Never Again Yours (Isadora and Magnus)

Chapter 241

Abbott's pupils contracted sharply at those words.

Across the table, one of the project managers-Carlson-went pale, the blood draining from his face. Instinctively, his gaze flicked to Abbott.

Their eyes met. Abbott, gaze razor-sharp, gave the slightest shake of his head. The message was unmistakable: *If you so much as think about owning up to this, I'll ruin you right here and now.*

Moments later, the conference room screen lit up with the project directors' scores -specifically, the ratings for Isadora's firm.

Nearly everyone had given Seafarer Designs a score north of 95. But then there was Carlson, who'd dragged the average down with a glaringly low 30.

The disparity was impossible to ignore. A wave of uneasy murmurs rippled through the room.

Forcing down his fear, Carlson got to his feet and tried to defend his score, voice strained but defiant.

"Mr. Oakley, the scores are purely subjective. Personally, I just don't like Seafarer Designs' proposals!"

Isadora studied Carlson. She didn't recognize him and had no idea why he was singling out her team.

up, "May I ask, Mr. Carlson, given how similar the designs from Seafarer and Gemini Collective are, what

words seemed to

this meeting-the reason representatives were here defending their firms-was precisely *because* Seafarer Designs and Gemini

excuse didn't

"Carlson, I

icy laughter cut through the tension. "So

and commanding-every word seemed

his throat. He knew Carlson was the problem, but admitting it now

score. Outsiders might think the entire Oakley Group was

couldn't-*wouldn't*-admit to

stammered, "It's... that's right. The scoring

"perhaps we should vote you, our incompetent chairman, right out of the room.

went

who looked like he was about to beg for mercy

his scheme was foolproof-was completely blindsided by

course Abbott

for his arrogance, and even more so for the sheer power he wielded. No one in their right mind