Chapter 3 The Decision

Valentina Hart stepped out of Lorenzo Blackwood's office, holding her proposal folder tightly against her side.

She was annoyed, and she made no effort to hide it.

The man was unbelievably arrogant. He had barely acknowledged her greeting, questioned her figures, and spoken as though she should be grateful he had given her a few minutes of his time.

She paused in the corridor and looked back at the closed office door.

"Honestly," she muttered. "What is his problem?"

A staff member passing by glanced at her.

Valentina offered an awkward smile and continued towards the lobby.

She had worked too hard to build Hart Events to let one difficult client shake her confidence. She knew the quality of her work. She also knew that not every wealthy person understood what went into creating a successful event.

Still, she needed this opportunity.

The cancellation of her previous booking had left a hole in her schedule and her finances. The Blackwood Grand Hotel project could make a real difference to her business.

But she would not beg Lorenzo Blackwood to choose her.

If he wanted her services, he would have to recognise their value.

Maya was waiting for her near the reception desk. The moment she saw Valentina's expression, she raised an eyebrow.

"Judging by your face, I take it the meeting didn't go particularly well?"

Valentina let out a frustrated breath.

"Let's just leave."

Maya fell into step beside her as they walked towards the exit.

"That's not an answer."

"It's the only one you're getting until we leave this place."

Maya laughed softly. "Alright. I'll wait."

They left the hotel together.

---

Back in his office, Lorenzo stood beside his desk while Marcus waited for instructions.

"Have someone review this proposal," Lorenzo said, sliding Valentina's folder across the desk. "Check the budget, the suppliers, and every item she's included."

Marcus picked it up.

"Do you want me to have the events department review the design as well?"

"Yes. I want to know whether the figures are reasonable and whether the proposed arrangements can be executed within the hotel's requirements."

"Understood."

Lorenzo returned to the document in front of him.

"And don't approve anything yet. Bring me the findings first."

Marcus nodded. "I'll take care of it."

He left with the folder.

Lorenzo sat down and continued reading, but his attention wandered briefly to the conversation he had just had with Valentina.

She had not been intimidated by him.

That was unusual.

Most people became careful around him, choosing every word as though one wrong sentence might cost them something. Valentina had looked him directly in the eye and challenged his decision.

He remembered the brief flash of irritation in her expressive eyes.

A faint crease appeared between his brows.

He disliked being challenged.

He disliked even more that he remembered the details of her face so clearly.

Lorenzo pushed the thought aside and returned to his work.

---

By the time Valentina and Maya returned to their office, Valentina was still irritated.

She dropped her handbag onto the desk and let out a frustrated sigh.

Maya watched her before folding her arms.

"Well?" she asked. "What happened in there?"

Valentina pulled out her chair and sat down.

"Mr. Blackwood happened."

Maya laughed. "That bad?"

"He questioned practically everything. The budget, the arrangement, the expenses. I don't think the man knows how to have a normal conversation."

"Did he reject your proposal?"

"At first" Valentina leaned back in her chair. "But then he said he would have someone review it before making a decision."

Maya's expression brightened slightly.

"Well, that's not a rejection."

"It's not an approval either."

"True."

Valentina opened her folder and checked that she had all her documents.

"I just hope whoever reviews it understands what they're looking at. I put a lot of work into that proposal."

"They will," Maya assured her. "Your ideas are good, Val. You know that."

Valentina gave her a small smile.

"I know. I just need someone else to see it."

Maya moved closer to the desk.

"And what about the owner?"

Valentina looked up suspiciously. "What about him?"

"Was he as handsome as he looked in the pictures?"

Valentina stared at her.

"Maya, please."

"I'm asking a simple question."

"He's handsome," Valentina admitted reluctantly. "Unfortunately, his attitude ruins it."

Maya burst into laughter.

Valentina shook her head and returned her attention to the paperwork.

"I'm not going to spend the day discussing that man."

"Alright," Maya said, still smiling. "Let's discuss your proposal instead."

---

At Blackwood Grand Hotel, Marcus returned to Lorenzo's office later that afternoon.

He placed the folder on the desk.

"The review is complete," he said.

Lorenzo looked up from his laptop. "Go on."

"The finance department checked the proposed expenses. The figures are reasonable for the scale of the event. Some suppliers may offer better rates, but there is nothing unusual or excessive in the budget."

"And the design?"

"The events department believes the arrangement is workable. They recommend a few technical adjustments, but nothing that would affect the overall concept."

Lorenzo opened the folder.

"Did they find any problems with her company?"

"No, sir. Hart Events has handled several private functions and smaller corporate events. Their references are satisfactory."

Lorenzo turned a page, studying the details.

Marcus remained silent until he finished.

"Your assessment?" Lorenzo asked.

"I think she's capable of handling it. Her proposal is detailed, and the team believes her ideas can be executed within the hotel's requirements."

Lorenzo closed the folder.

"Then approve her company for the gala."

Marcus nodded. "I'll contact her."

"Tell her the proposal has been accepted, subject to the final arrangements being agreed upon. She can come in tomorrow to discuss the practical details with the events team."

"Would you like to meet with her?"

Lorenzo considered the question for a moment.

"Yes. I'll review the final arrangements before anything is confirmed."

"Understood."

Marcus picked up the folder.

"One more thing, sir. The event department asked whether they should prepare the ballroom for her inspection tomorrow."

"After she arrives. There's no reason to begin moving anything before the arrangements are agreed upon."

"Of course."

Marcus left.

Lorenzo turned back to his laptop, satisfied that the matter had been handled.

It was a business decision. Nothing more.

---

Valentina was arranging some documents on her desk when her phone rang.

She glanced at the unfamiliar number before answering.

"Hello?"

"Good afternoon. May I speak with Miss Valentina Hart?"

"Speaking."

"This is Marcus Reed, calling from Blackwood Grand Hotel."

Valentina straightened in her chair.

"Yes. Good afternoon."

"I've reviewed your proposal with our finance and events departments. I'm calling to inform you that your company has been approved to handle the charity gala."

For a moment, Valentina said nothing.

Then a smile slowly spread across her face.

"Really?"

"Yes, Miss Hart. We'd like you to come to the hotel tomorrow to discuss the final arrangements with the events team."

"Of course. Thank you for letting me know."

"I'll send the meeting details shortly."

The call ended.

Valentina lowered her phone, still smiling.

Maya, who had been sorting invoices nearby, looked up.

"What happened?"

Valentina turned towards her.

"We got it."

Maya's eyes widened.

"You got the job?"

Valentina nodded.

Maya jumped up and hurried around the desk to hug her.

"I told you! I knew they would see how good your proposal was!"

Valentina laughed, returning the embrace.

For the first time that day, the tension in her shoulders eased.

The opportunity was finally hers.

But her smile faded slightly when she remembered the man she would have to work with.

"There's just one problem," she said.

Maya pulled back. "What problem?"

Valentina picked up her phone and looked at the hotel number on the screen.

"Lorenzo Blackwood."

Across town, Lorenzo was signing another document when Marcus returned to his office.

"She's been informed," Marcus said. "She accepted the meeting for tomorrow."

Lorenzo gave a brief nod.

"Good. Make sure everything is ready."

Marcus turned to leave.

"And Marcus?"

He stopped.

"Keep the meeting professional. I don't want unnecessary delays."

"Yes, sir."

The door closed.

Lorenzo returned to his work, unaware that Valentina was already wondering how she would manage to work with a man who seemed determined to make every conversation a battle.