Chapter 192

Olivier Horvath’s Office

“Sir, here are the documents requiring your signature,” Olivier’s secretary said, handing him a folder.

Olivier flipped the folder open and scanned the first few pages. “Update on the permits in Nevada and Arizona?”

His secretary shifted the tablet in her hands. “Nevada’s local board approved the preliminary clearance. They’ll present the environmental impact study at the next session, probably next month. Arizona’s still pending; there’s been pushback from some conservation groups.”

He didn’t look up. “Names?”

“Two local politicians and one senator’s aide flagged it. They’re requesting documentation on land use and local employment commitments.”

Olivier nodded, flipping to the next section. “Tell Legal to draft a response. Offer to partner with the local development office. Same strategy we used in Utah.”

Ava made a quick note. “Understood.”

“What about our investors? Any movement?”

“The East Coast group wired their second tranche last Friday. They’re satisfied with the Montana output. But the overseas syndicate, the one from Berlin, wants another meeting. They’ve requested clarification on ownership splits, especially concerning the Wyoming site.”

Olivier looked up. “Didn’t we send them a revised term sheet?”

“We did. But they said it wasn’t clear who holds the mineral rights. Something about overlapping claims.”

He closed the folder. “Have the team retrieve the original filings. I want to see who signed off on those deeds. If there’s a problem, I want to know who created it.”

“Yes, sir.”

He leaned back. “Anything else?”

“There’s a journalist trying to access the Colorado site. He’s contacted three county offices for zoning information.”

“Name?”

Ava checked her screen. “Mark Callen. Freelance. Based in New York.”

Olivier considered this. “Find out who he’s working with. And flag any new inquiries from that source.”

Olivier stood and walked to the window. “And the shipments from Colorado?”

“They cleared last night,” she said. “We have confirmation from the transport group. The next batch will be ready by Monday, but we’re short-staffed at the loading site.”

He turned slightly. “Send more from the South Dakota team. Increase their per diem. No delays.”

“I’ll handle it.”

He faced her fully. “What about the permits in West Virginia?”

Ava flipped to another screen. “Still in review. But we have two lobbyists working on the committee. They expect movement next week. They’re pushing the economic development angle.”

“Remind them we’re offering long-term contracts and local hires. And if they want ground broken this year, we need approval by Friday.”

“I’ll make the call.”

Olivier nodded. “Anything else?”

“One more,” Ava said. “A firm from Houston submitted an inquiry this morning. They’re interested in partnering—equipment, logistics, and possibly investing in two of the new sites.”

Olivier raised an eyebrow. “Who’s backing them?”

“They didn’t disclose, but the contact is James Morrow. He used to run procurement for Centron Energy.”

“Set a meeting. I want to see what they’re offering.”

“Yes, sir.” Ava stepped back. “I’ll send you the full summary in thirty minutes.”

Olivier didn’t respond immediately. He glanced out the window again, then returned to his desk. He flipped the folder shut and set it aside.

“Let’s move.”

Olivier leaned back in his chair, satisfied. The reports showed all the good things happening in his company. This deserved a good celebration tonight. Just as he expected, his father’s funding had helped a lot.

Just as Olivier unlocked his phone to type a message, he heard Ava’s voice outside the office.

“I’m sorry, but you’ll need to schedule an appointment—”

The door swung open before she could finish. Izzy strode in, her expression sharp.

Seeing this, Olivier didn’t flinch. He leaned back in his chair, phone still in hand. “I don’t recall scheduling an appointment with my daughter-in-law.”

Ava stepped in behind Izzy, looking uncertain.

“It’s fine, Ava. I’ll handle this.”

Ava hesitated, then gave Izzy a quick glance before stepping back out and closing the door.

Olivier set his phone on the desk and clasped his hands together. “To what do I owe the pleasure, Isabella?” He didn’t bother standing.

Izzy didn’t sit. She remained by the door, shoulders squared.

“I’m not in the mood for small talk,” she said.

Olivier tilted his head slightly, then gestured toward the chair. “You came all this way. Might as well sit.”

She stayed standing.

He shrugged. “Suit yourself. Let’s hear it.”

“What did you say to Liam?” she asked.

Olivier didn’t answer immediately. He leaned back, one arm resting on the chair’s armrest, the other on the desk.

“What did you say to Liam?” Izzy asked again, her voice sharper.

Olivier scoffed. “Is that why you’re here? Because my son ran to you like a wounded child? I thought you married a man, not someone who needs his wife to fight his battles.”

Izzy stepped forward and slammed her palm on the table.

“What did you tell him?” she repeated.

Olivier didn’t flinch. He smirked. “Why don’t you ask your beloved boy what we talked about?”

Izzy’s jaw tightened. “Don’t touch him. If you have a problem with me, then you talk to me! Why are you hurting your own son?”

Olivier’s smile vanished. He stood slowly, placing both palms on the desk and leaning forward.

“You don’t get to come into my office and make demands,” he said. “Especially not to me. That’s my son. I’ll do whatever I want with him.”

Disbelief flashed in Izzy’s eyes, but it was quickly replaced by something colder. Anger settled in.

Olivier watched her with a lazy smirk. “What?” he said. “What will you do? No—” he stepped around the desk, “what can you do?”

Izzy didn’t move. She kept her chin high, eyes locked on him.

“I’m not scared of you,” she said.

Olivier let out a humorless laugh. “You should be. You walk in here, throw your little tantrum, and act like you have any power. You married into this family because my son was weak enough to take you. Don’t confuse that with relevance.”

Izzy’s glare didn’t waver. “You think Liam is weak because he didn’t turn out like you? Because he still has a soul left in him?”

“Don’t talk to me about my son,” Olivier snapped, pointing at her. “He’s soft. Always has been. Needed his mother for everything. Now he’s clinging to you. Just another woman to do the thinking for him.”

How could someone like this be Liam’s father!? She stepped forward, close enough to see the lines around his mouth. “You know what I think? I think you’re threatened by him. Because deep down, you know he’s better than you’ll ever be. You built your empire by stepping on people. Liam doesn’t need to do that to prove himself.”

“Huh!? Is that what he told you? That he built his empire by being kind?” Olivier chuckled. Then he started laughing.