Chapter 30: He wasn’t stupid
The next day.
Violet met with Leo at the site. Jen had driven her there.
When she got to where Leo’s car was parked, she stepped down and joined him. His PA stood beside him. Violet noticed the tattoo peeking out from his collar towards his neck.
They exchanged pleasantries, and Violet kept a professional tone all through.
They stepped forward, away from Jen and Vincent.
"We can’t use our car, and walking is not ideal, but from here, you can already see that activities have commenced, although not fully."
Leo nodded, his eyes sweeping through the entire place.
"And what about the buildings that still have people and businesses?" He asked.
She had expected him to ask her this question and had an answer prepared for him. "As you know, not every person or business can be moved at once." He had led major development projects in the past; he ought to know that.
"What are the plans for them? If development activities are to commence in a month’s time, will they not become an obstruction and hinder it?"
Breeze rustled Violet’s hair, and she brushed it back. They were now standing at a clearing overlooking the entire development. Her eyes lingered briefly on the man putting up a pole at the side.
"Mr. Kings, that is not my job. So I can’t exactly tell you the plans being made for their evacuation." She said in mock annoyance. "Besides, other investors didn’t get the chance to visit the site. This is a benefit you enjoy because I approached you directly." And because you paid me 60 million, she wanted to add but didn’t.
Leo kept a straight face, so she couldn’t exactly tell what was going through his head.
"You do have a point."
They walked for a long time before stopping in the restaurant she had visited yesterday. The windows were closed; only the door was open.
Since Emily had signed the deed transferring the entire property to Jill and Jones, she could no longer do business there.
Violet felt her legs go weak. She had worn heels because she was meeting with him, and by this point, she probably had blisters.
"We can stop here. I’ve seen enough." Leo was equally as tired.
Visiting the site was a test he had specifically set up for her. That was because he hadn’t fully trusted her yet. He had been in the industry for years and knew that investors were not approached the way she did him, nor did they ask for a large sum before giving out information.
He wasn’t stupid enough to go along with every word she said simply because she was very attractive.
He had done his own research and knew that this was the site for the project. He also knew about the event that was coming up tomorrow evening, and that was his second test.
Violet, who was beginning to think Leo possessed extraordinary strength, let out a breath. It was refreshing to know he was tired too and they could stop.
"Alright."
Ding!
Con Playbook Updated.
Trust: 45%.
Note: Target has independently verified Host’s claims and elected to proceed.
Field Test: Passed.
Violet’s mood brightened. His trust for her was growing, and so was the possibility of pulling this scam.
"We should probably head back." She said and turned around.
"Before we do." Leo began, and Violet stopped in her tracks. "Are you going for the event tomorrow?"
Violet turned around. She arched a brow. "What event?" She questioned.
"Tomorrow’s stakeholders event." He answered.
Didn’t Dominic say that the event had not been made public? How did he know?
"Are you not aware of that?" Leo’s question caught her off guard, pulling her out of her thoughts. His entire body tensed, and she didn’t miss the hint of suspicion in his voice.
"Of course I am. I’m simply wondering how you found out about it. Only a few stakeholders and signed investors know about it."
"I have my ways." He said, looking at her. She had maintained a detached energy and didn’t flinch under his intense gaze. She could vaguely guess what his intentions were. To attend the event with her. "I’ll be your plus one tomorrow. Even if I am not an investor yet, I can surely tag along with you."
Violet felt a deep sense of gratitude towards her system. The Con Playbook was truly a capable assistant, and she was sure it had given her that quest on purpose.
"On one condition: you cannot tell anyone about our business relationship."
Leo had no problem with her condition. It was standard practice to maintain professional distance between a recruiter and a potential investor, especially one still considering a deal.
"Accepted. Tomorrow, you do all the talking. I’m just your plus one."
When they got to the spot where Vincent and Jen were standing, Violet noticed that Jen had her arms crossed over her chest, and her back was slightly turned away from Vincent, an annoyed and irritated expression plastered on her face.
Vincent opened the door for Leo and bowed to Violet, his eyes lingering briefly on her face before he walked away, even ignoring Jen.
She rolled her eyes at his back and ushered Violet back to their car.
On the ride back to the hotel, Jen informed her that the things they bought had been stored in the warehouse, and the others would be brought over in two days.
Violet made a mental note to visit the warehouse during the weekend and put everything into her spatial inventory.
She opened her system and checked the Con Playbook. In the category for saved items, she could see the invitation that she had received.
Violet had gotten that invitation from Dominic by using her mind push, but he knew her only as the girl who had helped secure Emily’s building.
Even though Leo wanted to go as an observer, he was going to watch how she interacted with others at the event, and she needed to figure out a way to make it seem like she belonged there.
She needed a plan. A solid one. But at that moment, her head felt blank. She couldn’t think of any.