Chapter 166
Chapter 166
<46%
“Sir, Mr. Horvath is already on his way. It seems that it might take a few more minutes before he arrives. Would you like some tea or coffee, perhaps?” Mondo said as he gave Renard Weiss a shallow bow.
“No, thanks. I will just wait for Mr. Horvath.”
Renard Weiss sat stiffly in the boardroom, his fingers curled into fists against the polished table. His jaw tightened as he glanced at the clock. It had been over an hour. An hour.
And yet, there was still no sign of Liam Horvath.
His patience wore thinner with each passing minute. He hadn’t even been granted an appointment–he had forced his way in the moment he heard the rumors. The Macau officials were seriously considering removing Weiss Inc. from the project.
And at the center of it all?
Liam.
Renard had seen the reports. The investigation had weakened their position, and if Horvath Industries made a strong enough push, Weiss Inc. would be gone.
Mondo, standing near the door, looked entirely at ease. The man had been polite and professional–but there was an air of quiet amusement about him as if Liam’s delay was deliberate.
Renard’s fingers curled tighter against the armrest of his chair.
Mondo offered him a polite smile before stepping away. “If you’ll excuse me, Mr. Weiss,” he said, bowing slightly before exiting the boardroom.
Renard barely spared him a glance. Instead, he turned to his own secretary, who had been shifting uneasily by the door. The man cleared his throat. “Sir, Vice President Weiss has been calling since this morning-”
Renard gritted his teeth. “Ignore him.”
The secretary hesitated. “But, sir-”
“I said don’t answer him,” Renard cut in sharply.
Calen was useless. A pathetic excuse for a vice president who had already let the company fall into chaos. There was no point in listening to whatever desperate excuses he had now.
Renard exhaled sharply and leaned back in his chair, his gaze locked on the door.
And then, after what felt like forever, the door opened again.
Mondo stepped inside, a pleasant but unreadable expression on his face. “Mr. Weiss,” he said smoothly. “Mr. Horvath has just arrived. He’s expecting you in his office.”
Renard stood immediately, his posture rigid as he adjusted the cuff of his sleeve. Without a word, he strode past Mondo, his footsteps heavy against the floor.
Renard stepped into the office, his gaze immediately locking onto Liam Horvath, who sat comfortably behind his desk.
Liam looked completely at ease, his posture relaxed as he leaned slightly back in his chair. A slow smile formed as he gestured toward the seat across from him. “Mr. Weiss… I wasn’t expecting this visit.”.
1/3
14:13 Thu, 13 Mar
M
Chapter 166
46%
Renard’s jaw tightened as he walked forward. He didn’t sit.
Liam didn’t seem bothered by that. Instead, he picked up a porcelain cup from his desk and took a casual sip before glancing back at Renard. “Would you like some coffee? Tea?”
Renard’s fingers curled at his sides. “There’s no need for propriety,” he said flatly. “Let’s get directly to the point.”
Liam’s smirk deepened, something almost amused flickering in his gaze. He set his cup down carefully, his movements unhurried, before folding his hands in front of him.
“All right,” he said, tilting his head slightly. “What do you want, Mr. Weiss?” He exhaled softly as if pondering something. “From what I understand, you came in without an appointment. If you ask me, that’s a bit disrespectful.”
Renard inhaled slowly, forcing himself to stay composed. His fingers flexed once before he finally took a seat.
“I have been in this business for decades,” Renard said, his words measured. “I don’t waste time with fakeries.” His eyes narrowed slightly. “So I’ll be direct.”
Liam leaned back slightly, waiting.
“Why are you pushing for the Macau officials to remove Weiss Inc. from the project?”
Renard’s gaze remained sharp, watching for any shift in Liam’s expression.
But Liam just smiled, as if he had been expecting the question all along.
Liam rested his elbows on the desk, his fingers interlocked as he regarded Renard with an unreadable expression. “You don’t know the reason?”
Renard’s shoulders tensed. “I know,” he said stiffly. “It’s because of the scandal. But this has nothing to do with Weiss Inc.”
Liam exhaled through his nose, tilting his head slightly. “Only the law can decide that,” he said. “Right now, our focus is on the welfare of the many. And at this moment, Weiss Inc. isn’t in a position to provide that welfare.”
Renard gritted his teeth, his fingers pressing against the armrest of his chair. Bullshit. Every word coming out of Liam’s mouth was utter bullshit–but the worst part? There was nothing he could do about it.
Silence settled between them for a moment.
Then Liam leaned back slightly. “Unless, of course,” he said casually, “you can produce more funds.”
Renard’s eyes narrowed.
Liam shrugged as if it was the most obvious thing in the world. “That’s only natural, right?”
Renard frowned. “Why would we need to fund more?”
Liam tapped his fingers lightly against the desk. “Because we need to prove to the investors–and Macau itself—that Weiss Inc. is capable of building this project.” He gestured slightly with his hand. “Naturally, money is involved.”
For the first time since stepping into the office, Renard was at a loss for words.
He had come here expecting hostility. He thought Liam was going to kick Weiss Inc. to the curb without hesitation. He had prepared counterarguments, planned on using Liam’s ruthlessness against him, even considered leveraging his willingness to destroy Weiss Inc. as a way to sway public perception.
But this?
This was something else entirely.
2/3
46%
14:13 Thu, 13 Mar
Chapter 166
M
Putting more money into the project could restore investor confidence. It could even salvage Weiss Inc’s reputation.
Renard’s fingers tapped once against the armrest before going still.
Why the hell would Liam offer them a way out?
Renard’s fingers drummed against the armrest once before he steepled them together, watching Liam carefully. “And what do you want in return?”
Liam laughed, leaning back in his chair. “Nothing,” he said smoothly. “I just want to cooperate and finish the project as soon as possible.”
Renard’s eyes narrowed. Lies.
There was no way Liam Horvath was this generous. No way he would willingly offer Weiss Inc. a lifeline without expecting something in return.
Yet, the bastard looked completely at ease. His posture was relaxed, his smirk unshaken. Too confident.
Renard exhaled through his nose, his fingers tightening slightly. He didn’t believe a single word coming out of Liam’s mouth -but that didn’t matter. Because whether Liam was genuine or not, he had just given Renard an idea.
An idea he couldn’t ignore.
3/3
