Chapter 15 - The Cost

A black Porsche stopped in front of the Russo Group, making everyone in the company cautious at the sight of it.

Elena stepped out of the car before opening the backseat door. Isabella stepped out of the car and looked at the company for a moment before making her way to the entrance. 

The staff and higher-ups of the company had been notified that the president of the company would come to the company today. The president they were all curious about. 

They were curious about the president, who built this successful company from nothing in a short time. Not only they but also the other companies' CEOs were curious about her too. They wanted to meet her even once.

Elena was not only Isabella's assistant but also her representative. Elena was the one who ran the company in Italy, as per the orders of Isabella.

Other than her, no one knew who the president of the company was. The only thing they knew was that it was a woman. They tried to know who she was from Elena, but she was tight-lipped. All she ever said was that she was someone far beyond their reach. And that only made everyone's curiosity hit the sky. 

Some even thought of taking advantage of her, assuming since she was a woman, it would be easy for them to control her. But hearing what kind of person she was, they were having doubts about their plans.

That was why, when they got to know that the president had returned from abroad permanently and decided to make the Italy company the headquarters, and most importantly, she would be the one to directly run the company from now on, they were eager to meet her.

They were at the same time scared and nervous, as they had heard many rumors about her. And none of them were positive.

It was rumored that Isabella was the most ruthless businesswoman of the century. Other than work, she didn't interact with the employees. She didn't forgive even a tiny mistake. She was cold-blooded and unapproachable.

She had the nickname ice queen. She was rumored to be very strict. And that made everyone in the company afraid.

Isabella walked inside the company confidently, along with Elena. A few executives of the company stood in a queue in front of the entrance waiting for Isabella.

They wanted to check if the rumors were true, and if not, then how they were going to use her to their advantage. Upon seeing Isabella, they all bowed slightly and greeted her. 

"Welcome, Miss Russo."

Isabella ignored them and walked toward her private elevator without giving them a single glance. Her eyes were void of any emotion, and the aura around her was cold and unapproachable, making everyone stop breathing in fear. But at the same time, bewitched by her beauty.

As the door of the elevator closed, they all breathed out and started to whisper. They were shocked to see Isabella. They never imagined that she would be such a young and beautiful woman. They expected someone old and maybe ugly.

Moreover, the aura of Isabella and the way she directly ignored them made them realize that the rumors about her were true. And if they wanted to be safe in the company, they had to be in Isabella's good book. 

The executives glanced at each other and started to make a plan in their heads of how they would get into her good books.

The little interaction with Isabella made them realize that she was not someone they could handle and afford to mess with. That was why they didn't dare to be on her bad side, and they dropped their plans to use her right away. 

Isabella stepped inside her cabin with Elena trailing behind her, and she sat at her desk. Elena stood in front of the desk and, without any delay, gave Isabella a brief about her today's schedule and the other work. 

When Elena finished, Isabella was satisfied with the schedule and how Elena managed the work. After a lot of research, Isabella found Elena, and she hired her right away. She was the only one who met all the requirements of Isabella.

Because of the capability of Elena, Isabella even made her her representative. And not once did she make her regret her decision. She had been working hard and followed her orders well.

Elena was a loyal person, and it was what caught Isabella's eye. She had proven her loyalty and capability thoroughly many times. And it made Isabella pleased with her decision to hire her.

Suddenly, Isabella realized that Elena hadn't reported to her about an important matter. She looked at Elena and asked calmly,

"What about the Phoenix project?"

"I was about to tell you about this, miss," Elena said, her tone serious and filled with slight nervousness.

The tone of her voice made Isabella frown. She wondered if there was something wrong with the project.

"What happened?" Isabella asked coldly, her heart starting to beat fast.

The Phoenix Project was a very important project for Isabella. It was a project that her dad dreamed of having. A few weeks before her parents died, her dad mentioned this project to Isabella. 

Her dad wouldn't have told her about it if she hadn't bumped into the file about that in her dad's home office. She was interested in that project and asked her dad about it. 

Her dad told her every detail about the project. And while her dad was telling her about it, she saw the excitement and enthusiasm in his eyes. And, by the words of her dad, she understood how much he wanted that project to succeed.

Her dad told her with a big smile that it was his dream project, and he must make it a success. Isabella wanted her dad's dream to come true, and she was also looking forward to it. 

But before the project could even see the light, her parents left the world. Basically, other than Isabella and her dad, no one knew about this project. 

The day of the incident, their company went bankrupt, and Leone Group took over the company. Isabella thought that the person who killed her parents was also behind the bankruptcy of their company.

She would take back her parents' company after she got her revenge. But for now, she wanted to make her dad's dream come true. She wanted to start the Phoenix project and made it a success. She was determined to do that.

That was why, two weeks ago, she discussed this project with Elena and told her to prepare the necessary arrangements for the project until she came to Italy.

She must make this project work. She was not willing to accept even a tiny mistake. That was why Elena's words sent her alarms. It made her scared and also aggrieved.

The coldness of Isabella made Elena afraid, but she didn't show it and remained professional. She looked at Isabella and said calmly,

"We need investment for this project, miss."

Isabella frowned and asked, confused, not getting Elena's point,

"And?"

"To continue and to make this project a success without any troubles, we need investment from a company that has the most influence in Italy."

Isabella's frown deepened as she tried to understand why she would need someone's more influential company's help. She had enough money, influence, sources, and manpower needed for the project. She had more than enough. Then what was the point of needing someone else?

Elena, understanding Isabella's confusion, let out,

"This project is not as simple as it looks, miss. It will be hard to make this project a success. We have all the things that are needed for the project. This is undoubtedly the best project anyone has ever thought about and will bring a fortune if it's successful. But it will also put other companies on alert." 

Elena paused and looked at Isabella, who only gestured for her to continue.

"When it launches, the other companies here will try to cause trouble and may try some tricks. So, to avoid that, we need support from a company that has the most influence here. That way, no one would dare to mess with us."

As Elena finished, Isabella understood her. Even back then, she knew that this project was hard, but she believed in her dad and knew that he would succeed. But at present, the situation is different.

If, with the support of another company, she could make this project work, she would do that.

"Do you have the company list?" Isabella asked, her tone returning to calmness.

"No, miss. I was waiting for your order. Should I start finding the best company?" Elena asked.

"Yes, go ahead and give me the list." Isabella ordered.

"Okay, miss."

"Is there anything else?" 

"No, miss. I will take my leave. There will be a meeting with the executive in an hour. I'll notify you at the time." Elena said, making Isabella nod.

Elena politely slightly bowed and left the cabin. After Elena left, Isabella leaned into her chair and sighed. This project was really important to her. Her dad's dream was really important to her. And she couldn't afford to fail at it. 

She must succeed. She would succeed. No matter what the cost was, she would make this project a success.

But at that time, Isabella didn't know that the cost she was willing to pay would be her.