Mr. Villain's Lovely Wife

Chapter 187

2 Hours Ago

Liam sat at the head of the long table, sleeves rolled to his elbows, one hand tapping against a folder marked Projecto Verano: Colombia Site B. The room was quiet except for the low hum of the AC and the occasional sound of someone clearing their throat. Around him, four department heads waited, their expressions tight.

G

“We received confirmation from the Bogotá office at 3:12 PM,” said Julian Park, regional project coordinator. He slid a packet of photos across the table. “The protestors arrived before dawn. The local press got involved within the hour”

Liam flipped through the images. Men and women holding handmade signs stood outside the construction fence. Some had tents set up. There were children in the background.

“They’re locals?”

Julian nodded. “Mostly, Indigenous land advocates and a few environmental watchdogs. They’ve filed a formal complaint with the regional planning board. Apparently, they weren’t properly consulted before the groundbreaking”

“Weren’t they?” Liam asked.

“We followed protocol,” said Alex Tan, head of legal. “But the NGO that filed the complaint is pushing for a new land survey. They’re saying the environmental impact study we submitted was outdated.”

Liam leaned back in his chair, arms crossed.

“Do we know if the complaint has merit?”

Alex hesitated. “There might be a gap in the data. The original study was done two years ago. The surrounding areas may have changed.”

“Then do a new study,” Liam said. “Start it this week.”

“That won’t stop the protests,” Julian added. “We need a public statement or a site visit. Preferably both.”

“I’ll go,” said Martin Chavez, VP of Development for Latin America. “I can fly out tonight.”

Liam shook his head. “No. You’ll stay here. You know the specs and the local contacts. You’re more useful coordinating than shaking hands.”

“Then what should we do?”

Liam tapped his fingers again. “Release a statement saying the company will reassess the environmental impact report with third–party oversight. Announce a community forum next week. Get someone from planning to start organizing it. Make sure there’s local leadership present.”

“And the protestors?”

“Let them stay,” Liam said. “No police. No removals. We work around them. Give the media nothing to escalate.”

Julian nodded, taking notes.

“If they see us trying to fix the issue, they’ll cool down. If we act like they’re a nuisance, this will go international.”

Alex cleared his throat. “You don’t want to fly out?”

tonight,” Liam said as he checked his watch. “One I can’t miss. If the rest of you handle this right,

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Chapter 187

a moment. Then, they all

me a status report every six hours until it’s under control,” Liam said, already rising from

Julian said.

and buttoned it while walking toward the door. “And update me if any cameras show up at the site. Especially international ones. We solve this fast and cleanly. I want

the room before anyone

surprise, however, a familiar face was waiting

Olivier Horvath greeted him.

a halt the moment he saw who was

he said flatly. “What are you doing

his father managed to bypass security and walk freely through the executive floor. No one had sent him a message. No assistant had called. How long

a second. “I’ve been calling you since that little encounter this weekend. What kind of son ignores

blink. “You

jaw tensed. “Watch

this.” Liam adjusted the cuff of his sleeve. “I have other business to

took a step forward. “Fine. Then maybe I’ll just go find Isabella Rossi. I’m

made Liam

didn’t react, not immediately, but his head turned slightly toward him. His father didn’t need to say

then turned and

door without a word. Olivier walked in first like he

muttered. “Too modern.”

closed the door behind

+13

hand along the edge of a cabinet. “Looks like a tech

stood behind his desk. He didn’t sit. “What do

you

want?”

Olivier was still walking,

gesturing. “That’s not oak. And the chairs? Plastic? Leatherette? This is what

didn’t ask for a review of my office,” Liam

Chapter 187

off–center,” Olivier continued. “And what’s that supposed to be? Abstract? You always were too soft

art.”

respond. He simply

him, hands in his pockets. “Fine. I’ll get to the point.”

yet. Not fully. He took his time,

Isabella’s name,” Liam cut in. “What do

he made himself comfortable on the couch. “Nothing.”

am not playing games, Olivier.”

call me Father.”