Mr. Villain's Lovely Wife

Chapter 18

“Thank you for listening to the presentation. You may ask your questions now,” Izzy stood confidently at the front of the boardroom, her gaze sweeping over the team gathered around the polished mahogany table.

The PowerPoint on the screen behind her displayed the Pearl Peject’s core objectives in Macau. She had spent months crafting this proposal, and every detail had been tailored not only to meet LX Hotel Chains‘ under Weiss Inc. standards but also to satisfy Macau’s strict regulations.

“Again, to make the Pearl Project a success,” she began, clicking the next slide. “We need to focus on integrating cultural elements and meeting the regulatory requirements outlined by Macau’s tourism board.” She highlighted key elements of the proposed Macau Cultural Center, a unique addition that would differentiate the Pearl Resort from typical casinos, bringing in high–net–worth travelers interested in more than g–bling

But before she could continue, Calen leaned forward, interrupting, “I appreciate the emphasis on culture, Izzy, but what about profitability? We need to see returns sooner, and this Cultural Center… it doesn’t exactly scream “revenue. Where’s the immediate profit in that? Where’s the numbers?”

She knew this was going to happen.

Izzy kept her gaze level, not missing a beat. “The Cultural Center is essential, not only to gain regulatory approval but also to create a distinct brand presence in Macau. This will attract guests who value experiences beyond the usual casino and nightlife attractions. We’re not just trying to make a quick profit here; we’re building a long–term foothold in Asia.” The previous Izzy wouldn’t dare say something that would put Calen in a bad light. Sadly, that Izzy is gone.

When Izzy decided that she wouldn’t change the proposal, she knew that this clash would eventually happen. So, she chose for it to happen in front of everyone else.

Calen narrowed his eyes, clearly unhappy. “But we’re already pouring millions into this project. I don’t see the point of diverting resources into a part of the hotel that doesn’t directly contribute to the bottom line.”

She moved to the next slide, displaying the phased opening plan “Our phased opening addresses that. By opening the wellness spa and dining areas first, we start generating revenue within months of construction. This approach cases the financial burden and starts creating brand visibility while we complete the casino portion. Macau is a unique market, and our goal should be establishing a solid foundation rather than rushing to immediate returns.”

Calen leaned back in his chair. “That’s unnecessary. The casino and entertainment areas bring in the real money. We should. focus on them from the start and cut anything that isn’t profitable right away.”

Izzy tapped the table, making her point clear. “Mr. Weiss, Macau’s regulatory board is prioritizing projects that align with their vision for sustainable tourism. We can’t afford to ignore this. If we push forward without these cultural elements, we risk project delays, or worse, shutdowns. The phased approach minimizes that risk.”

Calen’s jaw tightened, his expression hardening. “Are you implying my approach is risky?”

first hotel in Asia. We are not only carrying the LX name but the

her, visibly irritated. As usual, he started drumming his fingers on the table. “What you’re proposing sounds slow and unnecessary. The cultural elements could come later. We don’t need to bend over backward to please every local requirement right from the start.” Calen gritted his teeth. For a moment he was tempted to remind her who she was working for. Why was this woman being so hardheaded today? Did

overly concerned with these cultural elements, Izzy. Maybe

here is profitability, not community service. This isn’t some charity event–it’s

clearly trying to pull the team into his line

H

Chapter 18

going to attract the kind of clientele we need to stay competitive? People come the

Macau for the

exchanged uncomfortable glances but said nothing, shifting in their seats, Izzy felt their eyes flick between her and Calen, watching the exchange like a tennis match. Most of the company knew about their

project. Even Monica, standing behind Calen, was caught off guard. She hadn’t expected Izzy to challenge him

suggestions and do things his way. What’s gotten into

Izzy kept her

objective,” Izzy said evenly, meeting Calen’s gaze. “But as I mentioned, Macau’s tourism board is prioritizing projects that include cultural elements. Their policies are clear: sustainable tourism is key. If we ignore those requirements, we risk delays–or worse, being denied

a mocking smile on his face. “So, we’re just going to jump through hoops for a bunch of government officials? Since when does LX Hotels let red tape tell us what we can

isn’t just about Macau; this is our entry point for the entire continent. Ignoring the regulations now could set us back years with every future project we try to launch here.” She wanted to tell him that she had been doing all the

wasn’t

expected, Calen’s expression shifted, his smile tightening as he looked around the room, clearly trying to pull the others onto his side. “Look at that,” he said, giving a casual shrug, “Apparently, we’ve all got our priorities wrong. Izzy here seems to think cultural

framing her careful planning as a weakness. She glanced around. the table, catching the uncertain looks of a few team members. However, everyone on her team knew that it was Izzy who did the work.

A phased approach with cultural elements ensures our

out a low laugh, his smirk widening. “Commitment, huh? I thought commitment meant following directions from your superior. You’re the VP, Izzy, Let’s

felt her pulse quicken. She didn’t know how she kept her tone calm as she said, “My role is to advise on the project’s success, and part of that is making sure we avoid costly mistakes Rushing this could hurt us,