Shortly after, they arrived at Salvator Enterprise’s Paris branch office. Leo, Mina, and Marco were ushered inside, where a group of executives and shareholders awaited them. The room buzzed with quiet tension, and Mina could feel the weight of each gaze as they took their seats around the grand, polished table.
Leo sat confidently at the head of the table, and Mina settled next to him, feeling out of place yet determined to stay calm. Leo's expression hardened as he looked around the room.
“All right,” he began, his tone sharp, “how did we reach this point? I want to know why there’s a protest outside one of our most promising projects.”
One of the directors, a silver-haired man with a wary look, cleared his throat. “Mr. Salvatore, one of our major shareholders recently withdrew his support. He’s also been vocal against the project, claiming it compromises the city’s heritage. We believe he’s the one encouraging the protest.”
Leo’s eyes narrowed, his jaw tightening. “So he’s inciting the public to serve his own agenda?”
“Yes,” another board member confirmed, sighing. “We suspect he’s using the heritage angle to stir emotions and turn the city against us.”
Mina watched Leo’s reaction, noticing a faint, dangerous smile playing on his lips. She leaned closer to whisper, “You don’t look too worried.”
He smirked. “Oh, I’m not. If he wants to play games, he’s picked the wrong opponent.”
Marco spoke up, breaking the tension with his calm voice. “We need a plan, Boss. We can’t risk more negative publicity, especially with such a high-profile project.”
Leo nodded, his gaze still fierce. “Fine. We’ll handle this in two ways: damage control and counteraction. Mina,” he turned to her suddenly, “I want you to draft a statement that highlights our commitment to respecting Paris’s heritage while showing the community aspects of the project.”
Mina blinked, momentarily caught off guard. “Uh, sure,” she replied, feeling her cheeks heat up slightly. “I’ll get on it right away.”
Leo continued, addressing the board. “And as for our dissenter… I’ll handle him personally. He thinks he can undermine me? Let’s see how long he lasts once we tighten our stance.”
The executives exchanged relieved glances, and the tension in the room softened.
Leo’s assurance brought renewed confidence to the entire room, and Mina found herself relaxing, even feeling an odd thrill watching him handle everything with such control and decisiveness.
As the meeting wrapped up, Leo leaned over to Marco, his voice dropping to a murmur. His tone was calm, but something dark flickered in his expression—a trace of the ruthless strategist underneath. Mina watched curiously, straining to catch a few words but failing.
Whatever Leo was planning, it seemed intense, a strategy that Marco nodded to without hesitation.
When they finally left the meeting room, Mina couldn't hold back her curiosity. “So… what was that all about?” she asked, hoping for some insight.
Leo only gave her a sly smile. “Let’s just say… by tomorrow, our dissenter may start seeing things our way.”
Mina raised an eyebrow. “Is that your polite way of saying you’re planning something ruthless?”
He chuckled, his tone laced with something dark and intriguing. “You catch on fast. I have a few ways to make people… reconsider their choices.”
Mina swallowed hard, glancing out at the Paris streets as the evening lights cast a warm glow. The surreal atmosphere made her wonder if she had stepped into a different world—a world where Leo held power and commanded it with ease. Her thoughts drifted until the car slowed, pulling up to a grand mansion on the city’s edge.
Once inside, Leo invited her to a nearby café to discuss the project further. When she arrived, she found him seated by the window, sipping an espresso as he reviewed a stack of documents. He looked up, motioning her to join him.
“So,” he asked as she settled into her seat, “what do you think of Paris?”
“It’s beautiful,” she said, unable to hide her excitement. “I’ve always dreamed of coming here.”
A slight smile played on his lips. “Paris has a way of doing that. But remember, we’re here to work, not sightsee. There’ll be time for exploring later.”
She nodded, her mind already racing with the possibilities ahead. The next morning, Leo introduced her to the project team—a dynamic group of architects, designers, and executives deeply involved in the hotel’s renovation plans. The meeting room buzzed with energy as blueprints, fabric swatches, and detailed schedules were spread across the table.
Mina absorbed everything, scribbling notes and focusing intently. Every now and then, she’d feel Leo’s gaze on her, quietly observing her performance. Determined not to disappoint him, she stayed sharp.
As the day progressed, the team debated design options for the lobby. Out of nowhere, Leo turned to her. “Mina, what’s your take on the modern art installations we’re considering?”
She blinked, caught off guard. “I think they’re striking,” she said carefully, “but maybe a touch of Parisian influence would connect more with guests. Perhaps Art Nouveau or classic French motifs?”
A thoughtful silence fell over the room. Leo’s nod of approval made her pulse quicken—he valued her opinion, and it showed. She couldn’t help but feel a quiet surge of pride.
That evening, Leo surprised her with an invitation to dinner at a charming French bistro. As they waited for their meals, he studied her, a hint of warmth softening his expression.
“You surprised me today,” he admitted. “You’re adapting faster than I expected.”
Mina felt her cheeks flush. “Thank you. I’m doing my best to keep up.”
Their conversation grew more personal as they shared stories of dreams and ambitions. She found herself opening up in ways she hadn’t expected, and he listened with an intensity that made her feel truly seen.
*
As they arrived at the grand mansion on the outskirts of Paris, Mina’s eyes widened in awe. The place was breathtakingly lavish—high ceilings, intricate artwork, and antique furnishings that rivaled Leo’s estate in New York.
Leo caught her expression and smirked. “Impressed?”
“Are all Salvator properties this… extravagant?” she asked, raising an eyebrow. “How many places like this do you have?”