Chapter 2 Two

The morning light filtered through the sheer, gauzy curtains as Jade unlatched the sliding doors of her childhood bedroom and stepped onto the narrow balcony overlooking Dune Haven's central courtyard. The soft breeze carried the familiar scent of salt and blooming frangipani, but today it felt like an uneasy calm before a brewing storm.

Pressing her palm against the cool metal railing, she closed her eyes and replayed the previous day's confrontation with Marco, the tension still palpable. The clock was ticking: they had one week to deliver an airtight environmental impact study or face the irrevocable ruin of their family legacy.

Below her, the resort staff bustled with early-morning preparations. Groundskeepers swept the meandering pathways, rhythmic strokes echoing the quiet of the morning. A line of freshly laundered towels glowed like beacons against the pale wicker chairs, while the café's tables emerged from their twilight shroud, ready to serve the first fragrant coffee of the day.

Yet, this façade of normalcy deepened Jade's growing unease. Restoring permits and securing reluctant investors was daunting enough; compelling the elusive Elliot's attention felt like trying to catch smoke with bare hands.

Inside the room, her phone buzzed sharply, jolting her from her thoughts. It was a text from her mother, filled with concern:

> Jade, any news on the permit extensions? Please call when you can.

With a practised calm, Jade tapped out a quick reply-I'm on it. Don't worry before tucking the device back into her pocket. Turning back into the room, she spotted Marco waiting by the door, a heavy folder of binders clutched in his hands. His eyes, weary and red-rimmed from countless sleepless nights, brightened when he saw her.

"You're early," he noted, a hint of relief in his voice. "I thought you'd be at the office by now."

"I couldn't sleep," Jade admitted, smoothing the hem of her crisp linen blazer as if vowing to bring order to the chaos of the day ahead. "The sooner we start, the better." She reached for the binder Marco offered, sensing the weight of the responsibility it held.

Together, they crossed the tiled hallway to the small office Jade had meticulously converted from a staff room. The air was thick with the scent of coconut-scented cleaning spray mingling with the faint aroma of sea salt. Faded posters depicting local wildlife hung on the walls like sentinels of their mission.

On the single desk lay a chaotic spread of papers: site surveys, water-quality reports, land-use maps - and looming above them all, the calendar page marked in crimson-April 8: Environmental Impact Study Due.

"First things first," Jade declared, flipping open the binder to a meticulously highlighted page. "We need to categorize all endangered species on the property and cross-reference them with the county's stipulations. Once we have that, we'll assemble supporting letters from the marine biologists and forestry experts I consulted last year."

Marco nodded, handing her a notebook brimming with handwritten notes and insights. "I've already reached out to Dr. Patel for the lagoon analysis. He can fast-track his report by Tuesday if we stress the urgency."

"Good," Jade replied, the gears of her mind already turning as she tapped a pen thoughtfully against her lips. "I'll draft the authorization forms tonight so he can get started right away.

Next, we need those soil samples from the dune stabilization project." Her gaze drifted toward the sandy path beyond the window, where the waves lapped against the shore, a reminder of both the beauty and fragility of their environment.

"And we need Elliot's buy-in. Without his corporate backing, the county will view our efforts as just another desperate plea from a family operation."

Marco's face tightened, a flicker of unease crossing his features. "Elliot was spotted in the area yesterday-his yacht's tender came ashore just after dusk. He's definitely planning something."

Jade swallowed hard, a sense of urgency igniting within her. "Then it's time to make our move."

By mid-afternoon, Jade was on fire with determination, her mind racing as she plotted her next move. She crafted a bold email proposing a meeting: an in-person presentation of the study framework, presented as a strategic goodwill gesture ahead of the county's final hearing.

With a flourish, she attached crucial excerpts from the permit applications, showcasing the undeniable benefits for Drake Industries: glowing publicity, community support, and the chance to lead the way in sustainable resort innovation.

Hovering over the "Send" button, a flicker of doubt flashed through her mind. Elliot was a savvy strategist, and she knew he could sniff out weakness-and exploit it. But lingering too long would only hand him the reins.

With a burst of resolve, she slammed her finger down on the button, shooting the email off to his public affairs office and carbon-copying his personal assistant. Just moments later, her phone buzzed with urgency.

> Assistant: Mr. Drake is available to meet at 6 p.m. this evening in his private boardroom at the Coral Crescent Club.

Jade's heart raced. Coral Crescent-an exclusive, members-only palace just three miles up the coast, shimmering with marble and glass. Meeting there meant navigating a fortress of security and a world of opulence that clashed with her eco-conscious ideals.

But this was the thrill of the game: she had to prove she could navigate his territory and play his game.

With a decisive snap, she closed her laptop, stretching her arms and shaking off the anxiety swirling in her mind. "I'm meeting him tonight," she declared to Marco, who looked at her as if she had just challenged a titan.

"Tonight?" he echoed, disbelief etched across his face. "But the study isn't finished-"

"I know," Jade shot back, her voice steady. "I'm presenting the framework. If I can get his verbal commitment, that will pave the way for everything else. Waiting for data could mean losing control of the narrative entirely."

Marco sighed, placing a supportive hand on her shoulder. "Just be careful, Jade."

"I will," she responded, squaring her shoulders and pushing back any hint of fear. "This is our shot at something big.