Author’s POV
Lucian’s assistant stood at the office doorway, gripping her phone tightly, her face screaming that she was ntally preparing for whatever reaction her news would trigger.
After a deep breath, she knocked softly and stepped in cautiously.
"Mr. West, I’ve heard back from Dreamland Jewelry. Ms. Quinn said..." Her voice trembled slightly under Lucian’s piercing gaze.
Lucian sat in his massive black leather chair, fingers drumming rhythmically against the solid wood desk.
Sunlight slanted through the window, highlighting his cold profile. He glanced up at his assistant, several unsigned contracts spread before him.
"Said what exactly?" His voice was unnervingly calm.
"She said her energy levels and health conditions won’t allow her to participate in the overseas collaboration project." The assistant lowered her head, bracing for the storm of her boss’s anger.
The office air hung thick for several seconds.
Surprisingly, Lucian showed no irritation. Instead, his lips curved into an enigmatic smile. He swiveled his chair to face the panoramic city view, his back to his confused assistant.
"Mr. West, are you...?" she probed hesitantly, bewildered by his positive reaction to rejection.
"I’m fine. If she declined, so be it. This overseas collaboration isn’t exactly urgent." Lucian’s fingers tapped lightly on the armrest, seemingly calculating sothing. "So things simply can’t be rushed."
The assistant nodded, unable to decipher her boss’s true thoughts, but clearly this collaboration was just one piece in Lucian’s larger sche.
"By the way, what about that matter I asked you to handle?" Lucian suddenly changed topics, his eyes flashing with razor-sharp intensity.
The assistant snapped back to attention, opening her tablet to report everything she’d discovered about Blackwood Enterprises—recent project progress, supply chain partnerships, market movents, and Ryan Blackwood’s personal schedule. Nothing was missed.
"Blackwood recently acquired two tech companies, expanding their smart jewelry division. Also, their contract with Mills Group expires next week, and negotiations for renewal are quite tense right now."
Lucian listened carefully, his long fingers tapping the desk thoughtfully. "Arrange etings for with Blackwood’s suppliers, especially Mills Group and Thompson Manufacturing."
"Right away, Mr. West." The assistant quickly noted his instructions, though uneasiness crept through her mind.
That evening, Lucian t with representatives from both companies in a private club lounge. After several rounds of drinks, he began discussing his "special project," using generous profits and future partnerships as bait.
"We can offer order prices 20% higher than Blackwood," Lucian said, swirling his amber drink under the soft lights. "Provided, of course, that you’re willing to accommodate so... minor adjustnts."
The Mills Group representative frowned, setting down his glass hesitantly. "Mr. West, this sounds like contract violation. There would be penalties. Besides, business partnerships thrive on trust, and we’ve worked with Blackwood for years..."
"I’m not asking you to break trust," Lucian interrupted smoothly, his gaze sharp as ice. "But doesn’t your supply chain ever experience delays?"
He leaned forward, his voice dropping low: "If certain crucial components suddenly beco ’out of stock,’ requiring extra ti for import, wouldn’t delivery naturally need postponing?"
"During that ti, Blackwood’s projects can’t move forward on schedule, and it’s hardly your fault, is it?" Lucian’s mouth curved into a cold smile. "After all, these are market fluctuations—uncontrollable factors."
At this point, the two executives exchanged knowing glances. Blackwood might be dangerous to cross, but West’s offer was too tempting. Plus, they only needed to create so "accidental delays" to earn handso rewards. Why not?
"We’d like to hear more about your... suggestions," Thompson Manufacturing’s CEO finally spoke, greed glimring in his eyes.
After the eting, Lucian stood alone by the floor-to-ceiling windows, staring at the city lights with a cruel smile.
He raised his glass in a silent toast to the distant Ryan Blackwood: "Causing you so trouble occasionally makes for quite an entertaining ga."
Over the next few weeks, Lucian ticulously orchestrated a series of disruptive actions. Beyond the "accidental delays" in the supply chain, he frequently competed against Blackwood for the sa projects and resources.
Sotis he deliberately bid well above market price to drive up costs, only to withdraw at the last minute, forcing Blackwood to bear the inflated expenses.
More insidiously, he used interdiaries to spread false rumors about potential problems with certain Blackwood projects, creating investor doubts.
Each move was carefully planned—seemingly unrelated on the surface, yet part of a deliberate strategy.
In Ryan Blackwood’s office, tension hung thick in the air. He massaged his temples wearily, his desk buried under urgent reports from various departnts.
"Mills has delayed shipnt another week. That’s the third ti," he said, his voice filled with suppressed anger. "And now Thompson’s quality control has suddenly raised new issues, claiming our designs need modification or they can’t guarantee production quality."
Simon Graves, Ryan’s personal assistant, handed him the latest financial report. "Sir, due to supply chain issues, our new product line might miss the Christmas season. Also, the bank has suddenly requested additional guarantees for the East District project financing."
Ryan stood up and walked to the window. This string of "accidents" was too coincidental to be random.
"Soone’s ssing with us," he said grimly, his jaw tight. "Look into the companies that have been competing with us for projects lately, especially those that suddenly raised prices then pulled out."
Days later, an investigation report appeared on Ryan’s desk.
The clues vaguely pointed toward Lucian West—though the evidence was murky, the stack of "coincidences" was highly suspicious.
"Keep digging," Ryan commanded tersely, his gaze hardening. "Track all his recent activities, particularly any connections to Derek."
anwhile, soone finally obtained a private photo of Lucian—faintly showing a tattoo on his neck. Ryan examined the blurry image, his suspicions confird.
"You’re certain this is Lucian West?" he verified repeatedly, his eyes piercing.
"Absolutely. We paid good money to get this from a paparazzo who shot it at his private Manhattan pool."
Ryan’s expression darkened as he braced his hands on the desk. So the masked man in the parking garage really was Lucian West.
What deal existed between Derek and Lucian? Was their target Serena, Blackwood Enterprises, or both?
In the following days, Ryan beca engulfed in various crises, holding ergency etings almost daily, personally resolving one problem after another.
He had to temporarily shelve his investigation into Lucian to focus on the company’s urgent issues.
This hectic schedule drastically reduced his ti with Serena. Sotis he’d return ho after midnight when she was already asleep; when he left at dawn, she’d still be in bed. Their communication gradually dwindled to hastily scribbled notes and brief phone calls.
It was during this period that Lucian visited Dreamland Studio again, ostensibly to rediscuss overseas collaboration possibilities with Serena, but with hidden motives.
He entered the studio like an elegant yet dangerous leopard, slowly closing in on his prey.
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