The Billionaire's Regret

Chapter 48

Ivy enjoyed an easy ride because there was no traffic. On the other hand, she was bewildered as to why other cars on the road were aggressively avoiding her. The vehicles in front and behind her were many meters away, even while she was stopped at a red signal. Does it have anything to do with the fact that she’s a female driver? Ivy pondered. When Ivy arrived at the workplace, she handed over her keys to the parking valet and entered the lobby. She spotted Anna Gomez gazing at her sternly with an obvious bitterness out of the corner of her eye. Ivy was puzzled. Did she find out that she handed Cooper the tape? She shouldn’t have found out so soon. “Why didn’t you go up the stairs, Ms. Gomez, when you’re here already?” Anna sniffed harshly and gazed at her with disdain. “Mr. Morgan must really adore you for him to gift you such a costly car. It has to be more than $3 million, doesn’t it?” How can Ivy afford a Porsche Cayenne otherwise? It also has the highest specifications when it comes to features! Anna wondered. Ivy grimaced as she recalled something. She chuckled softly and swept her hair behind her back. “It’s only a car,” she arched her brow, “why would I require someone to buy it for me if I can pay for it myself?” she asked, and then she brushed around Anna’s flushed face and proceeded to the President’s private elevator as if nothing had happened. Did Anna think she could bribe her with a used Audi? Ivy pondered. Greg met her upstairs and informed her of the upcoming meeting. Ivy entered the conference room wearing high heels. Anna came in at that exact moment. Ivy cast a peek around the room and noticed everybody was present. “Let’s get started,” she asserted. They had struck an agreement with ABC Corporation on the scope of this collaboration. The rest was all about the specifics. All of their income and interests are based on these inconspicuous features. They needed to talk about everything because every tiny detail meant a lot of money. Some of the stockholders served as department heads as well. They were already disgruntled with

Ivy, who had airlifted in. As a result, because Cooper was not present, they were less engaged with Ivy. Those stockholders disagreed on a few points, delaying progress. When Ivy’s people suggested a concept, they would make excuses and avoid accountability. She cast a peek around the room and realized they were only there to watch a play. Anna Gomez scoffed as she sat on the sidelines. Jess Croft also attended the meeting, which was unusual, but he said nothing. He smiled like an old fox as the others put Ivy in a challenging situation. “After all, Miss Ivy is still young. Even though you were able to take on this ABC project, it is still in its infancy in this industry, and it is unclear if it will make or lose money. As a result, we won’t dare to take too many risks. Miss Ivy, you must understand how the rest of us feel,” Jess said. Ivy’s lips were hooked. “Do you understand your emotions? Do you mean you want to breach our contract with ABC Corporation, Mr. Croft?” Jess Croft was surprised for a time and wondered… How did it get to the point where he wanted to breach the contract? If Cooper Morgan returns, he’ll kill me! “Of course not! We can’t make this choice since Mr. Morgan is out of the country. Why don’t we put it on hold till the President returns?” Croft asked. Does he wish to put a stop to time? In this new sphere of innovation, every minute is a chance. If Morgan Corporation loses its supremacy and no longer has a say in this initiative, it will be meaningless even if they are involved, Ivy pondered. Ivy grinned as she bowed her head. As she gazed around the table, her eyes narrowed, and her face became chilly. “So, if Mr. Morgan does not return, none of you will work? Are you planning a strike?” Nobody expected Ivy, who was always kind, to become enraged. Ivy may have appeared to be a spoiled mistress, but she was not dumb. “You are all the best in the business. Will you face the final damages if you continuously postpone advancement because the boss isn’t present? Can you really afford it? Which organization would want to hire such individuals?”

Ivy’s stare was harsh and stern as she flicked her sight over the room. Do they want to make life difficult for me while Cooper is away? It’s a shame I’m not a softie! For a full minute, the meeting room was deafeningly quiet. Jess Croft’s face was flushed, and he had no idea Ivy would pull the gun on them. “It’s not—” Ivy disturbed him without a care in the world. “I think you all received notification this morning that I am in charge of everything in the company in Mr. Morgan’s absence. I’m in charge of this project, so if you don’t want to be a part of it, please hand me your letter of resignation as soon as possible,” she asserted, tired of their shit, “your subordinates will take up your positions. I’ll go over everything with Mr. Morgan,” she added. The people in the room were stunned and deafeningly silent. They’d all trampled on each other to become department heads, and their subordinates were coveting their places. Because it was a highly desirable position, no one dared to act hastily at this time. Although they couldn’t stand the fact that Ivy had been thrown into her Vice President role, they all could tell how much Cooper Morgan had backed her since the day she started. They were well aware that they couldn’t afford to upset Ivy. Jess Croft’s incitement to bring Ivy off her lofty perch made them all regret it. The air in the boardroom was suffocatingly frigid. Nobody dared to make a noise. Jess Croft felt the same way since no one dared to make things tough for Ivy at this time. “Manager Brandon of the planning department, can the planning plan come out today?” Sean Brandon, the Head of the Planning Department, was named and raised his head abruptly. “That’s right, Miss. Following this meeting, the Planning Department will develop the best strategy possible in the shortest amount of time. We will not, under any circumstances, impede the project’s progress.” Those who had risen to these positions were all seasoned veterans who were astute and adaptive. They’d take Ivy’s offer because she’d given them a chance. It would be their loss if they did not. Ivy gave a satisfied nod and looked around the room. Her tone of voice had softened. “How about the rest of the departments?” “We’ll look into that right away.”

“We will not fail the firm!” “It’s the same here.” “Of course, we’ve been planning for this for a long time. We’ll do a great job!” Everyone’s pledge of support immediately calmed the mood in the meeting room. Ivy’s expression softened, and she regained her kind manner as they continued their conversation. In fact, they were all well-informed and prepared. After all, they were all competent and wise enough to run their separate departments in such a vast organization. Jess Croft and Anna Gomez, who had been purposefully ignored, sat on the side with gloomy expressions. Ivy didn’t care about them because their time at the organization was coming to an end. Ivy noticed that it was getting close to the end of the meeting and stated, “Although the key research team is from ABC Corporation, we must also be ready. I’ve already addressed it with Mr. Saver. Even though we will not be participating in the creation of the fundamental technology, he has promised to send two researchers over to participate in the subsequent development. We’ll give two of our most capable and dependable employees, so let’s start looking for ideal prospects. The HR Department should also attach more importance to this.” Ivy was pleased with today’s meeting. Everyone wanted to stay after the meeting and talk to her for a few minutes to create a stronger friendship. She responded to each of them and smiled genuinely, so much so that she appeared to be an entirely different person than the severe and icy personality she had previously assumed. Greg rushed over and whispered in her ear. “The Chairman of The Reed Corporation is here.” Ivy arched her brow. That was quick! It turns out that Don Reed is more worried than she thought. After all, Don Reed was the Chairman of Reed Corporation, and Ivy couldn’t ignore him out of respect for their business’s relationships. Ivy nodded and exited the meeting room. “Does he have a seat in the guest lounge?” she inquired. Greg shook his head in disbelief. “He came right to your office,” he said.

Ivy was taken aback, but she knew Don Reed had only come to get the emerald pipe she now owned. She giggled, bowed her head, and pushed the door open. She didn’t expect to see Piper Reed sitting next to Don Danilo Reed. “How rude are you?! How can you enter without first knocking?” Don Reed sat erect on the sofa, a cold expression on his face as he glanced at Ivy at the door. Is he trying to bring me down? I just went through this shit in the meeting, and now I have to deal with it again? Ivy pondered. “When I come into my office, Don Reed, I never knock.”