Chapter 148
Chapter 148
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“Blackwell Group?” Izzy narrowed her eyes at the name displayed on Anna’s tablet. “They’re trying to acquire Weiss Inc.?”
Anna nodded, scrolling through the latest updates. “It’s a European firm. They’ve been increasing their stake over the last few weeks, buying shares quietly. No one knows who owns it. The company structure is layered under multiple holding firms, making it difficult to trace the real power behind it.”
Izzy exhaled sharply, leaning back against her chair. A mysterious firm making a move just as Weiss Inc. was at its weakest? That wasn’t a coincidence. Someone had been waiting for this moment.
“Is that all?” she asked.
Anna hesitated. “No. There’s another issue.”
Izzy already knew what was coming. “Macau?”
Anna handed her another report. “Because of the scandal and the FBI’s involvement, the project faces problems. Loan approvals are delayed, and investors are getting nervous about Weiss Inc’s ability to meet its financial obligations. Some suppliers are demanding additional guarantees before proceeding with shipments.”
Izzy pressed her fingers against her temple. Another problem.
“Weiss Inc. is hemorrhaging money, and its reputation is taking hit after hit,” Anna continued. “If this keeps up, some of the project’s subcontractors might start pulling out completely.”
Izzy inhaled slowly, keeping her frustration in check. All of this was because of Cecil.
She flipped through the report, skimming through the most critical points. Luckily, Horvath Industries had already issued a statement to calm investors and assure them that the project would continue. That had stabilized things for now, but it came
at a cost.
Horvath Industries was now stepping in to reduce reliance on Weiss Inc., meaning her influence on the project had lessened significantly.
She hated that.
But what choice did she have?
She was working under Weiss Inc., and their crisis had become her burden. If Horvath Industries hadn’t intervened, the situation could have been much worse.
“The project won’t collapse,” Izzy muttered, skimming through the latest financial projections. “But we’re going to see delays. and contract renegotiations.”
Anna sighed. “It’s unavoidable.”
Izzy tapped her fingers against the desk, deep in thought. Now that she thought about it… was this the result Liam wanted when he went after Cecil?
The timing was too precise. The exposure of Weiss Foundation’s scandal, the financial instability, and now an unknown entity targeting Weiss Inc.–everything had unraveled in a chain reaction.
Had Liam foreseen this?
Had he known that taking down Cecil would shake Weiss Inc. enough to reduce its influence on the Macau Project?
The more she thought about it, the more questions she had.
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And she wasn’t sure if she wanted to know the answers.
Her thoughts were interrupted by a call. This time, it was from CEO Weiss. He suddenly asked her to return to the U.S. for an important meeting.
“Do you think this has something to do with the Macau Project?” Anna asked after Izzy ended the call.
Izzy nodded.
The Macau Project was the largest project Weiss Inc. had undertaken in years. Perhaps the CEO just wanted updates and to make sure everything was going well.
Or so Izzy thought.
The moment she arrived back in the States, she quickly went to the office to talk to the CEO. Unfortunately, she was met with surprising news.
Renard Weiss sat behind his desk, shoulders heavy with exhaustion. Dark circles shadowed his eyes, and deep lines creased his forehead. His usually immaculate suit looked slightly disheveled, and the faint stubble on his face suggested he hadn’t had a proper night’s sleep in days.
The weight of the crisis had taken its toll.
Izzy stood before him, her hands pressed against the table. “So… let me get this straight. You called me here to inform me that you want Calen to take over the Macau Project?”
She shifted her gaze to Calen, who sat across from her with his arms crossed. He wasn’t gloating, but he wasn’t exactly uncomfortable either. He had probably expected her reaction.
Renard exhaled, rubbing his temples before leaning forward. “Isabella, I know this is unexpected, but we need to do this.”
Izzy didn’t move. “We?”
“The company is under fire from every angle,” Renard let out a slow breath. “The Weiss Foundation scandal was bad enough, but now we have the Blackwell Group aggressively buying up shares. They’re positioning themselves for a takeover.” He gestured toward the reports on his desk. “We need something to divert attention–to reassure shareholders that Weiss Inc. is stable.”
Izzy’s fingers curled against the table. “And putting Calen in charge is supposed to do that?”
Renard nodded. “This project is the biggest Weiss Inc. has undertaken in years. If we put Calen at the forefront and show the public that the next generation is stepping up, we can shift the narrative.”
Izzy’s jaw tightened.
“This isn’t just about perception,” Renard continued. “Investors are nervous. The scandal has made them doubt our ability to meet financial obligations. By assigning Calen to the Macau Project, we’re signaling continuity, stability, and leadership. If we show that Weiss Inc. is still in control of major projects, it will help slow down the panic.”
Izzy looked at Calen again. He was listening quietly, not interrupting.
Renard leaned back, eyes heavy. “The board is watching closely. They want reassurance that the company is moving forward. If we don’t act now, we risk losing control completely.”
Izzy clenched her jaw. She had worked so hard for this project, and yet they actually…
Renard exhaled. “Calen needs to prove himself. This is an opportunity for him to do that. Besides… Calen’s name has been in the news lately because of Pamella. I believe we can use this as a diversion.”
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Izzy didn’t reply immediately.
She understood the logic.
She just didn’t like it.
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Renard ran a hand down his face, the exhaustion catching up to him. “I know this puts you in a difficult position, and I know how much you’ve done for the project.” He met her gaze. “But this is what’s best for the company right now.”
Izzy looked at the stacks of reports on his desk–the financial losses, the investor concerns, the takeover threats.
This wasn’t just about Macau.
This was about survival.
She inhaled slowly before speaking. “Fine.”
Renard blinked. “Fine?”
Izzy straightened. “I understand why you’re doing this.” She glanced at Calen. “But if he’s going to take the lead, he better not mess this up.”
Calen smirked slightly. “I don’t plan to.”
“And I would like to be assigned to a different project,” Izzy suddenly said. “And the right to chose it.”
“What?” Renard frowned. “What do you mean?”
“Well, now that I am no longer in the Macau Project-”
“Who told you that we are removing you from the project?” Calen suddenly asked.
-Izzy turned to him, her gaze sharp as realization set in. “So–you’re going to lead the project and make me work under you?”
“Why are you making it sound as if this is such a bad thing?“Calen slightly raised his voice. “Did you forget that I am still the VP of this company? I have the right to lead this project! In fact, I am more suited to lead this project than you!”
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