Chapter 21 Heads turned as I entered the office . My blue dress stood out starkly against the sea of gray suits , sparking whispers behind my back . My new office sat right next to Tracy's , with only a glass partition separating me from Jared's workspace , giving me a clear view of him at all times . Jared called me into his office along with several managers . The two hotels I was inheriting were failing Holcomb family properties - poorly maintained and currently operating at a loss . The managers ' reports confirmed my suspicions - outdated facilities , aging decor , and no viable strategy for improvement . They cited the ongoing losses as justification for withholding further investment . Jared sat silently nearby , his cold gaze fixed on me . I recognized his strategy immediately - he intended to saddle me with failing businesses , anticipating my struggle would send me retreating back to domestic life . The ploy was transparent . But as I reviewed the financials , I noted their prime location near Willow Bay . When the tourism boom came , these properties would be golden . My first order of business was getting Jared to finance the complete renovation of both struggling hotels . " Honey , " I said , turning with my most charming smile , " would you invest in your wife's first business venture ? " I met his gaze without blinking . If a little flirtation secured the deal , I'd play the game . My confident approach clearly surprised him . " How much do you need ? " he asked instead of refusing . After a quick mental calculation , I held up one finger . " Ten million ? " His eyebrow quirked upward . " One hundred million , " I replied . The math was simple - only by becoming the undisputed industry leader could we justify this investment . Top - tier hotels printed their own money . The managers ' stunned expressions said it all . That kind of investment in failing hotels must have sounded like pure insanity to them . Jared gave a humorless laugh . " Be serious , Victoria . Why would I pour that much money into guaranteed failures ? This proves you've no business sense . " I shrugged , undaunted . " We won't know unless we try ." " A hundred million is serious money , " Jared said flatly . A hundred million was no small sum , yet I knew Jared would gladly spend that exact amount next year on a luxury villa for Tracy , his most pampered songbird . " If you won't provide the funds , could I take out a loan to invest in these hotels ? " I asked calmly . Jared frowned slightly - he hadn't expected my determination . " Here's thirty million . Do as you see fit , " he finally said . It was less than I'd asked , but still a concession . 1/2 Cikapici 21 " Thank you , dear . " With the files secured and a smile that didn't reach my eyes , I made my exit . The calculations unfolded in my head - saving these hotels would require a solid strategy before any real work began . It was 2014 , and my travels in my previous life had introduced me to extraordinary hotels worldwide . Now I'd use that knowledge to transform these two properties into something extraordinary . All I needed was the right team to refine the vision and amplify their reputation . Social media was coming into its own this year , and I intended to secure our presence across every major platform . Timing was everything , and being first to market gave us our best shot . At six o'clock , the sky outside had already darkened . Jared knocked on my office door , making me look up from my paperwork . " Let's go out for dinner tonight , " he said . His invitation caught me completely off guard .