Chapter 143
Chapter 143
Izzy stepped out of the car, immediately greeted by the sight of halted construction. The once–bany site was unnerving quiet. Heavy machinery stood still, stacks of materials were untouched, and workers lingered in small groups, speaking in
hushed tones.
Serena walked beside her, tapping on her tablet. “The inspectors are at the main structure,” she said, “It is already late but they’ve just already started reviewing the site conditions”
Izzy adjusted her blazer and headed toward the inspection team. Frederik, of course, followed, his steps unhurried as he surveyed the construction site like a spectator at an event.
As they approached, a man in a navy blue safety vest turned to greet them. He was middle–aged, with sharp features and an air of authority. His ID badge read Samuel Wong – Lead Inspector.
Samuel glanced between them before settling his gaze on Izzy. “Miss Rossi,” he said, offering a firm handshake.
Izzy shook his hand. “Mr. Wong, I assume you’re the one overseeing this inspection?”
Samuel nodded. “Correct. We received a formal request for a safety audit due to reported concerns”
Izzy folded her arms. “And what exactly are these concerns?”
Samuel pulled out a clipboard, flipping through his notes. “Structural stability, equipment maintenance, and labor safety compliance. Several complaints were filed, which triggered this review. He glanced at her. “Standard procedure when multiple concerns arise at once”
Izzy’s jaw tightened. “And who filed these complaints?”
Samuel hesitated before responding. “The labor union and two anonymous sources.”
Izzy exhaled slowly, keeping her expression neutral. Anonymous sources. Of course.
“Miss Rossi,” Samuel continued, “I understand that this is frustrating, but we need full cooperation. If we find any major violations, this project could face long–term delays.”
Izzy nodded. “I understand.”
Frederik let out a low whistle as he surveyed the stalled work. “Quite the situation you’ve got here, Izzy.”
She shot him a glance. “Why are you still here?”
Frederik smirked. “Well, I decided to see Mr. Lin. It has been so long since we’ve seen each other.”
Serena visibly tensed at the mention of the name. Izzy noticed but didn’t comment. Instead, she turned back to Samuel.
“How long will this inspection take?” she asked.
Samuel adjusted his helmet. “A few days at least. It depends on what we find.”
Izzy exhaled sharply, her fingers curling around the edge of her blazer. Delays were inevitable, but she needed to control the damage before it escalated further.
“Fine,” she said. “Then let’s make sure nothing is being fabricated.”
She wasn’t about to let someone else dictate the fate of her project.
“Miss, we can go to your hotel first while we wait for the inspection to finish,” Serena said. “Besides, it is already late.”
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Chapter 143
“Of course,” Izzy said. To her surprise, however, Frederik was once again following behind her.
“Aren’t you going to see Mr. Lin?” she asked.
“Well… Mr. Lin isn’t here… is he?” he retorted.
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Izzy narrowed her eyes. She didn’t know if this man was deliberately doing it or if this was just his character. Either way, she quite disliked him.
Izzy marched toward the car, not bothering to check if Frederik was following. She was already exhausted from the flight, the site inspection was a mess, and now she had to deal with him lingering around like an unwanted shadow.
The drive to the hotel was silent. Anna was busy on her phone, updating their team, while Serena kept glancing at her tablet. Izzy leaned against the headrest, trying to push aside her irritation. She had bigger problems to solve than dealing with Frederik Vasili’s antics.
When they finally arrived, Izzy stepped out, stretching slightly before reaching for her luggage.
Frederik was faster. He grabbed the handle of her suitcase and lifted it with ease.
“I don’t need your help,” Izzy said, taking the bag from him.
Frederik raised a brow. “You’re awfully snappy for someone I haven’t done anything to.”
Izzy didn’t reply. She simply tightened her grip on the suitcase and walked toward the entrance.
Frederik, of course, followed.
Izzy stopped abruptly, causing him to halt just a step behind her. She turned, eyes sharp. “Why are you following me?”
Frederik slipped his hands into his pockets. “I’m not following you. My hotel is here too.”
-Izzy’s expression darkened.
Slowly, she turned to Serena, who suddenly seemed very interested in her tablet.
“You knew about this,” Izzy stated.
Serena swallowed hard, avoiding eye contact.
Frederik smirked. “What a coincidence, huh?”
She chose to ignore him and instead just went into the check in counter with Anna.
The moment she arrived in her hotel room, she quickly put her things away and started texting Liam.
[At the hotel now. I wish you were here.]
Izzy exhaled sharply. She had a feeling this was going to be a very long trip.
LONDON
The conference room was silent.
The executives seated around the long, dark wood table kept their gazes lowered, eyes fixed on their reports, avoiding looking at the man at the head of the table. The tension in the room was suffocating. No one dared to shift in their seats, let alone speak unless directly addressed.
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Liam Horvath sat at the head of the table, fingers tapping against the surface in an unhurried rhythm. His piercing gaze moved from one executive to another, expression unreadable as he reviewed the latest acquisition report.
“This is what you bring me?” He flicked a stack of documents onto the table, the papers fanning out in a messy pile:Months of negotiations, and this is what you have to show for it?”
No one moved.
The executive in charge of the acquisition, a man in his mid–forties, swallowed hard before clearing his throat. “The shareholders of Covington Holdings are resisting the takeover more aggressively than anticipated. Their board has managed to rally independent investors against us.”
Liam leaned back in his chair, fingers steepled together. “I don’t care what they’ve managed to do. I care about the fact that we are still sitting here discussing it instead of finalizing the deal.”
One of the senior directors hesitated before speaking. “We underestimated their connections in the financial sector. The regulators are–”
Liam’s gaze snapped to him. The man immediately shut his mouth.
Liam exhaled sharply, adjusting the cuff of his sleeve. “I don’t deal with excuses. Covington Holdings was meant to be ours three weeks ago. Instead, you let a group of old men who barely know how to use their own email fight you off?”
The acquisition team tensed.
Liam turned his attention to another executive. “Reassess the leverage we have. Find out which board members have weaknesses. If their investors don’t want to sell, then we’ll make them want to sell. Increase the pressure.”
The man nodded hurriedly, already making notes.
The tension remained thick as the discussion continued, each executive carefully choosing their words to avoid triggering Liam’s already evident displeasure.
Then, in the middle of one of the financial reports, Liam’s phone vibrated against the table.
The sound was soft, but in the dead silence of the room, it was noticeable.
Liam barely glanced at it–until he saw the name on the screen.
His fingers stilled.
For a moment, the ruthless businessman was gone. His entire demeanor shifted in an instant, something in his expression softening before he read the message and smiled.
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