Chapter 15: Retaliation

Alexander sat in his dimly lit office, his fingers steepled as he processed the disaster that had unfolded. Isabella had played him, and she had played him well. The worst part? He hadn't seen it coming.

His phone vibrated on the desk. Ethan Reed.

"Talk," Alexander said, his voice clipped.

Ethan wasted no time. "We traced the leak. It wasn't just Lily—Carter fed Evergreen false intel to push us into locking in the deal before they pulled out. But the real kicker? Titan Freight was waiting to sweep in."

Alexander closed his eyes briefly, rage simmering beneath the surface. "She didn't just sabotage the deal," he said slowly. "She made sure we lost the entire industry advantage."

"Exactly," Ethan confirmed. "And now, Carter Consulting is set to announce their partnership with Titan Freight within the next forty-eight hours."

Alexander's grip on his phone tightened. Isabella had just made her boldest move yet. And if she thought he was going to sit back and lick his wounds, she was dead wrong.

His voice was ice. "I want everything on Carter's next move. If they're partnering with Titan Freight, there's a weakness in that deal. Find it."

Ethan hesitated. "And if we don't find one?"

Alexander's lips curled into a dangerous smirk. "Then we create one."

Carter Consulting – A Moment of Triumph

Isabella sat at the long oak conference table, the energy in the room buzzing with success. The Titan Freight deal was locked in.

"This is a game-changer for us," Claire said, unable to contain her excitement. "Blackwood never saw it coming."

Isabella sipped her coffee, satisfaction settling deep in her chest. "Because he underestimated us," she said simply.

Her phone buzzed. A message from Philip Langston at Evergreen.

"Blackwood isn't staying quiet. Word is, he's already planning a counterstrike. Be ready."

Isabella smirked. She had expected as much. Alexander Blackwood wasn't the type to accept defeat.

"Alexander's going to retaliate," she said, setting her cup down. "We need to make sure Titan Freight is bulletproof."

Claire nodded. "I'll double-check the contracts, make sure there are no vulnerabilities."

Isabella exhaled, a flicker of anticipation running through her. This was far from over.

But the real question was: how far would Alexander go to win?

And was she truly ready for what came next?