“Eight,” he said. “Five angry ratepayers who think we should dismiss the application without even considering it, and three who think it’s the best thing since sliced bread.”

“That’s rough.”

Hemi sighed again, and she could hear paper rustling in the background. “I’ll email the application through to your work address. The most I can say is that they’re complying with the council’s standards for the building design.”

“Thanks, Hemi. I really appreciate it.”

CHAPTER 2

Early the next morning, Eli sat behind his desk fiddling with a pen, brainstorming ways he could get the locals of Itirangi on-side for his development. Because, really, it should be obvious that the development would help them. But he was getting nowhere.

His personal assistant Joan stuck her head around the door. “Mr. Lockwood?”

He looked up, glad of the interruption. “What is it?”

“I think you should see this.” She disappeared, and a moment later, called out, “Check your emails.”

The email she’d forwarded to him had a link to a newspaper article entitled “Multi-million-dollar Development Threatens Local Businesses.” As he skimmed the article, his blood pressure skyrocketed. Someone in Itirangi wanted to sabotage him. That was the only explanation. He looked for the journalist’s by-line. Aria Simons. The headshot showed a pretty brunette. Of course the media wanted to twist his plans and make him bleed. That was what they did best. Ever since… He shook his head, dispelling the old memory. Victoria was past. The problem in Itirangi was present.

“Joan!”

“Yes, Mr. Lockwood?”

“Book me a flight to Christchurch, accommodation in Itirangi, and cancel my appointments for the rest of the week.”

“Cancel your appointments?” she asked, her face blanching. “All of them?”

“Reschedule the appointments that can’t be cancelled. Keep any phone appointments. Cancel the rest.”

“Are you sure?” she asked, now white as paper.

“Yes. I think this situation needs a personal touch. I trust you can manage to shuffle everything around.”

“Y-yes,” she stammered, darting from the room before he could issue any more orders.

Eli gazed out of the window. Lockwood Holdings Limited, a prime piece of real estate in the heart of the city, was a testament to how far he had come. But there was so much left for him to do. And it started with Itirangi.