Mr. Villain's Lovely Wife

Lovely wife 229 Reputational Impact Olivier stormed out of the boardroom the moment the final vote was cast. It was done. Liam would hold the voting authority. Reinhardt had been named interim proxy CEO. The board didn't even hesitate to adjourn once the papers were signed.

He caught up to Liam just outside the double doors that led toward the CEO's office suite. Olivier's voice rose without thinking. "Where do you think you're going!?" Liam paused mid-stride. He didn't turn fully at first. Just enough.

Olivier took a few more steps toward him.

"Step down," Olivier said. "Right now. You are not ready for this role." Liam narrowed his eyes, still silent.

"You're my son," Olivier added, walking closer. "You are supposed to listen to me." Liam didn't move.

"I built this company with your grandfather," Olivier continued. "I carried it through three fiscal downturns. And now the board sides with you? Of course, they did. You married into the Rossi Group. You used your wife's last nlike a shield, and now they think you're sdamn savior. But I see it for what it is. You're taking advantage of that girl." Liam finally turned. His expression stayed the same-cold, measured.

"If you're looking for someone to blame," he said, "go look in the mirror." Olivier stepped closer. "Don't act like you earned this. The press hates you. Your wife dragged this company into the spotlight. And you've been walking around like none of it matters. Like your nalone gives you immunity." Liam didn't react.

"You think I'm the problem?" asked. "She has her hooks in you and you don't even see it." Liam laughed once-short, sharp.

"Go visit your father, Liam said. "He's the one in surgery. Not you. You should try acting like a son for once instead of trying to take his chair." Without waiting for another word, Liam turned and walked down the corridor. He didn't look back. He didn't slow. Olivier stood frozen, fists clenched, his pulse loud in his ears. He watched his son disappear down the hall as if the conversation never happened.

He didn't speak again until he was outside. His car was already waiting. Olivier yanked the door open and climbed in, slamming it shut behind him.

"Drive," he snapped.

However, the driver didn't respond.

"Drive, I said-" Olivier leaned forward- The driver didn't move. His chin rested heavily on his chest. Unconscious.

Olivier's hand hovered near the door handle.

Then a soft sound cfrom the back seat.

He turned sharply.

A man sat there, dressed entirely in black. Black turtleneck. Black tailored suit. A matching black hat. Face shadowed. Olivier recoiled slightly, his hand half-raised.

The man didn't move. "I'm not here to harm you," the stranger said. "I'm an ally. And I can help you." Olivier didn't respond right away. He looked at the driver again. Still out cold. Then back to the stranger. "Who are you?" The man smiled faintly and adjusted his sleeve, revealing a glimpse of a watch- not flashy, but expensive. Understated. European.

"I represent someone who doesn't like what just happened old guard to stay in power." Olivier stared.

that building," the man said. "Someone who prefers the Successfully unlocked! "We believe Liam Horvath isn't the right one to lead. And we think you agree." The man leaned forward slightly.

1/3 Reputational Impact "You want the seat back, don't you?" Olivier didn't answer, but he didn't look away either.

The man placed a small black envelope on the armrest beside him.

"Then we'll be in touch." Olivier glanced at the envelope. His hand hovered near it just as the man reached forward and tapped the side panel of the door twice.

Then, the driver stirred suddenly, blinking like he'd just woken from a nap. "Mr. Horvath! I-" Olivier didn't hear the rest of the driver's words as he looked and realized that the back seat was empty. The man was gone. Olivier sat motionless, staring at the envelope for a long time. Then he picked it up, slid it into his inside pocket, and exhaled once.

"Drive," he said again.

This time, the driver obeyed.

Meanwhile, Izzy sat in front of the camera while listening to the current reports for Rossi Group. Just as she expected, Gregory didn't join today's meeting. Instead, it was Frederik.

"Just as i said, it is critical that all members of the board avoid scandal that would affect the company or we would be forced to kick someone out," Frederik said with a meaningful smile on his face.

Frederik tapped the screen beside him, and the slide changed to a highlighted section of the Rossi Group board charter. He didn't look at Isabella on the screen just yet. He faced the room, hands lightly resting on the table, his measured.

expression

"Section 3.4 of our internal governance policy, Frederik said, "states clearly that board members must avoid personal or public entanglements that could negatively reflect on the reputation of the Rossi Group or impair the objectivity of decision-making in executive or shareholder matters." He let that sit for a moment before continuing.

This meeting was called today for one reason: to determine whether Miss Rossi's continued presence on this board, in light of recent public controversies and allegations, constitutes a violation of that policy." A few of the other board members nodded. Frank Dorsey flipped the page in front of him but said nothing.

Frederik turned slightly and faced Isabella's screen directly.

"Miss Rossi," he said, "this is not an attack. I'm sure we can all agree that you have inherited your shares lawfully and you are entitled to m participate as a stakeholder.

However, your involvement in the recent media fallout involving Horvath Holdings, the press conference fallout, and the threats of legal action that your legal team initiated have created a reputational burden on this group." Isabella didn't react immediately.

"I would remind you," Frederik added, "that, unlike Horvath Industries, this group handles sovereign asset m contracts, aviation compliance, and high-stakes intergovernmental partnerships. We cannot afford instability-not in leadership, and not in perception." He tapped the screen again, bringing up a slide showing press coverage.

"You and your husband may believe that your countermeasures were justified. But public perception does not make such distinctions. Headlines tie Rossi Group to scandal, regardless of legal nuance. That is the cost of visibility." He stepped back slightly, giving the table a wider look.

"Therefore," Frederik said, "I move to open formal discussion on a motion to suspend Isabella Rossi from board responsibilities effective immediately, pending review of her conduct and potential reputational impact to Rossi Group contracts." He looked at each member individually.

"This is procedural. It is not punitive. And Miss Rossi will retain her shares and dividends. But the board must preserve stability." He paused and gestured toward the chairman.

"I yield the floor for discussion." 2/3