Chapter 104

Chapter 104

Raymond didn't dare refuse and could only nod in agreement: "Okay, I'll do as Mr. Brown says."

Back at the project base, William had Chase take Raymond to record his statement, while also arranging for security personnel to watch Raymond to prevent him from escaping or colluding with others.

Ophelia looked at William and couldn't help saying, "So it really is Finnian. He really can't wait to bring you down."

"He's been ambitious for so many years. This time, he must think he's found an opportunity and wants to succeed in one go." William smiled, a hint of disdain in his eyes. But he is too impatient. His methods aren’t clever enough, and there are flaws everywhere."What do we do next? Hand the evidence directly to the board?" Ophelia asked.

No rush, William said, shaking his head. "Since he dares to do this, he must have backup plans. Let's stay calm for now, collect complete evidence, and wait for him to show all his cards. Then we'll catch him in one sweep and leave him no chance to recover."

Ophelia understood what he meant: "You want to lure the snake out of its hole?"

"Something like that." William smiled and pinched her cheek. "I want to see what other tricks he can pull."

Ophelia looked at his confident demeanor and felt reassured: "So we just wait for his next move?"

William nodded. "But we can't just sit and wait. The project can't stay on hold. Get the qualified components shipped over as soon as possible, and let's push the project forward. Don't let his schemes affect our progress."

"Also, Keep gathering and putting the evidence in order, especially the communication records between Finnian and Raymond, and the financial transactions. These are key, we can't miss anything."
"Okay." Ophelia agreed and immediately took out her computer to start working.

The qualified components were rush-shipped by an old friend of William's from Europe and arrived at the project base in three days.

The foreman led the workers in unloading overnight. Forklifts rumbled back and forth between the warehouse and construction site, with lights blazing until late at night.

Early the next morning, Ophelia went to the construction site with William. From a distance, she could see workers already busy at their tasks—some installing components, others checking circuits, welding sparks flying up and falling, a scene of bustling activity.

"Can we make up the lost time?" Ophelia asked William beside her.

"Pretty much. This batch of components is of even better quality than before, and the workers are efficient. At most, we'll be delayed a week." William's eyes swept over the construction site, his tone confident. "But this week's gap is just the right opportunity to leave for Finnian."

Ophelia raised an eyebrow: "What are you plotting now?"

"Give him some bait, make him think there's an opening." William smiled and took out his phone to message Chase. "Tell Gregory to spread the word that this emergency shipment of components cost too much, the project is seriously over budget, and we’re almost out of funds."
"Also, have him contact those two small partners we worked with before and tell them to hold off on further cooperation for now. Say they're watching how the project goes, create the illusion of investors pulling out."

Ophelia watched him lay out his strategy skillfully and couldn't help commenting: "Isn't this too obvious?"

"To deal with someone like Finnian, you have to be better at scheming than he is." William put away his phone and wrapped his arm around her shoulder. "He must be desperate to know what's happening here. He won't doubt the bad news we're feeding him."

Sure enough, that afternoon, Chase sent a message saying Finnian's people were already asking Gregory about the project situation. Gregory had exaggerated the fake news as William instructed.

William received Chase's feedback while having dinner with Ophelia.

"The fish has taken the bait." William put down his phone, a calculating smile playing on his lips. "Chase says after Finnian saw the interview, he slammed the table on the spot and said he wanted to press the advantage."

Ophelia took a sip of red wine, a hint of admiration in her eyes: "You really have him figured out completely."

"His ambition is his weakness." William speared a piece of steak for her. "He's been hoping for my downfall for so many years. Now that he sees me in trouble, how could he pass up this opportunity?"

"But we need to be prepared too. He's definitely going to make a big move next." William's tone shifted, becoming serious. "How's the evidence collection going? Do we have everything on the financial transactions and communication records between Finnian and Raymond?"

"All set." Ophelia nodded, taking out her tablet and opening a folder. "Raymond's statement was recorded three times, consistent each time. Plus, there are the call recordings he provided with Finnian, mentioning specific benefits and plans, all solid evidence."

"The bank also confirmed that Finnian did transfer five million dollars to Raymond before the component supply. Although it was noted as payment for goods, the timing and amount match up perfectly, clearly a kickback."

William flipped through a few pages and nodded with satisfaction: "Good. Now we just wait for him to make his move. The bigger his action, the stronger our hand."

Just as he finished speaking, Ophelia's phone rang. It was the project accountant.

"Ms. Blake, several partners just sent inquiry letters saying they saw the media reports and want to confirm whether the project really has a broken funding chain, and asking if we can deliver on time." The accountant's voice carried a hint of anxiety.

"Got it. Tell them not to worry, we'll respond soon." Ophelia hung up and looked at William. "The partners are all alarmed."

"As expected." William wasn't surprised. "Finnian must have spread the fake news to the partners, trying to make them lose confidence in me and sabotage the project."

"Should we respond now?" Ophelia asked.

"No rush, let them wait a day," William said. "This will make Finnian think his plan is working and encourage him to be bolder."

Ophelia nodded without saying more, but couldn't help thinking how the scheming and deception in business was absolutely ruthless.

William pulled her into his arms and kissed her forehead: "To deal with people like this, you have to use some tactics, or they'll think we're easy targets."

His kiss carried a burning heat. Ophelia's cheeks instantly flushed, and her heartbeat quickened.

William looked at her reddening cheeks, his eyes darkening as his kiss moved downward to her lips.

Ophelia closed her eyes, responding to his kiss, her hands unconsciously wrapping around his neck.

The temperature in the room rose higher and higher as they became entangled, leaving all schemes and plots behind, with only each other remaining.

After their passion subsided, Ophelia leaned against William, catching her breath: "Aren't you afraid Finnian won't take the bait?"

"He definitely will." William stroked her hair, his tone confident. "He wants to win too badly. Seeing me in trouble, he can't possibly pass up this opportunity."