Chapter 1401
Nicholas looked at him indifferently. “Why so anxious, Mr. Montgomery p>
“Isn’t the Montgomery family’s foundation deep? It’s just a standard project review. Surely it can withstand a little public scrutiny p>
The crowd’s gazes turned even more loaded.
This wasn’t just about withstanding scrutiny.
Nicholas had publicly seized them by the throat.
The Montgomery family had just been parading their hidden aristocratic status, acting like they were offering charity to the Lancaster heiress.
Talking about paving the way.
Talking about supporting her.
And now they were exposed: the project their Third Branch desperately wanted to advance was currently stalled on the Blackwood family’s desk.
Yet moments ago, they had been trying to poach Nicholas’s fiancée right in front of him.
The scene was beyond awkward.
They had practically offered up their own faces for the Blackwood family to slap.
Dominic desperately tried to salvage his pride, taking a deep breath. “Business is business. Don’t you think using something like this to intimidate us is beneath you, Mr. Blackwood p>
Nicholas raised an eyebrow. “Intimidate you p>
He let out a soft laugh.
The smile was faint, but it sent chills down the spine.
“You misunderstand, Mr. Montgomery. I was simply reminding you p>
“Your own path isn’t even clear, yet you’re in a rush to pave one for my fiancée p>
“It’s quite laughable p>
Dominic’s face looked as ugly as possible.
Nicholas’s tone remained utterly relaxed. “Since the Montgomery family values its foundation so much, the Eastside Bio-Energy Project will be re-evaluated under our highest standards p>
“Compliance, capital, offshore accounts, beneficiary structures—a full comprehensive audit. We’ll discuss approval once it’s completely clean p>
Sebastian’s pupils contracted violently.
A full comprehensive audit!
Those words essentially meant the Third Branch’s Eastside project was completely dead in the water.
The Eastside Bio-Energy Project was the Montgomery Third Branch’s crucial ticket to turning their fortunes around.
They had been losing ground in
s internal power
and several of their
were bleeding money..net>
Given their financial state, every day the project stalled meant massive losses.
If the Blackwood family firmly blocked this approval, the Third Branch’s position within the
vel
even more dire
Montgomery family would t
Furthermore, Nicholas declaring a full comprehensive audit in front of everyone.
This wasn’t just a refusal to cooperate.
It was a signal to all of Vaelion City’s elite circle:
The Montgomery Third Branch had offended the Blackwood family.
Sebastian
his smile,
could no longer maintain
his voice dropping several registers Mr. Blackwood, isn’t this going a bit far p>
Nicholas’s gaze didn’t even shift. “Is it? I’m simply following protocol p>
“Given the Montgomery family’s deep foundation, surely you have nothing to hide from an audit p>
As soon as the words fell.
Several people nearby had to lower their heads to stifle their laughter.
Moments ago, Dominic was using their ‘hidden foundation’ to pressure Serena.
Now, Nicholas was feeding those exact words right back to them.
Anyone with eyes could see what was happening.
The Blackwood Crown Prince was avenging his fiancée.
The Lancaster heiress didn’t need anyone to pave her way.
And she certainly didn’t need a sinking ship like the Montgomery Third Branch trying
to boss her around.
Nicholas looked down at Serena.
The girl’s expression was calm, devoid of much emotion, but a faint curve graced her lips.
Clearly, she was enjoying the show.
The coldness in Nicholas’s eyes softened, a smile pulling at the corner of his mouth.
He reached out and hooked his fingers around hers. “If you don’t want to deal with them, leave it to me p>
Serena glanced down at his long, elegant fingers, her red lips curling, and she didn’t pull away.
Old Mr. Blackwood immediately jutted his chin out in pride.