Chapter 3 The Billionaire's Conditions

Charlotte had one simple plan for the morning.

Wake up early, prepare a brilliant presentation, impress the board and secure the contract.

It was a good plan.

Unfortunately, Alexander Sterling was part of it.

And that alone made the entire thing suspicious.

She stood in front of her bedroom mirror, adjusting the sleeves of her white blouse.

Her dark trousers were neatly pressed, her hair was styled, and her makeup was simple.

She looked professional.

She felt professional.

She was ready to make money.

Her phone rang.

"Hello, Olivia."

"Are you awake?"

"No, I'm answering you in my sleep."

Olivia laughed.

"Someone woke up with attitude."

"Someone has a presentation with a billionaire who thinks the world revolves around him."

"Well, it probably does. He has money."

Charlotte rolled her eyes.

"That's exactly the problem with rich people. They start thinking their bank accounts are personality traits."

"Please don't fight with him today."

"I won't."

"Promise?"

Charlotte picked up her handbag.

"I promise to try."

"Charlotte!"

"What? I'm being honest."

She ended the call and walked out of her apartment.

The corridor was quiet.

She glanced at Alexander's door.

Good.

At least she wouldn't have to see him before her presentation.

She pressed the lift button.

Just as the doors opened, Alexander stepped out of his apartment.

Charlotte stopped.

He looked at her.

She looked at him.

"Morning," he said.

She blinked.

Was that a greeting?

"Good morning."

He glanced at her outfit.

"Presentation?"

"No, I'm attending a royal wedding. I thought I'd dress appropriately."

His eyes returned to hers.

"You're always this sarcastic?"

"Only before breakfast."

He checked his watch.

"Ten o'clock. Don't forget."

Charlotte stepped into the lift.

"Thank you for the reminder. I was worried my calendar might suddenly stop working."

The doors closed between them.

Alexander stood in the corridor for a moment.

Then he shook his head and walked towards the stairs.

---

At Sterling International, Charlotte was already seated in the conference room when Daniel arrived.

"Good morning, Miss Bennett."

"Good morning."

"Did you have any trouble finding us?"

"No. Your building is quite difficult to miss."

Daniel laughed.

"Would you like some coffee?"

"Please. Strong enough to help me survive this meeting."

He smiled.

"I'll see what I can do."

A few minutes later, several board members entered the room.

Charlotte greeted them politely and arranged her presentation materials.

Then Alexander walked in.

Everyone stood.

"Good morning, Mr. Sterling."

"Morning."

He took his seat at the head of the table.

His eyes briefly met Charlotte's.

"Miss Bennett."

"Mr. Sterling."

Daniel placed a cup of coffee beside her.

Charlotte gave him a grateful smile.

Alexander noticed.

He said nothing.

"Shall we begin?" one of the board members asked.

Charlotte stood.

"Thank you for giving me another opportunity to present my proposal."

She connected her laptop to the screen.

"This gala isn't just another corporate event. It's an opportunity for Sterling International to strengthen its public image while raising funds for the children's education programme."

She displayed the first design.

The room became quiet.

Charlotte explained the venue, the guest arrangements, the entertainment and the decoration.

She spoke confidently, answering questions without hesitation.

One of the board members leaned forward.

"I particularly like the idea of featuring stories from the children who will benefit from the programme."

Charlotte smiled.

"I think guests should understand what their contributions mean. It shouldn't just be an evening of expensive food and beautiful decorations."

"Excellent."

Another board member nodded.

"I agree."

Alexander looked at the presentation.

For the first time, he seemed genuinely interested.

Charlotte continued.

"The event will have a formal dinner, a charity auction and a short performance. I've also included a separate area for guests who prefer quieter conversations."

She changed the slide.

"This is the proposed layout."

A board member pointed towards the screen.

"What happens if we receive more guests than expected?"

"I've included an alternative arrangement that allows us to increase the seating without making the venue uncomfortable."

"Very good."

Charlotte smiled.

She was getting somewhere.

Then Alexander spoke.

"What happens if the main sponsor withdraws?"

Charlotte turned towards him.

"I've included a backup sponsorship plan."

"And if the venue cancels?"

"An alternative venue has already been contacted."

"What if the entertainment company fails to arrive?"

"I have a second entertainment company on standby."

He leaned back.

"What if the entire event goes wrong?"

Charlotte stared at him.

"Then I'll personally carry the microphone, serve the food and sing for the guests."

A few people laughed.

Even Daniel lowered his head to hide his smile.

Alexander didn't laugh.

Charlotte returned to her seat.

"That's all from me."

One of the board members began clapping.

Another followed.

Soon, the entire table was applauding.

Charlotte smiled, genuinely pleased.

"Thank you."

The chairman of the board turned towards Alexander.

"I think we've found our event planner."

Alexander glanced at the proposal.

Then at Charlotte.

"I agree."

Charlotte almost dropped her pen.

He agreed?

Just like that?

She had prepared herself for another argument.

The chairman smiled.

"Excellent. Let's discuss the contract."

---

Twenty minutes later, Charlotte was reading through the agreement.

The payment was good.

Very good.

It would allow her to pay her staff properly, cover the company's expenses and invest in better equipment.

She was pleased.

Until she reached the conditions.

Her eyebrows slowly pulled together.

"Excuse me."

Alexander looked up from his phone.

"What?"

She turned the document towards him.

"What's this?"

"Which part?"

"Section seven."

He glanced at the page.

"Standard company conditions."

Charlotte read aloud.

"'The event planner must receive final approval from the executive office before making major decisions regarding decoration, entertainment, guest arrangements and expenditure.'"

She looked at him.

"Are you hiring me to plan an event or to ask for permission to breathe?"

A board member cleared his throat.

"Miss Bennett, it's simply a control measure."

"I understand that. But if I'm responsible for the event, I need enough authority to do my job."

Alexander placed his phone on the table.

"And if you make a decision we disagree with?"

"Then we'll discuss it professionally."

"What if we don't agree?"

"Then we find a solution."

"That's not an answer."

Charlotte closed the document.

"Mr. Sterling, I'm not asking to spend your company's money without supervision. I'm asking you not to interfere with every little detail."

He stared at her.

"I don't interfere."

Daniel coughed.

Charlotte looked at him.

Then back at Alexander.

"Of course you don't."

The chairman interrupted.

"Perhaps we can adjust the wording. Major decisions will require approval, but Miss Bennett will have authority over the day-to-day planning."

Charlotte nodded.

"That works for me."

Alexander didn't look particularly pleased.

But he didn't object.

The chairman extended his hand.

"Welcome to Sterling International, Miss Bennett."

Charlotte shook it.

"Thank you. I'm looking forward to working with you."

She glanced at Alexander.

"Most of you, anyway."

Daniel coughed again.

Alexander slowly raised his eyes.

"Miss Bennett."

"Mr. Sterling."

"Try to remember that this is a professional arrangement."

Charlotte smiled.

"Don't worry. I wouldn't want to confuse it with a friendship."

---

After the meeting, Charlotte returned to the reception area with her signed agreement.

Daniel followed her.

"Congratulations."

"Thank you. I honestly thought the meeting would end with me being escorted out."

He laughed.

"Mr. Sterling can be difficult."

"That's a very polite way of describing him."

Daniel smiled.

"You'll get used to him."

Charlotte stopped walking.

"Please don't say that. It sounds like a threat."

He laughed again.

"Your first planning meeting will be next week. I'll send you the details."

"Perfect."

She checked her phone.

"I need to make a few calls. Thank you for everything, Daniel."

"You're welcome."

Charlotte headed towards the entrance.

Just before she reached the doors, she heard someone call her name.

"Miss Bennett."

She turned.

Alexander was approaching.

Daniel immediately found an excuse to walk away.

Charlotte noticed.

Coward.

"Yes, Mr. Sterling?"

"Don't make me regret approving this contract."

She looked at him for a moment.

Then smiled.

"Don't make me regret accepting it."

His expression remained serious.

"Good day."

"Have a lovely one."

She walked out.

Alexander watched her leave.

He wasn't sure what irritated him more.

Her constant comments, her refusal to be intimidated or the fact that she had managed to impress the board in less than thirty minutes.

Probably all three.

---

That evening, Charlotte arrived home carrying two shopping bags and a small box of pastries.

She had decided to celebrate securing the contract.

Nothing extravagant.

Just food, a comfortable evening and perhaps a movie.

She stepped out of the lift and headed towards her apartment.

Unfortunately, someone was standing outside her door.

Alexander.

Again.

Charlotte stopped.

She looked at him.

Then at her apartment number.

Then back at him.

"Do you need a map?"

He frowned.

"What?"

"You seem to spend a lot of time outside my door."

"I live opposite you."

"Yes. I've noticed. Several times."

He glanced at the shopping bags.

"You're blocking the corridor."

Charlotte looked down.

Her bags were beside her feet.

She picked them up.

"There. The corridor has been rescued."

He held out a small envelope.

"This was delivered to my apartment by mistake."

She accepted it.

"Thank you."

He nodded.

Then his eyes moved towards the box in her hand.

"What's that?"

"Food."

"I can see that."

"Then why ask?"

He looked at her.

"Never mind."

Charlotte unlocked her door.

"Goodnight, Mr. Sterling."

"Goodnight."

She stepped inside and closed the door.

For the first time since moving into the building, she smiled.

She had secured the contract.

Her business was moving forward.

And she had successfully survived another conversation with Alexander Sterling.

Not bad.

Across the corridor, Alexander entered his penthouse.

He loosened his tie and walked towards the kitchen.

His phone rang.

It was his mother.

"Alexander, darling. Have you forgotten about Sunday lunch?"

He sighed.

"No, Mother."

"Good. Your aunt will be there, and I expect you to behave yourself."

"I always behave myself."

His mother laughed.

"That's exactly what worries me."

He shook his head.

"Goodnight, Mother."

"Goodnight, darling. And please, try to bring someone interesting home for once."

He ended the call.

Then he looked towards the wall separating his apartment from Charlotte's.

Someone interesting.

He scoffed.

The woman across the hall was many things.

Interesting was not the word he would have chosen.

At least, not yet.