Who's Crying Now, Ex-Husband?

Chapter 437

All the shareholders seated around the conference table held a stake in the company-some large, some small. Mila, as Montgomery Holdings' largest shareholder, took her place at the head of the table.

Only then did the meeting officially begin.

Things moved quickly. Most of Montgomery Holdings' business revolved around industrial operations, with steady partnerships and established resources. The board only needed to briefly review major projects like oil extraction, energy supply, and the company's overseas defense contracts.

Stability was the goal.

After each item was swiftly settled, Randall McKenna-a middle-aged man seated to Mila's left-finally spoke up, revealing the true purpose behind this meeting.

Research and development.

"Chairwoman Sutherland," he began, "Al-driven automation in heavy industry is the way of the future. Our subsidiary, Falcon Technologies, has already made significant progress in this area, but they're facing a funding shortfall. I propose we allocate five billion dollars to formally launch the project."

Falcon Technologies.

A sudden hush fell over the room. Instinctively, all eyes drifted to Mila.

Falcon Technologies had always been a sensitive subject. It was established by the previous chairman, Lysander, in the face of strong opposition, as a tech- focused offshoot of the group. That alone was controversial enough, but what really set tongues wagging was the persistent rumor that Lysander had gifted the company to his notorious mistress-Giselle.

Originally, Lysander and Giselle were the majority shareholders in Falcon Technologies. Now that Lysander's shares had ended up in Mila's hands, Giselle remained the company's CEO.

It was all rather bizarre.

Mila's unexpected arrival a year ago and her rapid, iron-fisted restoration of order-the board couldn't help but notice echoes of

were ruthless

decisiveness, Mila had never once moved against Giselle, despite the endless online

it restraint. Others wondered if it was something

the board, having witnessed Mila's methods firsthand, had learned to treat Falcon Technologies as if it didn't exist. The topic was quietly buried-until

room tensed, everyone sneaking sideways glances at the woman at the head of the table, her

explaining how automation research would benefit the group. He emphasized that this was a vision Lysander had championed a legacy project,

initiative is. Intelligent automation could revolutionize management in all our major industrial sectors-predicting machine failures, streamlining maintenance, reducing energy waste, improving safety and risk

bring in outside partners, but no external team would be as trustworthy as our own R&D department. I hope, Chairwoman Sutherland, that you'll put aside any personal considerations and make a rational

hung heavy

life. Is there something I don't know? Perhaps you'd like to share the details with

Randall's brow furrowed.

course, he couldn't air

it

every Falcon Technologies proposal, even the solid ones. Surely, that

tone crisp, have a technical background myself. I've personally evaluated Falcon Technologies' current team. The project idea has merit, but their R&D capabilities are limited. I don't believe they're up to the challenge of implementing intelligent automation on

capable team, I'd support the project.

Falcon Technologies' proposal."

put it to

a round of debate, the majority

Randall's face darkened.

just a year, Mila had secured control of over