Chapter 14: The Perfect Illusion

Alexander sat at the head of the sleek conference table in Blackwood Enterprises, his expression unreadable as he listened to his legal team finalize the details of the Evergreen Logistics deal. The contract was set. The numbers had been checked. Evergreen was on board.

Or so he believed.

Lily sat beside him, her tablet open, occasionally glancing at him for silent confirmation before proceeding with any final adjustments. She had done her job well—too well. The moment she had informed him of Isabella's supposed interference, he had doubled down, making sure Evergreen felt secure in Blackwood's hands.

A slight smirk tugged at his lips. Carter thought she could shake this deal? She had underestimated him.

Across the table, Philip Langston, the CEO of Evergreen Logistics, leaned forward. "Everything looks solid, Alexander. We're ready to proceed."

Alexander nodded, keeping his satisfaction in check. "Good. Let's get this signed."

The room fell silent as Philip reached for the pen. The moment his signature touched the paper, Alexander felt a surge of triumph. It was over. The deal was his.

Or so he thought.

Carter Consulting – The Moment of Truth

Isabella watched the clock, each tick echoing in her office. Claire sat across from her, a nervous but excited energy radiating from her. The moment Evergreen signed Blackwood's contract, the real game would begin.

A soft ding echoed from her laptop. A new email. Philip Langston.

Subject: As planned, we're pulling out.

Isabella exhaled slowly, her lips curving into a victorious smile.

"It's done," she said.

Claire nearly jumped out of her seat. "They actually signed? Blackwood has the deal—just for them to back out?"

"Exactly," Isabella said, leaning back in her chair. "Blackwood thought he was securing Evergreen, but what he didn't realize is that we've been negotiating with Evergreen's biggest competitor—Titan Freight. The moment Blackwood's deal falls apart, Titan Freight will step in—with us."

Claire let out a low whistle. "That's ruthless."

Isabella's expression hardened. "It's business. And for too long, Blackwood has been winning. Now, it's our turn."

Blackwood Enterprises – The Fallout

It happened faster than Alexander expected.

One moment, he was savoring his victory. The next, Philip Langston was calling him, his voice tense.

"I'm sorry, Alexander. The board has reconsidered. We're pulling out of the deal."

Alexander's grip tightened around his phone. "What?"

"It's nothing personal," Philip continued. "We just realized we have a better opportunity elsewhere. We appreciate your time."

The line went dead.

For a long moment, Alexander stared at his phone. Then, slowly, he placed it on the table, his mind whirring.

Carter.

She had set him up.

Lily shifted nervously beside him. "Sir?"

Alexander clenched his jaw. He wasn't just angry—he was furious. Isabella had played him, fed false information through Lily, forced him to commit to a deal that was destined to collapse.

She had outmaneuvered him.

He exhaled sharply, then stood. "Cancel everything for the rest of the day."

Lily hesitated. "But—"

"Now," Alexander snapped, his voice low but dangerous.

Lily nodded quickly and scurried out of the room. The moment the door shut, Alexander leaned against his desk, his hands pressed against the wood.

He wasn't just furious at Isabella.

A part of him—one he hated to acknowledge—was impressed.

But if she thought this was over, she was wrong.

Isabella Carter had just declared war.

And Alexander Blackwood never lost.