"Elena, honestly, I don't think Chairman Blackwood's demands are that unreasonable. Why don't we just agree to them?"
At that moment, Shandar Solis, who had remained silent up until now, stood up and walked over to Lyra Solis, trying to reason with her. "To be honest, I think he had a point. I might actually be more suitable than you to manage Tempest Pharmaceuticals."
"You've gone too far, Shandar," snapped Walter Shaw before Lyra could even respond. "Ms. Solis was appointed as head of Tempest by the late chairman himself. You have no right to question that."
Walter Shaw had been mentored by the late chairman, and he fully supported Lyra's succession. Besides, he had always looked down on playboys like Shandar.
"Hmph."
Shandar scoffed, refusing to engage with Walter. He turned on his heel and strode out of the room, muttering to himself: "Lysander has made his intentions clear. Once I speak with my godfather again, this time I'm taking that girl Lyra down."
"Ms. Solis, what do you want to do next?"
Watching Shandar leave the conference room, Walter asked with concern. Lyra shook her head slightly and cast a glance at the surveillance camera in the corner.
"Let's head back to the hotel first. We'll strategize there."
Meanwhile, Shandar didn't leave the building right away after storming out of the meeting. He glanced around to make sure no one was following him before striding briskly toward the opposite end of the corridor.
Turning a sharp corner, he came to a lift. A man in black was standing by the doors. Upon seeing Shandar approach, he gave a polite nod. "Mr. Solis, please—this way. The boss is waiting for you."
The man pressed the button, and the elevator opened silently, revealing a sleek, well-lit interior. Shandar nodded and stepped inside. The man followed and pressed the button for the top floor.
Ding!
While Shandar was deep in thought, the lift doors slid open, revealing a long, dimly lit corridor. At the far end stood a beautiful woman in her late twenties, dressed in a sleek modern cheongsam-inspired dress. Her makeup was immaculate, and her hands were folded respectfully at her waist.
"Mr. Solis," she greeted him warmly, "I'm Vivian Shaw, Mr. Blackwood's assistant. This way, please. He's expecting you."
With a graceful turn, she led the way. Shandar hesitated for just a moment before stepping out and following her.
Vivian's figure was alluring—curves in all the right places—and under normal circumstances, Shandar would've flirted shamelessly. After all, he prided himself on being a notorious ladies' man.
But today his mind was occupied with weightier matters. Even such a temptress couldn't distract him now.
They soon reached the end of the corridor, and Vivian pushed open a door, revealing a dazzling interior.
The Helix Tower, a flagship property of Blackwood Technologies, stood 26 stories tall. Floors 20 through 23 housed the company's cutting-edge research labs. The 24th floor was for executive offices, the 25th for leisure, fitness, and dining facilities.
And the 26th—the penthouse floor—was reserved solely for Lysander Blackwood, the company's enigmatic CEO.
The elevator Shandar had taken was a private lift, not accessible to the public. It existed solely for Blackwood's use and was rarely offered to outsiders.
As Shandar stepped into the space, he was momentarily stunned.
The room was the epitome of opulence. From the polished floors to the intricate ceiling moldings, every inch radiated luxury and refinement. Priceless artworks lined the walls, masterpieces from famed painters that infused the air with culture. The floor was covered with handwoven Persian rugs, plush and vibrant underfoot.
A ring of Italian leather sofas was arranged beside the enormous floor-to-ceiling windows. From here, the view of the city skyline was unobstructed and breathtaking. Sunlight poured in, mixing with the soft glow of ambient lighting, creating an atmosphere that screamed exclusivity.
Shandar's heart raced. This... this is what it means to be at the top. This is the life I want.
"Over here, Mr. Solis."
Lysander Blackwood's voice came from the side. Shandar looked over and saw a small private bar tucked into a corner.
Behind it stood a bartender in crisp uniform, moving with precise, practiced grace as he crafted a vividly colored cocktail. His every gesture spoke of skill and elegance.
The back wall of the bar was a softly lit liquor shelf, showcasing a curated collection of elite spirits—aged whiskies, rare vintages, and other exquisite imports from around the world.
A row of high-backed bar stools lined the front, their leather cushions inviting. Blackwood leaned back on one of them, eyes half-closed, gesturing to Shandar with a slight flick of the hand.
"Mr. Blackwood, a pleasure," Shandar said obsequiously as he hurried forward, bowing slightly.
"Sit."
Lysander nodded at one of the stools and slid a cocktail across the bar. "Try it. Paul here is a world-renowned mixologist. I pay him handsomely for good reason—he's won several international titles."
Shandar took a sip, visibly delighted. "Outstanding. Honestly, this might be the best cocktail I've ever had. Worth every penny, Mr. Blackwood."
"Haha…"
Lysander ran a hand over the few remaining strands on his head, grinning without warmth. "You're quite the perceptive man, Mr. Solis. I kept my end of the bargain today. Now—what about yours?"
"You can count on me."
Shandar thumped his chest. "My old man raised me like a son, even though I'm not his by blood. To him, I'm closer than family. Sure, Lyra's his biological daughter, but in his eyes? A woman's place is in the home, not running a major company. He would never have entrusted her with Tempest Pharmaceuticals if he hadn't lost his edge."
Blackwood nodded in satisfaction. After a moment of reflection, he asked, "What's your next step?"
"Simple."
Shandar's tone was confident. "I'm flying back to the capital tonight. I'll stir up a scandal over Blackwood Tech terminating our contract with Tempest. Spin it as Lyra's gross mismanagement. Then I'll push the board to force her resignation."
He paused, eyes gleaming. "Let's face it—losing Blackwood Tech is a fatal blow to Tempest. The board won't keep backing her. Once I take over as CEO, I'll marry her and absorb her shares. From that point on, Tempest answers only to you."
Blackwood tapped his fingers on the bar, then nodded thoughtfully. "My cooperation here isn't just about Blackwood Tech's interests. It's about Tempest's future. The late chairman was a brilliant man. But handing the reins to a little girl? That was a senile move if you ask me."
Then, as if recalling something, he added, "Lyra struck me as a woman of strong will. She won't give in easily. There's a chance she'll reach out to another pharmaceutical lab to form a new alliance. You need to be on guard for that."
Shandar stroked his chin, a flash of cunning in his eyes. "Good point. Don't worry—I've already got eyes on her. If she makes a move, I'll know."
"Excellent."
Blackwood studied him for a long moment, then raised his glass with that same hollow grin. "You're a sharp one, Mr. Solis. I trust you know what you're doing. So, shall we drink to a successful partnership?"
"Haha! Cheers to that, Mr. Blackwood. May our alliance thrive."
Their glasses clinked with a crisp chime, sealing their sinister pact in crystal and ice.