Chapter 9
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Chapter 9
The air in the CEO’s office at Corestone Real Estate was stifling.
The core executives barely dared to breathe. The bolder ones stole glances at Axel’s grim expression before quickly lowering their heads.
The only sound in the massive office came from the secretary, reading a notice aloud.
“That concludes the matter. Schmidt Group has decided to suspend all partnerships with us, even at the cost of paying heavy penalties.”
The marketing director hesitated before chiming in, “Their stance is firm with no room for negotiation, which means the cash flow for several of our key projects would be significantly impacted.”
The CFO swallowed hard. “Several bank partners have called to inquire. Though they haven’t explicitly stated anything, it doesn’t sound promising.”
“Strategic adjustment?” Axel sneered, not buying the excuse.
He closed his eyes briefly before quickly issuing orders. “Find out what internal changes have happened at Schmidt Group and who pushed the decision.
“Assess the impact on all of our ongoing projects, protect the core ones, and shelve the rest. Get in touch with Mr. Lane from Ironcrest Capital. Mr. Ludwig and I will take him to dinner tonight.”
The secretary reminded him, “Mr. Jaeger, you’ve forgotten that Mr. Ludwig went to Auchendale.”
Axel frowned, inwardly cursing Zachary. For some unknown reason, Zachary had decided to join the team at Auchendale and left him alone to clean up this mess.
Then, a thought crossed his mind. He wondered if this could be a result of Zachary offending someone at Schmidt Group. The timing was too convenient.
Knocking his knuckles against the desk, he announced, “Draft a new announcement. Effectively immediately, Zachary Ludwig is removed from his position as the sales director.”
Thousands of miles away in Auchendale, Zachary-lounging with a beauty in his arms— sneezed hard. His gut tightened as he wondered if Axel had already discovered Cora’s escape.
An hour later, the secretary cautiously knocked on the door of the CEO’s office.
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Axel snapped back to attention from staring blankly at his phone. “Come in.”
The secretary softly reported, “Mr. Jaeger, Mr. Lane said he’s on vacation abroad and won’t be back for at least two weeks…”
Vacation? Great. The same man who once begged him for loans had bolted at the first sight of
trouble.
His expression darkened, and just as he was about to speak, the secretary hurriedly added, ” Also, Mr. Jaeger Senior has demanded your return to the Jaeger residence this afternoon.”
For the first time, a flicker of unease crossed Axel’s expression, and his heart sank.
4:00 pm at the Jaeger residence, the housekeepers led him into the study. He entered just as Paul sank a perfect putt on the indoor green.
Axel submissively called out, “Dad.”
Instead of responding, Paul continued his golf practice in calm and powerful movements. Off to the side, Margaret Jenkins paused in her flower arranging and motioned for the housekeepers to leave.
Once the room was cleared, and only the three of them remained, Paul finally spoke. His voice was calm but carried an invisible weight. “What’s going on with Schmidt Group?”
Still, his eyes remained fixed on the golf balls.
Axel took a sip of tea and feigned nonchalance. “It’s not a big deal. They’re having an internal restructuring and have temporarily suspended our partnership. I’ve taken measures, and the impact is under control.”
He would never show weakness, especially not in front of Paul.
“Under control?” Paul finally turned, anger simmering in his eyes. “You know better than I do how crucial Schmidt Group is to several key projects.
“It’s not the cash flow that worries me-it’s the signal this sends. What will our other partners and banks think?”
Axel dared not breathe heavily as his fingers paled on the tightened grip around the teacup.
“Business is war,” Paul continued, his tone easing slightly but still sounding low and serious. ” Don’t disappoint me, Axel. Remember that you’re not the only child in the Jaeger family.”
Axel’s face paled slightly at that veiled threat. He knew all too well how many people were watching, and they were not just rivals outside the family. The real danger came from his half- siblings.
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If he stumbled, they would tear him apart and devour him like hyenas.
With a pale face, he braced himself to reply, “I’ll find out the cause as soon as possible and have the situation under control.”
“It’s good that you have it under control,” Margaret said, inserting the last flower steadily into the vase. “But Axel, it’s time you settled down.”
Cora’s face flashed in his mind, and he hurriedly interrupted, “Mom, there’s no rush…”
She gently continued, though her tone left no room for argument, “Your dad and I think the Taylors’ daughter is a suitable match. You will meet her tomorrow evening, and I’ll have the assistant send you the address.”
Maisie Taylor was the current bank chairman’s second daughter. The deliberate timing and choice were all too convenient.
Axel knew that this blind date was an arrangement made by his parents to address the crisis.
Margaret’s eyes shone with expectation as she added, “Don’t let me down, Axel.” Swallowing the words in his throat, he nodded with vacant eyes. “Got it.”
