Chapter 167 Chapter 167
“I don't care about status right now. I'd rather lower myself and be at a temporary ‘disadvantage’ than give Caroline the chance to shine.”
Her eyes sparkled with pure malice.
“If that's the role she wants... then that's the role I'm going to take away from her.”
“But, Claire...”
“Say no more, Linda.” Claire lifted her chin arrogantly. “It's decided. Let's go inside and take what's mine.”
On the other hand, Kleber Meirelles did not stay long. He said goodbye shortly after Caroline left.
Inside the private elevator, the silence was broken by his assistant.
“Director, with all due respect... you didn't need to come in person today. Why did you bother?”
Kleber smiled, an enigmatic smile, and did not answer the question directly.
Instead, he replied with another question: “What did you think of Caroline?”
“Huh?” The assistant blinked in surprise but answered with professional honesty. “She's beautiful. Stunning, actually. The third female character requires ‘traffic-stopping beauty,’ and her appearance fits that description perfectly.”
Kleber nodded, satisfied. “I agree. When I saw her walk in, I felt like the character had jumped off the pages of the script and stood in front of me.”
He leaned against the mirrored wall of the elevator.
“The truth is, I came here today to return a favor to someone. I didn't expect such a pleasant surprise.”
Kleber chuckled softly.
The assistant was confused. “Director, you mean you chose Caroline just because you owed a favor?”
“Initially? Yes, that was the plan,” Kleber admitted, rubbing his chin as his eyes sparkled with cunning. “But now... I realize that I'm the one who has the most to gain from this. Hahaha...”
The assistant was speechless.
Why was the renowned director smiling like a fox that had just broken into a chicken coop? His expression was that of someone who had just won the lottery without buying a ticket.
Wolf Group Headquarters.
Presidential Office.
“President Wolf, I have updates. Ms. Caroline's audition was an absolute success. Director Meirelles called personally. He said not to worry, that he will take good care of her on set.
Bratt paused, smiling. ”He also emphasized that he is extremely pleased with her and thanked you for ‘recommending’ such a perfect actress for the role.
Behind the imposing desk, the man stopped signing documents. Nicholas looked up slowly, revealing his sculpted, impassive face.
“He said he's satisfied?” Nicholas repeated, his voice deep.
“Yes,” Bratt confirmed. “He said Miss Ford is the exact embodiment of the third lead he's been looking for for months.”
Nicholas was silent for a moment, processing the information. A rare and genuine glimmer of pride crossed his eyes.
“In that case... he's not doing me a favor,” Nicholas murmured with a slight smile. “In fact, it seems I did him a favor by introducing her.”
Bratt blinked, stunned by his boss's logic. “Well... seen from that angle...”
“Very well. You may leave.” Nicholas waved his hand, dismissing him.
“Excuse me, President.”
As soon as the door closed, the cold CEO mask fell away.
Nicholas pushed the stack of million-dollar contracts aside and picked up his personal cell phone. He hesitated for a second, his fingers hovering over the screen, before typing:
\[Is your hearing over?\]
Almost instantly, the phone vibrated in his hand.
Caroline had replied.
As he read her message—inviting him to lunch—Nicholas's smile widened. The usual coldness of his office seemed to have disappeared.
He pressed the intercom button.
“Bratt, come back here.”
Seconds later, the assistant reappeared. “Yes, President?”
“Check my schedule for the rest of the day.”
Bratt quickly consulted his tablet. “Chairman, you have a business lunch scheduled with the CEO of the Central Bank in twenty minutes. Later, at 4 p.m., you have a strategic golf game with the Director of Laser Tech. The evening is free at the moment.”
Nicholas didn't even blink. “Cancel the lunch with the bank.”
“What?” Bratt gasped, breaking out of his professional demeanor. “Mr. President, you want to cancel with the CEO of the Bank? That meeting was scheduled two weeks ago. There's a billion-dollar project that depends on this loan... It wouldn't be appropriate to cancel at the last minute.”
“Postpone it until tomorrow,” Nicholas ordered, already getting up and grabbing his jacket.
He glanced at his cell phone once more, a smile still playing on his lips. “Tell the executive that a matter of extreme importance and urgency has come up that requires my personal attention at noon today.”
“Yes, President Wolf.”
Seeing that his boss had already made up his mind and was practically running for the door, Bratt swallowed his arguments.
There was nothing he could do.
Bratt sighed inwardly. President Wolf, the legendary workaholic, the man of strict principles who was never a minute late... had changed dramatically.
Since he got married, the “Wolf” seemed to have been tamed. Or rather, he had found a new priority.
In all his years of service, Bratt had never seen Nicholas Wolf trade a billion-dollar contract for lunch. But apparently, to have lunch with his wife, he would cancel even a meeting with the Pope.
Here is the edited version, adjusted to the commercial, engaging, and sophisticated style of webnovels.
I focused on Nicholas' duality: the ruthless businessman who destroys his enemies (the Ford family) and the inexperienced, devoted husband who asks his assistant for love advice.
President Wolf really was more relaxed. The perpetual tension he carried on his shoulders seemed to have dissipated.
No... that didn't happen “since he came back.” It happened after the wedding.
Bratt, observant as ever, knew exactly why. The sudden change of plans and the cancellation of a billion-dollar meeting had a first and last name: Caroline Wolf.
He only acted so impulsively when it came to the young lady.
“By the way...” Nicholas stopped near the door, his expression suddenly hardening.
“How is that matter progressing? The acquisition of the Ford family mansion.
”President Wolf, are you referring to the former Ford residence?
“Yes.
Bratt straightened his posture, adopting a professional and cold tone.
”Almost everything has been settled. I sent representatives to negotiate, offering above market value, but the Ford family refused. They claimed that it is their ancestral home and that they are not willing to sell, no matter the price.
Bratt paused, a cunning gleam in his eyes.
"As the President instructed that I could use ‘other means’ if diplomacy failed... I caused some strategic financial problems for Marcus Ford. His company is facing a sudden liquidity crisis. I believe that in a few days, he will have no choice but to sell the house to cover the losses and save his own skin.
“Hmm. You did well.
Nicholas narrowed his eyes, a dangerous aura emanating from him.
”Remember: whatever it takes. I want the deed to that mansion on my desk.