Temptation by Donna Hill

Author:Donna Hill
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Harlequin
Published: 1994-09-15T00:00:00+00:00

“I had a wonderful day,” Noelle said to Trent as they lay stretched out on the blanket, looking up at the setting sun. “Thank you.”

“I think,” he replied, “it was something long overdue for you. I would guess that you’ve spent the past year doing nothing else but trying to get Liaisons off the ground.”

“That’s true. I haven’t had much of a social life in so long, I’d almost forgotten how pleasant it could be.”

“The other day,” he started tentatively, “you asked me what were my plans for the future. But what about you?”

She sighed. “I haven’t given it much thought, actually.”

“Have you ever considered taking over Jordan’s business?”

“Jordan and I had very different views when it came to Maxwell Enterprises.”

“Such as?”

She tried to think of a response that wouldn’t sound too condescending.

“To put it simply, in business and in some aspects of his personal life, Jordan was a man strictly after personal gain. He had no concerns where it…came to the greater good.”

Trent looked confused. “His business employed hundreds of people. That had to mean something.”

Noelle pursed her lips, then took a sip of water before she spoke. “This may sound callous,” she offered, “but in my opinion, Jordan took whatever he wanted at whatever the cost and generally gave nothing back. At least not on a humanitarian level,” she qualified. “Jordan was propelled by money and power and what that could afford him. If someone else happened to benefit as a result, it was purely accidental.”

Trent thought about it for a moment and had to admit that it was true.

“Did you ever discuss it with him?”

“Of course I did. But he wouldn’t hear of doing anything differently. He said his business flourished with a strong hand and he didn’t get into business for humanitarian reasons.

“Even though I resented his tactics and some of his ethics, I could never deny that he was incomparable when it came to business. You couldn’t help but admire his ability to turn nothing into something. The barren lands of Sudan are a perfect example.” And so am I, she thought. “No one imagined that it could be possible to establish a thriving enterprise in that region of the world,” she continued. “Jordan had a vision and he made it a reality, whatever were his methods.”

Trent leaned closer. “What would you do if given the chance?” he asked.

Noelle’s eyes brightened. “If given the chance I would change the total direction of the company. Or at least expand its objectives.” Her voice blossomed with excitement. “I would develop housing, schools, and hospitals in the areas where Maxwell Enterprises has its largest holdings. I would enlist the services of the community in building these facilities so that they would have a sense of ownership.

“Not only would they have jobs, but places to live and hospitals to attend to their health needs. Instead of constantly bringing in outside sources, use the internal resources,” she concluded.

Trent was astounded by her insight and the validity of her vision.

“It’s hard to believe that Jordan wouldn’t have jumped at something like that.

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