Sham Marriage Quit Real Heiress Strikes Back novel Chapter 409

Chapter 409 Trouble Brewing

Her voice was soft and gende, carrying a persuasive charm.

William had been fuming earlier, but her words calmed his jitters.

“Elena Sterling sure knows how to scheme, he muttered.

The waiter brought their food, and they were about to eat when William’s phone rang again.

Finished

He picked it up irritably, but the caller spoke first. “Good day, Mr. William. This is Richard Hart. I’d like to discuss the partnership between my company and your company.”

Richard’s tone was overly eager.

Elena had barred him from the project. If he could win William over and get the foreign side to appoint him as the main contact, Elena would have no grounds to object.

“Discuss what exactly, Mr. Hart?” William replied, cool and composed.

Fiona had been right. Hardly after he learned the news, someone from Elena’s company came calling. He was convinced Elena’s move to contact Innovatech was nothing but a bluff to rattle him.

“If you appoint me to oversee this project,” Richard proposed, “I’m willing to double the original procurement price. What do you say?”

William let out a cold scoff. “Mr. Hart, your company changes plans by the hour. Word just reached us that you’re seeking other partners, and now you come begging to renegotiate prices. Let me repeat myself: we will conduct a one–month review. We will not sign any deal unless you pass it. Besides, you are no longer the CEO. What authority do you have to make such decisions?”

He ended the call.

Richard stared at his phone, utterly deflated.

He’d failed to secure the partnership and been publicly mocked. It is all Elena’s fault! Shestole my position, and now she couldn’t even close a simple business deal.

The monthly shareholder meeting was underway.

When Elena entered the conference room, all shareholders had arrived except Richard. She took her seat

at the head of the table.

Lucas was just about to open the meeting when the door swung open, and Richard walked in.

“What are you doing here?” Elena asked.

Every gaze in the room turned to him. No one spoke a word.

Richard’s frustration flared. Clearly, the people he’d once brought into the company had all sided with

Chapter 409 Trouble Brewing

Elena. Given more time, she would take full control of the company.

Finished

“I am a shareholder of this company. Why shouldn’t I be here?” Richard sneered. “Ms. Sterling, I heard the partnership with LA Group, which you promised last month, still hasn’t been finalized. Our staff poured countless hours into this project, and we even signed a slew of pre–orders. Now if you fail to source the chips, we won’t be able to deliver. Our company will collapse under your leadership.

“You’re young and impulsive, and I can overlook that. But for the sake of the company and all of us, I believe you should step down. Before things spiral out of control and drag everyone down.”

He raised his voice deliberately, stoking panic among the shareholders,

His words hit home. They’d trusted Elena’s guarantee to seal the deal, yet there was still no signed contract. She had led them on empty promises.

“Ms. Sterling, is this true? Did the LA Group partnership fall through? You told us things would go smoothly!”

“Why hide the truth from us? We’ve signed so many client orders relying on those chips. We can’t afford delays!”

“I knew putting a woman in charge was a mistake.”

Complaints erupted from all directions.

Richard looked at Elena, a triumphant glint in his eyes. She is capable, but far too young to outmaneuver me. Even with a large shareholding, she could do nothing without the shareholders‘ support.

The uproar lasted nearly ten minutes before everyone noticed Elena remained silent. The chatter gradually died down.

“Ms. Sterling, speak to us. Is everything Richard said the truth?” one shareholder pressed.

Elena did not deny it. “It is true. We have not signed the contract with LA Group, and I have decided to abandon that partnership entirely.”

Her statement was like a boulder crashing into a calm lake.

If the deal fell through, all their existing orders would become worthless. Failure to deliver would bring crippling compensation claims, and the company would face ruin.

“See? I told you!” Richard shouted triumphantly. “She couldn’t close the deal and kept it a secret. She’s going to drive us all to bankruptcy!”

He grew more aggressive, desperate to force Elena out of her position. Once the shareholders agreed, he, would retake control and drive her out for good.

“Elena Sterling, what have you to say for yourself? You are the CEO, but we all built this company together, If you cannot give us a proper explanation, you will have to step down from this chair.”

Sham Mariage Quit, Real Heiress Strikes Back