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 They’re saying the environmental impact study we submitted was outdated.”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?”

event tonight,” Liam said as he checked his watch. “One I can’t miss. If the rest

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Chapter 187

a moment. Then, they

a status report every six hours until it’s under

do,” Julian said.

me if any cameras show up at the site. Especially international ones. We solve

already out of the room before

surprise, however, a familiar face

Horvath greeted

the moment he saw who was waiting outside

said flatly. “What are you doing here?”

didn’t shake his hand. Nor even hide his irritation. Inwardly, he was already calculating how 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 had he been

this weekend. What kind

“You are a

tensed. “Watch your tone.”

have time for this.” Liam adjusted the cuff of his sleeve. “I have other

go find Isabella Rossi.

Liam

react, not immediately, but his head turned slightly toward him. His father

once, then turned and started walking. “Follow me.”

the hall to his private office and opened the door without a word. Olivier walked in first like he owned the space, his eyes

he muttered. “Too modern.”

door behind them.

+13

gray?” Olivier ran a hand along the edge of a cabinet. “Looks like

past him and stood behind his desk. He didn’t

you

want?”

was still

cheap,” he added, gesturing. “That’s not oak. And the chairs? Plastic? Leatherette? This

for a review of my office,” Liam said.

Chapter 187

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

art.”

didn’t respond. He simply waited.

his pockets. “Fine. I’ll

He took his time, like always. But Liam was done indulging.

name,” Liam cut in.

lifted an eyebrow as he made himself comfortable on the couch. “Nothing.”

am not playing games, Olivier.”

should call