeting at one?”
“Rescheduled.” He looked amused. “You’re not the only one who can manage a calendar, Ms. Harper.‘
Ten minutes later, we were seated at a table overlooking the river at an upscale restaurant I’d never visited. The maître d‘ had practically fallen over himself welcoming Alexander, rushing us to the best table despite not having a reservation.
“Order whatever you like,” Alexander said, not bothering to look at the menu. “Their seafood is excellent.”
I scanned the menu, trying not to wince at the prices. “The salmon looks good.”
When the waiter appeared, Alexander ordered for both of us with practiced ease: salmon for me, steak for himself, and a bottle of sparkling water.
“No wine?” I asked once the waiter departed.
“We’re still working,” he replied, his blue eyes fixed on mine. “Though I’ve noticed you’re more talkative after a glass or two.”
Heat crept up my neck at the memory of our previous encounters involving wine. “I don’t need alcohol to express my professional opinions, Mr. Knight.”
His mouth twitched. “Clearly not. You were quite vocal at the property.”
Our food arrived quickly, another perk of dining with Alexander Knight, and I had to admit the salmon was perfectly prepared.
“You did well today,” Alexander said after a few moments of silence. “Donovan was impressed.”
“I was just doing my job.”
“No, you were doing more than your job. You were thinking ahead, seeing possibilities beyond the immediate project parameters.” He set down his fork. “That’s why I want you to consider taking on the Riverside development.”
2/4
I nearly choked on my salmon. “What? But the Manhattan Project
“Will be completed within the next few months,” he finished. “The Riverside acquisition won’t close immediately, and development wouldn’t begin until spring. The timing works.”
“You want me to manage both projects?” I asked, trying to process the implications.
“No. I want you to finish Manhattan, then transition to Riverside as your primary focus.” He studied me carefully. “Unless you’re not interested.”
“I’m interested,” I said quickly, perhaps too quickly. “I just didn’t expect… I mean, I assumed once Manhattan was complete, I’d return to being just your PA.”
“Just my PA?” His eyebrows rose. “There’s nothing ‘just‘ about that position, Ms. Harper. You’ve excelled at it. But you’ve proven you’re capable of more.”
I took a sip of water to gather my thoughts.
“Thank you for the opportunity,” I said finally. “I’d be honored to take on the Riverside project.”
“Good.” He nodded once, decisive. “You’ll need to assemble a team. I trust your judgment on who to bring in.”
“Even though I’ve only managed one project?”
“You’ve watched me work for over a year,” he pointed out. “You know how I operate, what I expect. That’s more valuable than a decade of experience elsewhere.”
The conversation shifted to specifics: timeline, budget parameters, design priorities. It felt surreal, discussing a multi–million dollar development over lunch like it was the most natural thing in the world.
As we finished eating, Alexander checked his watch. “We should head back. I have calls this afternoon.”
In the car, we continued discussing the Riverside property, but my mind kept circling back to the implications. Alexander was entrusting me with another major project. He saw potential in me beyond our arrangement.
What did that mean for us personally?
“You’re quiet,” Alexander observed as we neared the city.
“Just processing,” I replied honestly. “It’s a lot to take in.”
“Too much?”
“No,” I said quickly. “Challenging, but in a good way.”
“Good.” He turned his attention to his phone, effectively ending the conversation.
Back at Knight Industries, we rode the elevator in silence. As the doors opened on the executive floor, Alexander paused.
“Ms. Harper, I’ll need those notes from today compiled and on my desk by tomorrow morning.”
“Of course, Mr. Knight.” I stepped out of the elevator, instantly shifting back into PA mode.
I spent the afternoon at my project manager desk, compiling my notes from the site visit and researching comparable developments along urban waterfronts. Time slipped away as I lost myself in the work, imagining the possibilities for the Riverside property.
Sara Lili is a daring romance writer who turns icy landscapes into scenes of fiery passion. She loves crafting hot love stories while embracing the chill of Iceland’s breathtaking cold.
