Chapter 128 - Unsettling Feeling.

Blaze sat at the head of an expansive mahogany conference table in the company's executive boardroom, deep in the heart of the bustling financial district. As chairman of the company, he was commanding in his perfectly tailored charcoal-gray suit, a gold tie clip subtly glinting under the recessed lighting.

A very modern state-of-the meeting room-a giant digital screen in front reflected the financial analysis report for the current month with graphs in bars and pies, lined and trendly drawn. At hand were several company key executives together with the senior key department head-all equipped with a laptop as well as writing notepads.

Blaze shifted forward, leaning forward slightly as Ms. Eleanor Briggs, the CFO, presented the preliminary findings. Her voice was clear, her tone professional.

"For this month," Eleanor started, indicating a figure on a chart on the computer screen, "we received 12% gross revenue more than last month. This is primarily due to the company launching its new products, in which it was over by 8%. However, the operating cost also increased by 7%. The primary reasons for this rise were higher logistir xpenses and better quality raw materials."

Blaze nodded, his piercing eyes scanning the figures. "The revenue growth is great, but this surge in cost of operations has to be taken care of urgently. Eleanor, do we have the logistics costs broken down? Particularly, whether this is just a one-off spike or the start of something bigger."

Eleanor advanced to another slide of her presentation. "The spate is largely caused by quick shipment and unexpected supplier delays. We are negotiating new deals with our most important logistics partners to contain this going forward."

Blaze tapped his pen on the table thoughtfully. "Good. I want a full report on the negotiation by the end of the week. This is an area where we need tighter controls."

The COO, Mr. Langston, interrupted: "If I might add to this, Mr. Baldwin, we may also want to have different suppliers so we're not solely reliant on a particular partner. This may initially require some up-front investment, but it might just pay off later on."

Blaze turned to Langston, nodding. "Excellent point. Prepare a feasibility study on this and include projections for the next quarter. I want a thorough analysis before we make any moves."

As the discussion progressed, the room was filled with energy. The ability of Blaze to break down complex data into clear, actionable directives kept the meeting moving fluidly. His calm yet firm leadership style created a setting where everyone on the team felt empowered to contribute.

Halfway through the meeting, the marketing head, Mrs. Fairchild, presented a report on the company's advertisement campaigns. "Our digital outreach has been very effective this month," she said. "Engagement metrics are up by 25%, and our targeted ads are converting at a higher rate than last quarter."

Blaze listened closely, sometimes inserting with pointed queries. "What's the return on investment on the new campaigns? Is there any significant geographic trend in terms of engagement?"

Fairchild moved to another slide. "The ROI on digital campaigns has currently outperformed traditional methods by 15 percent. Geographic trends show the strongest engagement is taking place in emerging markets, particularly in Southeast Asia and South America."

Blaze's eyes narrowed a little as he digested the data. "Emerging markets are promising, but they are also volatile. Let's put some resources together to go deeper into consumer behavior in those regions. I want to make sure we're adapting to local preferences."

The meeting continued for over an hour, discussing operational challenges and growth opportunities. Blaze maintained his focus, his mind methodically processing every detail. The intensity of the discussions never left him off-kilter, as he was always composed and guiding the team with precision.

As the session came to an end, Blaze glanced at the clock. It was nearing 1:30 PM. He thought of Savannah for a fleeting moment. She had said she was going out for lunch with Bella, and he hoped she was having a good time. Even though he was busy with his schedule, she was never far from his mind.

Just then, his phone vibrated quietly on the table. Blaze discreetly glanced at the screen. It was a missed call from Savannah. His brow furrowed slightly. Why would she call? Is everything alright?

He resisted the urge to excuse himself immediately. And he got up from his seat.

"Fine," Blaze said, his voice strong as he regained control of the room. "We have discussed everything that needed to be said for this month's analysis. Eleanor, I want a new plan of cost optimization by Friday. Langston, let's make sure we have that proposal on supply chain strategy ready for the next executive meeting. Fairchild, keep me updated on our campaigns' performance.

The executives nodded and scribbled down notes.

As the team began to file out, Blaze grabbed his phone and slipped into his private office next to the boardroom. Closing the door behind him, he dialed Savannah's number, a faint unease creeping into his chest as he waited for her to pick up.

Blaze entered his private office. The room was silent except for the quiet hum of the air conditioning.

He loosened his tie and reached for his phone, dialing Savannah's number. He leaned against the edge of his desk, his sharp eyes scanning the city skyline through the windows as the call connected.

A minute passed, and the mechanical voice addressed him: "The number you are trying to reach is currently switched off. Please try again later."

Blaze made a face, ending the call. Her phone is off? That's so unusual, he thought. He tried again with the same outcome: the recording. His scowl deepened as he stares at the screen, deciding to leave a message.

Just after the third attempt, Blaze's secretary, Arthur, came in with a pile of papers. Arthur was a man of around thirty five, efficient and perceptive, able to read the subtlest signs. He caught the flicker of concern in Blaze's face at once.

"Is everything all right, Boss?" Arthur asked, setting the documents on the desk.

Blaze let out a sigh and put his phone down. "I've been trying to reach Savannah, but her phone's off. She doesn't usually turn it off unless something's wrong."

Arthur straightened, adjusting his glasses thoughtfully. "Perhaps she's in the operating room? You've mentioned before that she sometimes assists with surgeries at the clinic."

Blaze's furrowed brows eased a little at the suggestion. Savannah had indeed turned off her phone in the past when she was in the middle of something important, like assisting in an emergency surgery or performing other duties at the clinic.

Ah yes, that is possible, Blaze thought. "She's been known to do that periodically. I hadn't figured it was scheduled or anything today for her, at least."

Arthur nodded reassuringly. "Don't worry worry too much, Boss. She probably had got caught up in something she forgot to remember to mention it."

Blaze breathed in deeply then set his cell phone down back on the desk. "Probably you're right."

Arthur, sensing that the boss still wasn't in good spirits, added a slight caveat, "If you would like, I can have the office discreetly reach out to the hospital just to confirm that she's there."

"No, that's fine," Blaze quickly interjected, "I'll go give her some space. I'll check back later."

Arthur smiled a little. "Understood, sir. Now, about the documents." He nodded toward the pile he'd brought in. "These are the final drafts of the shareholder announcements for the coming quarter. I've marked key points for you to review."

Blaze shoved his concerns over Savannah to the back of his mind and zeroed in on the task. "Let's go through them."

Arthur walked him through the papers, and in no time at all, Blaze was deep within the intricacies of shareholder updates, growth projections, and logistical details for the upcoming board meeting. Still, a small portion of his brain was distracted; he kept playing Savannah's missed call over again and again with the fact that her phone had been off.

Somewhere

When Savannah stirred, her senses were slow to return. The faint scent of cigarette smoke mingled with a musty, unfamiliar smell floated into her nostrils. Her head throbbed and felt heavy as if weighed down by invisible chains. She blinked, and her vision swam before her. Slowly, the blurry outlines of a dimly lit room came into focus.

The room was claustrophobic, with concrete walls and a solitary flickering bulb overhead. Savannah felt her wrists bound behind her back as she sat in a cold, metal chair, doing her best to remember how she had ended up here. Panic surged through her veins as she struggled against the bindings, her mind racing to piece together what had happened.

Footsteps echoed in, getting louder and louder until the man who had appeared earlier was in the doorway. He leaned casually against the frame, his expression one of smug satisfaction.

"Ahh, you're awake," he said with a voice dripping in mock concern. "Good. I was starting to think I'd have to reschedule our little chat."

"What do you want?" Savannah demanded her voice trembling but resolute. "Why are you doing this?"

The man smiled, stepping closer. "You're quite the firecracker, aren't you? Just like Blaze. Always so confident, so untouchable. But you see, Mrs. Baldwin, your husband isn't as invincible as he seems. He has enemies, powerful ones, and unfortunately, you're caught in the crossfire."

Savannah's heart pounded in her chest as she glared at him. "If you think that's going to hurt him, you're sadly mistaken. Blaze will find you, and when he does-"

"Oh, I'm counting on it," the man cut in with a sneer. "In fact, that's the plan."

He dropped low in front of her, his face inches from hers. "You're going to deliver a message for me. A very clear one."

Savannah's fear was tempered by a rush of determination. "I won't do anything for you."

The man smirked, standing up. "Oh, I think you will. Everyone has a breaking point, Savannah. And I'll enjoy finding yours."

He turned and walked out, leaving her alone in the dimly lit room. As the door slammed shut behind him, Savannah took a deep breath, forcing herself to stay calm. Her thoughts immediately turned to Blaze. She knew he'd come for her he always did.

But she also knew she could not just sit and wait. She had to find a way to outwit her captor and get back to him. For now, all she could do was bide her time and look for an opportunity to turn the tables.

Author's Note :

Have a good day/night<3<3