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?”

regulatory landscape is a far bigger risk than waiting for casino profits. This is LX’s first hotel in Asia. We are not only carrying the LX name but the whole Weiss Inc. Any misstep here could set us back for years in expanding across the continent. We need to do it right the

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 she hit her head

Calen added. “You seem overly concerned with these cultural elements, Izzy. Maybe you’re forgetting

This isn’t some charity event–it’s a business venture.”

glanced around the room, clearly trying to pull the team into his line of thinking. “Can

H

Chapter 18

need to stay competitive? People come the nightlife, the high–end thrill–not

for the

in their seats, Izzy felt their eyes flick between her and Calen, watching the exchange like a tennis match. Most of the

behind Calen,

and do things his way.

surprise, however, Izzy kept her composure, meeting his gaze

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.

hoops for a bunch of government officials? Since when does LX Hotels let red tape tell

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

calmed herself. She knew this wasn’t

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 fluff is more important than the bottom line. Maybe we should

a few team members. However, everyone on her team knew that it was Izzy who did the work. There is

why I’m advising we proceed carefully. A phased approach with cultural elements ensures our long–term position. This is about showing LX’s

meant following directions from your superior. You’re the VP, Izzy, Let’s keep that

advise on the project’s success, and part of that is making sure we avoid costly mistakes Rushing this could hurt us, Calen,