Chapter 166

“Sir, Mr. Horvath is already on his way. It seems he may be a few minutes late. Would you like tea or coffee?” Mondo said, bowing slightly to Renard Weiss.

“No, thank you. I’ll wait for Mr. Horvath.”

Renard Weiss sat stiffly in the boardroom, his fingers curled into fists on 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 thinned with each passing minute. He hadn't even been granted an appointment—he’d forced his way in upon hearing 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 pushed hard enough, Weiss Inc. would be gone.

Mondo, standing near the door, appeared entirely at ease. He’d been polite and professional, yet there was an air of quiet amusement about him, as if Liam’s delay were deliberate.

Renard’s fingers curled tighter against the chair’s armrest.

Mondo offered a polite smile before stepping away. “If you’ll excuse me, Mr. Weiss,” he said, bowing slightly before leaving the boardroom.

Renard barely glanced at him. Instead, he turned to his secretary, who shifted 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 snapped.

Calen was useless. A pathetic excuse for a vice president who’d already let the company fall into chaos. There was no point in listening to his desperate excuses.

Renard exhaled sharply and leaned back, his gaze fixed on the door.

Then, after what felt like forever, the door opened again.

Mondo stepped inside, his expression pleasant yet unreadable. “Mr. Weiss,” he said smoothly. “Mr. Horvath has just arrived. He’s expecting you in his office.”

Renard immediately stood, his posture rigid as he adjusted his cuff. Without a word, he strode past Mondo, his footsteps heavy.

Renard entered the office, his gaze immediately finding Liam Horvath, who sat comfortably behind his desk. Liam looked completely at ease, his posture relaxed as he leaned back slightly in his chair. A slow smile formed as he gestured to the seat opposite. “Mr. Weiss… I wasn’t expecting this visit.”

Renard’s jaw tightened as he walked forward. He didn’t sit.

Liam didn’t seem bothered. 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 pleasantries,” he said flatly. “Let’s get to the point.”

Liam’s smirk deepened, amusement flickering in his gaze. He set his cup down carefully, his movements unhurried, before folding his hands.

“All right,” he said, tilting his head slightly. “What do you want, Mr. Weiss?” He exhaled softly, as if pondering. “From what I understand, you came in without an appointment. That’s rather disrespectful.”

Renard inhaled slowly, forcing himself to remain composed. His fingers flexed once before he finally sat.

“I’ve been in this business for decades,” Renard said, his words measured. “I don’t waste time on pretense.” 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’d been expecting the question.

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. Bullshit. Every word from Liam 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 were obvious. “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 entering the office, Renard was speechless. He’d expected hostility. He thought Liam would dismiss Weiss Inc. without hesitation. He’d prepared counterarguments, planned on using Liam’s ruthlessness against him, even considered using his willingness to destroy Weiss Inc. to sway public opinion.

But this? This was something else entirely.

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 falling still. Why the hell would Liam offer them a way out?

Renard’s fingers drummed against the armrest once before he steepled them, 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—but that didn’t matter. Because whether Liam was genuine or not, he’d just given Renard an idea. An idea he couldn’t ignore.