Page 59 of Shattered Crown
Her eyes met mine, and behind the pleasant smile, I saw the truth. She knew she was winning. She knew I was floundering. And she was enjoying every second of it.
"Goodnight, Sebastian."
She walked away, her heels clicking against the stone floor, her hips swaying with each step.
I sat alone at the table, surrounded by empty chairs and guttering candles, and made a decision.
I found Mr. Kahale in the lobby, saying goodnight to a staff member. Leilani had already disappeared, and the old man was alone, leaning slightly on a carved wooden cane I hadn't noticed before.
He looked up at my approach, surprise flickering across his weathered features.
"Mr. Dubois. I thought you'd retired for the evening."
"I wanted to speak with you. Privately."
He studied me for a long moment, those dark eyes sharp despite his age. Then he nodded slowly.
"Walk with me."
We moved out onto the terrace overlooking the ocean. Mr. Kahale stopped at the railing, gazing out at the darkness.
"You have something to say," he said. "So say it."
"I want to make you an offer."
"I told you, I'm not interested in…"
"Whatever my father offered you twenty years ago," I cut in, "I'll double it."
Silence.
Mr. Kahale turned to look at me, his expression unreadable.
"This isn't about money, Mr. Dubois."
"Everything is about money."
"Is it?" He tilted his head, studying me like I was a specimen under glass. "Is that truly what you believe?"
“It doesn’t matter what I believe," I continued. "I can modernize without destroying. I can bring resources that will keep this hotel running for another four generations while honoring what you've built."
"And if I still refuse?"
The words came out before I could stop them.
"Then I'll go directly to your brother."
Mr. Kahale went very still.
"I'll offer him a sum of money he can't refuse," I said, the plan crystallizing as I spoke. "I'll buy the restaurant out from under you. And then I'll turn it into exactly what you're afraid of—clubs, loud music, none of the tradition. A modern disaster that will drive away the guests who come here for peace and culture and authenticity."
The old man's face had gone pale in the moonlight.
"Kai would never sell."
"Everyone has a price." I straightened my shoulders. "I’m sure your brother would be more than willing to take my offer. He must be bitter about the hotel going to you, no? And all he got was a measly restaurant.” Mr. Kahala remained eerily silent. “I’ll offer him enough money to open his own place somewhere else, free from your shadow, and see how quickly his principles crumble."
Mr Kahala just watched me. He still didn’t speak.
