Chapter 345

Victoria was mid-conversation with Nathaniel when the call came through. She sat in the plush private dining room of The Grandeur, surrounded by Eleanor, Beatrice, and their entourage, awaiting their meal.

Eleanor noticed the sudden pallor that washed over Victoria's face as she ended the call. "What happened?" she demanded. "What did Nathaniel say?"

Victoria's fingers tightened around her phone. "He's terminating our partnership with YodaVision. And demanding compensation for reputational damages."

Gasps echoed around the table - from Beatrice, Genevieve, and the others.

Genevieve slammed her palm on the table. "We issued a proper apology! That scheming witch Isabella promised this would blow over if you just spoke to Nathaniel!"

Eleanor's expression turned glacial as realization dawned. "Isabella orchestrated this."

Genevieve blinked. "What?"

Victoria's voice was hollow. "She wanted to sabotage our autonomous vehicle launch by destroying the YodaVision partnership."

The implications hit like a freight train. In the competitive autonomous vehicle market, a single misstep could cripple their product's viability. Finding another partner with YodaVision's technological edge would be nearly impossible - and prohibitively expensive.

Legal battles would drain resources while competitors surged ahead. The potential losses were catastrophic.

Genevieve looked like she'd been struck. None of them had anticipated this nuclear option - least of all Victoria, who'd naively believed an apology would suffice.

"He can't do this!" Genevieve cried. "We have to stop him!"

Beatrice, ever pragmatic, suggested, "Re-negotiate. Increase compensation. Businessmen never turn down profit."

Victoria remained silent. The unspoken truth hung heavy - Nathaniel was willing to absorb financial losses to punish them on Isabella's behalf. That revelation stung more than the business implications.

Eleanor analyzed coldly: "Legal proceedings would be protracted. Victory isn't guaranteed for them."

Genevieve brightened. "Exactly! If they can't win in court-"

"But discovery alone would delay our timeline," Victoria countered. "And if they prevail? We'd miss the entire product cycle."

The table fell silent. Even Diana looked shaken. "Isabella plays the meek lamb so well. I never suspected she had this kind of ruthlessness."

The bitter truth settled over them - Alexander had long chosen his side. They'd underestimated Isabella, assuming her powerless. Now she'd struck where it hurt most.

Eleanor's gaze locked onto Victoria. "You need to speak with Alexander."

The unspoken truth lingered - their only hope lay in the man who'd already walked away.