Chapter 199

Ian adjusted his chair and glanced around the table. “Now that introductions are done, let’s proceed to the meeting’s real agenda. We’ll begin with the most recent quarterly reports.”

His assistant, a young man in a sharp suit and neat hair, moved from chair to chair, placing a folder before each board member. He hesitated briefly before setting a file in front of Izzy, who opened it.

Izzy scanned the pages: profit margins, operational expenses, overseas revenue. She hadn’t seen these figures before. As far as she knew, the quarterly meeting was scheduled for next month. These numbers shouldn't be here yet.

She glanced at Anna, who stood nearby with a tablet, and Anna shook her head slightly. She didn’t know either.

Ian leaned forward. “This isn’t the official quarterly meeting; that’s still next month. But since you’re here, Ms. Rossi, we thought it useful to show you the company’s recent work. Consider this a preview.”

Gregory Vasili flipped open his folder, scanning the pages. “It’s not much of a preview if we’re going through the entire report.”

“Not the entire report,” Ian said, “just the highlights.”

Linda Keating adjusted her glasses. “I assume these numbers were reviewed by internal audit?”

Ian nodded. “Yes. We had them validated last week.”

Izzy continued reading. Some projections seemed overly optimistic. The Munich facility’s manufacturing costs were listed lower than expected, and the Southeast Asia logistics report omitted delays she’d heard about in a private memo two weeks prior.

“Why isn’t the supply chain issue in here?” Izzy asked, looking up at Ian.

Ian didn’t answer immediately, instead looking at Frank Dorsey, who was already leaning back.

“You mean the Port of Manila delays?” Frank said. “We didn’t think they were material enough for this version.”

“They stalled shipments for two and a half weeks,” Izzy said. “That’s not material?”

Frank shrugged. “That’s subjective.”

“Not when you’re covering the penalties,” she replied.

Marla DuPont turned a page. “We also omitted the litigation updates. I thought that was intentional?”

Ian cleared his throat. “This is a courtesy briefing. Not everything is finalized.”

“Then don’t call it a report,” Izzy said, closing her folder. “Call it what it is: a controlled summary.”

Gregory looked at her, then at Ian. “She has a point.”

Ian remained neutral. “Noted.”

Izzy pushed the folder away. “Let me know when the real data’s ready. I’m not here to read PR.”

Silence followed. Then Ian nodded to his assistant, who left the room.

“Fine,” Ian said. “We’ll get the full set of numbers to your office this week.”

Izzy gave a short nod. Gregory continued watching her, fingers lightly drumming on his folder. Across the table, Linda had already returned to her tablet.

The meeting continued, but the tone had shifted. No one questioned who held the most power anymore.

“The woman in your reports was a meek, stupid woman working tirelessly for another company because of a man,” Gregory said, hands clasped behind his back as he stared out at the skyline. He turned slowly, his expression sharp. “But that’s not the woman I saw today. Isabella Rossi wasn’t afraid to show her potential. She sat in that room and tore through our projections like she’d been doing this for decades.”

Frederik stood still, his eyes dropping slightly. “I didn’t expect—”

“No,” Gregory cut him off. “You didn’t. And now, unless you plan to actually do something, she’s going to take over the entire company. Not through force. Not through scandal. But because she’s smarter, faster, and more prepared.”

Frederik’s mouth opened slightly, but he said nothing. The sting in his chest wasn’t from his grandfather’s words—it was the truth behind them. He’d underestimated her.

He’d been so sure she’d be overwhelmed: first time meeting the board, no formal corporate background. His file showed she’d spent the last two years working long hours for someone else’s dream under Weiss Inc., supposedly burnt out, distracted, reeling from her public fallout with Calen Weiss, and with a less-than-perfect relationship with Liam Horvath.

All of that should have worked in his favor. Yet, she’d maintained composure, embarrassed Frank, corrected the reports, and exposed flaws no one else had noticed. Even Gregory hadn’t known about the Manila delay; Frederik only learned of it from the secretary an hour ago, who described Izzy’s sharp tone and how she shut down weak explanations without raising her voice.

He didn’t show it, but Frederik was irritated. She wasn’t supposed to win this round. Not today.

He nodded. “I understand.”

Gregory stepped closer. “Do you?” he asked. “Because right now, I see a woman with fifty-two percent of the voting power and a boy with excuses.”

Frederik didn’t flinch. “I’ll handle it.”

“You said that last time.”

Frederik looked up. “I’ll get her shares.”

Gregory stared at him, then turned away. “Leave.”

Frederik hesitated, nodded, and left the office without a word. He closed the door and walked down the quiet corridor.

He wasn’t angry at his grandfather; he was angry at himself for misreading her, for assuming her experience—or lack thereof—mattered. He’d let reports and rumors shape his expectations. Now, she sat in a boardroom that once feared Gregory… and was making it her own.

He walked faster. If he wanted to win, he’d have to change tactics, fast. And next time, he wouldn’t underestimate her.

Reaching his car, he quickly grabbed his phone. “I need you to do something for me,” he said the moment someone answered.