The Rival Hearts

Chapter 4

I walked into the country club, determined to find Mr. Harris, the owner of Star Grove. He was proving to be quite stubborn, but I was equally determined to persuade him to sell me his hotel. I knew he often played golf with his friends here, so I hoped that after the game, he might be in a more agreeable mood.

It had been over a week since I'd seen William, which was a relief. Our recent interactions had been tense, and we both needed some space. The situation was becoming toxic, and I had to admit, I was getting too comfortable in his presence.

As I approached the clubhouse, I spotted him sitting at a table on the terrace. My heart sank when I saw who was sitting across from him—William. He looked entirely too comfortable, casually leaning back in his chair with a drink in hand, his signature smirk firmly in place.

I hesitated for a moment, debating whether to approach them or not.

Taking a deep breath, I squared my shoulders and walked over to them. "Mr. Harris," I greeted with a polite smile, "I hope I'm not interrupting."

Mr. Harris looked up, his face breaking into a smile. "Isabella! Not at all, please join us." He gestured to an empty chair, but I remained standing, my gaze shifting to William.

"William," I acknowledged curtly, my voice tight.

"Isabella," he replied smoothly, his eyes sparkling with amusement. "What a pleasant surprise."

I sat down. "At this point, it shouldn't be because somehow you're always around." My tone didn't hide my sarcasm or annoyance. "You two are well acquainted?"

"We met at the golf course," William explained happily.

"Sure you did." My smile tightened. "Mr. Harris, I was hoping we could discuss the proposal again. I've thought of a few more points that might interest you."

"Of course," Mr. Harris said, but before I could say more, he turned to William. "You know, William was just sharing some fascinating stories about his family's ventures. Quite impressive."

"Oh, you flatter us, Elliot," William replied with a cheeky smile. "But you're definitely right. The Montgomery name is famous, far and wide. One would say people look up to us for guidance," he said, the last part directed at me.

As William's words hit me like a slap in the face, I clenched my jaw, struggling to maintain my composure. I couldn't let him get to me, not now, not in front of Mr. Harris.

"That's one way to put it," I replied coolly, forcing a smile. "But I believe every family has its own legacy, Mr. Harris. Some more colorful than others."

"One thing we always say is, it's crucial to make sure that any changes made to any hotel respect its legacy," he continued. "Wouldn't you agree, Isabella?"

I forced a tight smile. "Absolutely."

"Ah, and you also mention the importance of stable financial backing in such ventures, William," Mr. Harris said. "It's another thing to worry about."

My jaw tightened. "My team and I are more than capable of securing the hotel."

"Yes, but having the right people in charge is another important factor."

I shot him a withering look but kept my tone measured. "That's exactly why I'm here—to assure Mr. Harris that our team is committed to making this hotel a success. We have the experience, the vision, and the resources."

William chuckled softly, clearly enjoying my struggle. "Sometimes it's better to think carefully about who you trust with such an important legacy."

My patience snapped. "We're not here to talk about trust issues, William. Mr. Harris—"