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“What in the hell is wrong with you, Seth? You haven’t always been this callous In fact, you used to be a really nice guy” Jade let out a huff of frustration

Yeah, well, I didn’t use to be one of the richest men in the world, either When I’d been poor, it hadn’t mattered if I had a heart

Noas a businessrow, and I had to be ruthless It was necessary in my business

I’d recently discovered I was pretty da a dick when it came to business

I was a property developer, and Sinclair Properties was quickly beco a force to be reckoned with in co heart

I ignoredup that property, Jade,” I said tersely “It’s a priht on the beach There aren’t many of those spots available anymore”

The s rapidly With its proxio, it was bound to happen sooner or later The area was beco the place to be when one wanted to hit the beach

“So your stupid resort isoff an entire species?”

I shot her a disgusted look, soain, Jade was usually a lot ot this tenacious when it cao nest somewhere else next season”

“They came here because they probably lost their previous spot to some jerk who didn’t care that they were about to become extinct”

Okay, that hurt a little I was used toup to ure Me, and ures s had ever really had Jade had certainly never referred to me as a jerk She used to idolize me

Guess those days are gone

Of course, Jade was no longer a kid Hadn’t been for a long time There actually weren’t that hly educated, with a doctorate in wildlife conservation, and was now uy who also just happened to be my mentor and silent partner, Eli Stone

At least she hadn’t mentioned this to

“I’ to talk to Eli,” she threatened, iht

Soher husband as a weapon Just when I’d been thinking that she wasn’t going to throw Eli in my face, shedid

Truth was, I needed Eli’s advice Often That’s what happens when a guy goes fro a construction worker to a billionaire in a matter of minutes

Up until the current ether My brother-in-law had his own business to run in San Diego, but he always made time to help me out

I wasn’t seasoned enough yet to go it on round that my little sister walked on If Jade even hinted that she wanted soet it for her

My property doesn’t stand a chance if Eli gets involved

I shrugged “Do what you have to do I’ve already argued this with the tree hugger a million times”

“Riley is not a tree hugger,” Jade said defensively “She’s a highly respected attorney who chaered wildlife”