Mr. Villain's Lovely Wife

Chapter 198
2 Days Later
"The meeting this time is going to be at nine in the morning, but we got intel that everyone will arrive before that," Anna said as
she walked beside Izzy down the corridor. She carried a slim folder, flipping it open as they approached the elevator.
Izzy nodded but didn't say anything. Her thoughts were focused ahead. This would be her first board meeting since inheriting her
grandfather's shares-enough to make her the majority shareholder of the Rossi Group. She had known this day would come, but
not this fast.
Anna kept talking, "You'll be sitting at the head today. We already had the nameplate changed."
Izzy's jaw tightened slightly. She didn't stop walking.
Anna continued. "Here's a quick rundown of who you'll be dealing with."
She handed over a single sheet. Izzy glanced at it.
"Gregory Vasili is the one to keep an eye on. You've met him briefly a tall, older man, who mostly stays quiet unless provoked.
He was your grandfather's closest rival, and he holds just under 21% of the shares. Enough to be a pain if he wants
10."
Izzy's eyes scanned the page. "Anything I should know?"
Anna nodded. "His grandson, Frederik Vasili, is being groomed to take over his seat. He's sharp, careful, and has been showing
up to more meetings over the past year. Word is Gregory's pushing to get him on the board by the end of the fiscal year. They're
old money. Conservative. Not fans of sudden changes-or women taking the lead."
Izzy said nothing. She had met Frederik a lot of times now and knew very well that the man was scheming and someone she
disliked.
Anna turned the page. "Then you've got Marla DuPont. French. CEO of a pharmaceutical chain in Paris. She owns 9%. Has two
lawsuits pending over her company's lab practices. She denies everything, but don't let the red lipstick fool you-she's
dangerous."

Izzy gave a short nod as the elevator dinged. She was familiar with Marla, of course. She'd met the woman in the past. Although

it was just a few minutes, she still remembered the woman's signature blond hair and red lipstick.
"On the American side," Anna continued as they stepped inside, "you've got two- Frank Dorsey and Linda Keating. They're both
from Boston. Frank controls a portion of the East Coast logistics contract. He's a loudmouth. Likes to talk over people. Linda
pretends to be neutral but usually votes with Gregory."
"Anyone on my side?" Izzy asked, pressing the button.
“A few,” Anna said, glancing at her notes again. “Leo Marchenko. Russian. Used to be close with your father. Quiet, but if you
show him you've done your homework, he'll back you. Also-Victor Jin. He's Korean and based in Berlin. He came in last year
when the company tried to expand to Germany. He's new but loyal. For now."
Izzy leaned against the elevator wall, arms crossed.
Anna looked at her. "You'll be fine. But be ready for Gregory to push back. He's been quiet since your grandfather passed, but
he's not irrelevant. Ian Joseph Morcant only got the CEO seat because Gregory backed him. Don't forget that." "I'm not giving
him anything," Izzy said as she looked at Anna. Her secretary had been briefed by Lawyer Alcaraz about everything and knew
very well what Izzy needed to be mindful of since she decided to join this meeting. She could confidently say the lawyer did an
excellent job of giving Anna all the information she needed.
Anna didn't respond. Despite her controlled expression, Izzy could clearly see that she was nervous. Still, Izzy smiled.
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When the elevator doors opened, she immediately saw the hallway that was already lined with assistants and staff who were
busy pretending that they were working. Many are aware that Izzy would visit the company today and were curious about the
largest shareholder of Rossi Group.

Izzy stepped out first, her heels quiet on the polished floor.
Anna followed, "Last thing," she added in a low voice, "don't let Dorsey bait you. He's going to say something"
Izzy stopped at the boardroom door. She looked at Anna. "Then he'd better be ready when I answer."

Izzy pushed the boardroom door open and stepped inside. The room was already full. Everyone was seated, the low hum of
conversation replaced by silence the moment she walked in. Eyes turned to her.
Izzy smiled. The meeting was set at nine, and it was clearly still eight forty. Yet, everyone was already here. She chose not to
overthink things and looked at everyone.
At the head of the table sat lan Joseph Morcant, the current CEO. He stood up as soon as he saw her. This man should be thirty
years old this year, yet he was already the CEO of a multimillion-dollar company. Impressive, Izzy thought.
He wore a well-cut navy suit, the collar of his shirt pressed perfectly under a silver tie. His round glasses gave him a scholarly
look, but his posture was relaxed and open. There was something clean-cut about him, as if he belonged in both a boardroom
and a university lecture hall.
lan stepped away from his seat and approached her, extending his hand. Izzy shook it.
"Ms. Rossi!" he said, smiling as he looked at her. "It's good to finally meet you. While this is our official meeting, I've heard your
name plenty of times."
Izzy returned a faint smile. "I'm sure you have. It's nice to meet you too, Mr. Morcant."
"I've followed the company long enough to know your grandfather's legacy," lan said, releasing her hand. "You've got large shoes
to fill, but from what I hear, you won't have much trouble."
"I'll try to live up to the name," she replied.
lan gestured to the chair to his immediate right. "You'll be sitting here today."
Izzy gave a short nod and moved to the seat. As she sat down, her eyes flicked across the table. Small gold name plaques were
placed in front of each member. Anna had mentioned them-Marla DuPont, with her striking hair and unreadable expression, sat
three seats down. Linda Keating sat beside her, already tapping on her tablet. Frank Dorsey leaned back with his chair slightly
tipped, arms folded, watching Izzy.

Then her gaze landed on the man sitting directly opposite lan-at the far end of the table.
Gregory Vasili.
His posture was rigid, hands resting on his cane, which he held across his knees. His suit was dark and perfectly tailored.
Despite his age, he looked firm and fully alert. His hair was silver, combed back with precision.
Deep lines carved his face, but his pale blue eyes were sharp, and calculating. Unlike others in the room, he didn't smile or nod.
He simply watched her. There was something unspoken in his stillness-like a man who had seen too much and forgotten
nothing.
Before Izzy could dwell on it further, lan returned to his seat and cleared his throat. He placed both hands on the table.
"Since everyone is here, let's begin."