Chapter 244: Chapter 244
At that moment, Lovi leaned back slightly, his hands loosely folded in front of him, the hint of a knowing smile tugging at the corner of his lips. His calm demeanor hadn’t changed, but his words now carried the weight of precision and calculated control.
"So here’s what I’m proposing," Lovi began, his voice steady and deliberate. "You want results, and I want something solid something real. So we don’t waste time dancing around this. After I identify Mr. B, I want 2% of the deal paid to me upfront. Immediately. No delays, no further meetings, no long talks. Then only after I help you actually pressure Mr. B into handing over or selling his shares to you I get the remaining 3%. That’s how it becomes fair. That’s how it becomes safe for me."
He paused briefly, locking eyes with Cora, as if daring her to challenge it. "I’m not just going to throw myself into a fire for a maybe. I don’t run on hope. I run on security. This way, you get your leverage and I get mine. Two percent now, three percent when the job’s done. It’s a win-win. No one feels used. And we can all work together knowing trust is backed with action."
There was silence in the room for a few seconds, not because of hesitation, but because what he just laid on the table was unexpectedly reasonable yet assertive.
Cora, who had folded her arms while listening, slowly exhaled. She glanced at Malisa beside her, who gave a small nod of agreement. Cora had always hoped to avoid giving Lovi anything upfront. To her, that felt like risk. But standing here, hearing him speak with that calm confidence and outlining a structure that still left most of the power with her, she knew she’d be foolish to push any further.
She didn’t like being boxed into corners, but this wasn’t a corner it was just a smaller gamble. One she could afford.
Cora finally stepped forward and nodded firmly.
"No problem," she said, her tone cool but composed. "Lovi, you have a deal."
At that moment, Lovi sat back with a slow grin spreading across his face. He wasn’t just playing along anymore he was playing ahead. He knew very well that Cora and Malisa didn’t plan to give him the full share or even real control. But what they didn’t know was that he had no intention of letting go of that leverage either.
He didn’t have the money to buy the shares, no. But he had something even better. Power. And he was going to hold onto that power tightly like it was gold in his hands.
So as the final papers were being drafted, and deals were being shaken, Lovi’s mind had already gone far. He was going to keep the identity of Mr. B as a powerful card in his pocket. Once he revealed it, he knew chaos would follow and Cora would come running. She needed that share badly. And once she realized she couldn’t have it without him, that’s when he would strike.
He’d walk into her office with confidence in his steps and charm in his voice. He wouldn’t shout. No. He’d smile. Calm. Cool. Dangerous. He’d lean close, whisper in her ear that if she truly wanted the full deal to go through, then she would have no choice but to marry him.
Yes, marry him.
This wasn’t about love. This wasn’t about affection. This was about power, dominance, and control. Lovi wanted more than money he wanted a piece of Cora’s life. He wanted to see what she could offer behind all that sharp business talk. And deep down, without even being told, he could feel it things were moving in the exact direction he wanted.
So, with that same smile still resting on his lips, he stepped closer to her, looked her straight in the eye, and spoke.
"I’ll do it," he said, his tone smooth and serious. "I’ll do everything humanly possible to identify Mr. B within the next 24 hours. You’ll have your man. And once I confirm his identity, I’ll make sure the pressure is applied just right, until he has no choice but to hand over or sell that share. I’ll find a way. I always do."
He leaned back slowly, eyes still locked on Cora.
"Everything is going to go smoothly. And swiftly."
***
Robert was seated alone in his sleek, modern office, silently flipping through a document he had read twice already without absorbing a word. His mind was elsewhere occupied with the silent chaos of upcoming decisions and the subtle power plays unfolding within the company. The sharp ticking of the silver clock on his wall echoed faintly, filling the otherwise silent room with a rhythm that matched his pulse.
Just then, a soft knock broke through his thoughts. His gaze shifted to the door as it gently opened, revealing his secretary. She stepped in carefully, clutching a small tablet against her chest. Her eyes met Robert’s briefly before she bowed slightly in respect.
"I’m sorry to interrupt, sir," she began in a low, professional voice. "But you have a guest. He wasn’t on the guest list, and we weren’t expecting anyone else today."
Robert raised an eyebrow slightly, now giving her his full attention. The way she spoke had a subtle urgency in it.
She continued, "I tried to let him know that you weren’t available, and that he would need to book an appointment, but... he’s being adamant. He refuses to leave."
Robert leaned back in his chair, his expression unreadable.
"There’s something else," she added, hesitant. "The way he’s seated in the waiting lounge, the way he carries himself it doesn’t feel ordinary, sir. He has this... presence. Not like someone who’s bluffing his way in. He seems important. Maybe even someone you know."
That caught Robert’s interest.
He frowned lightly, but not in frustration more in thought. If this person was someone from his past, or worse, someone who held leverage, it was a situation he couldn’t afford to mishandle. On the other hand, if it was a bluff, then the man was either brave or stupid and both options required close attention.
"And you’re sure he’s not on any list?" Robert asked, tilting his head slightly.
The secretary nodded quickly. "Completely sure, sir. I double-checked all scheduled appointments."
There was a brief silence as Robert considered his options. He could call in security CQC was always ready on a moment’s notice. But something told him this situation required more subtlety than force. The fact that the man wasn’t aggressive, just calmly waiting, only made the mystery sharper.
With a measured tone, Robert finally said, "Well then... no problem. Bring him in."