Chapter 426
Chapter 426:
“It feels like a key,” Isolde said softly. “The real prize isn’t the equity, Arland. It’s the access. We control their manufacturing, which means we control their R&D data, their prototypes, their patents. We’re not just taking a piece of the company…” Her lips curled into a dangerous smile. “We’re going to hollow it out from the inside p>
Just then, Arland’s phone buzzed. He glanced at the screen and held it up for Isolde to see. It was a breaking news alert from the Wall Street Journal.
The headline read: Lancaster Holdings Publicly Concedes ‘Critical Supply Chain Failures’ at InnoTech; Taps Rival Carson Dynamics in Unprecedented Partnership to Salvage Federal Contract.
Isolde nodded, satisfied. The public concession was secured.
𝘕оvе𝗅𝘀 𝗂ո 𝗍𝘳𝖾𝗇d 𝗼n
The Catskill Mountains. Route 23A.
The rain was a solid gray curtain, hammering against the windshield with enough force to drown out the engine’s hum.
Isolde gripped the leather steering wheel at ten and two. Her knuckles were white, her eyes narrowed, scanning the slick, winding asphalt ahead.
“Can you please turn off the wipers?” Belle snapped from the passenger seat. “The squeaking is giving me a migraine p>
Isolde didn’t look at her. She didn’t even blink.
“If I turn them off, we hit a tree,” Isolde said, her voice flat. “Pick your poison, Belle p>
Belle huffed and crossed her arms over her chest. She aggressively flipped down the sun visor mirror and began applying a fresh coat of lipstick, despite the car swaying through the hairpin turns.
“I still don’t understand why this was necessary,” Belle muttered, snapping the compact shut. “A joint site inspection. It’s a ridiculous PR stunt p>
“The board mandated it after the stock incident,” Isolde replied, her voice clipped. It was a concession she’d been forced to make to appease the nervous federal contractors — a public showing of unity between Carson Dynamics and InnoTech. A complete and utter lie. “And you lost your company car privileges when you lost the company money. This was the only vehicle available on short notice p>
Belle’s jaw tightened. She turned in her seat to look out the back window.
A massive black Cadillac Escalade was following them, maintaining a steady three-car distance. Its LED headlights cut through the storm like lasers.
“Grayson is right there,” Belle said, a smug tone creeping back into her voice. “He insisted on coming. He’s protecting me p>
Isolde’s eyes flicked to the mirror. She saw the grille of the Escalade looming in the mist. She remembered the argument at the rental agency an hour ago — Grayson had tried to insist they all ride together. She had refused, the thought of being trapped in a confined space with both of them making her skin crawl.
“He is supervising his investment,” Isolde corrected. “Don’t flatter yourself p>
The road began to dip sharply. A yellow sign flashed past: STEEP GRADE. 15% DECLINE. TRUCKS USE LOW GEAR.
Isolde lifted her foot off the accelerator. The car picked up speed, gravity pulling them down the wet slope. She tapped the brake pedal to scrub off some speed before the next curve.
The pedal felt wrong.