Chapter 145

The robotic voice on the phone made Alexander Roland's temple throb.

His knuckles turned white as he clenched the fountain pen.

KL Design Group now had its lifeline in CH's grip, with no room for negotiation.

"CH is willing to supply raw materials," Alexander said, his voice icy. "On the condition of a ninety-ten profit split."

"Ninety-ten?" Edward Roland slammed the table and stood. "They might as well rob a bank!"

Alexander gave a bitter smile. "We're the ones begging them now."

Dylan Orlando nearly spat out his coffee in the office.

He stole a glance at Evelyn Roland, who was calmly signing contracts. The woman played ruthless.

"Deal." Evelyn hung up the phone, her pen slashing a sharp stroke across the document.

As her secretary hurried out with the files, she almost collided with Dylan, who was eavesdropping.

"Boss," Dylan whispered, "are you trying to bankrupt the Rolands?"

Evelyn twirled her pen. "This is just the beginning."

Her lips curled into a dangerous smile as she stared at KL's stock chart on her screen.

At the Roland estate, Isabella Langley massaged Edward's shoulders.

"Don't be upset, Dad. If it weren't for Mr. Valdemar's intervention, CH wouldn't even offer us ten percent."

Her fingers trembled slightly, unable to hide the excitement in her eyes.

Alexander watched coldly. "Starting tomorrow, you'll work at the branch office as a sales assistant."

"Brother! I have an MBA from Harvard!" Isabella shot up from her seat.

"Then prove it." Alexander tossed a stack of reports at her. "I want an analysis on these client profiles by tomorrow."

Isabella stormed to her room and slammed the door.

She pulled out her phone to call Sebastian Valdemar but hung up before the call connected.

The mirror reflected her twisted expression.

"Evelyn Roland..." The name hissed through her clenched teeth.

Meanwhile, the lights on CH's top floor burned through the night.

Evelyn stood before the floor-to-ceiling window, the city's glittering skyline sprawled beneath her.

Dylan entered with an update. "We found out Isabella's been secretly meeting with Valdemar's people."

"Let her walk into a trap," Evelyn said without turning. "Feed her that failed project in the southern district."

The pen spun coldly between her fingers—like a hunter setting the snare.