Isabella had always prided herself on her ability to stay calm under pressure. But the news of Vanguard's sudden shift had shaken her in a way she hadn't expected.
She was sitting at her desk, reviewing the details of the deal she had just secured, when Claire walked in, looking more nervous than usual.
"Isabella… you might want to see this."
Claire handed her a tablet, and Isabella's stomach dropped as she read the headline.
BLACKWOOD ENTERPRISES ANNOUNCES NEW MERGER WITH GLOBAL SHIPPING NETWORK.
The Global Shipping Network was Vanguard's largest competitor. Alexander Blackwood hadn't just recovered from the loss—he'd turned it into a triumph. He'd taken a devastating blow and, within a matter of days, had come back stronger than ever.
Her phone buzzed with a message from Ethan Reed:
Ethan Reed: Looks like you've given him a reason to fight back. Good luck.
Isabella's lips tightened. She wasn't about to be the one left in the dust. She had won the Vanguard deal, but she had also underestimated just how far Alexander was willing to go to win.
She stood up abruptly, pacing the room, her mind working quickly. He had just one-upped her—again. But what he didn't know was that she had already anticipated this move.
Blackwood Enterprises – Alexander's Office
Alexander leaned back in his chair, fingers steepled in front of him, staring out at the city below. The rush of victory from securing the Global Shipping Network deal still buzzed in his veins. But there was no time for celebration.
He had a sense that something wasn't quite right. He had shattered Isabella Carter's victory, but he couldn't shake the feeling that she was planning something else.
His phone buzzed. A message from Ethan Reed.
Ethan Reed: You've got her rattled. She's looking for her next move. Don't underestimate her.
Alexander smiled to himself. He didn't underestimate her. In fact, he respected her more than he had any other competitor.
But respect didn't mean he was going to let her win.
He straightened, dialing the number of his assistant.
"I need all the details on Carter Consulting's upcoming ventures," he said. "And I want to know everything about Isabella Carter's personal connections."
He didn't care if it was dirty—if she wanted to make it personal, so be it.
This wasn't just business anymore.
This was war.
Later That Night – Carter Consulting
Isabella paced around her office, her mind working a mile a minute. She had seen the announcement of Blackwood's merger and knew immediately that she had lost the upper hand—at least for now.
But she wasn't one to stay down for long. She needed to make a move—something that would catch Alexander off guard, something that would make him second-guess his next play.
Her phone buzzed again. This time, it was a text from Claire.
Claire: There's been a leak. Blackwood is getting intel on your upcoming projects. You need to act fast.
Isabella's blood ran cold. So he wasn't just playing the game—he was trying to get inside her mind.
Her fingers flew over her phone's screen, tapping out a message to one of her most trusted allies, Jacob Lawson, a former Blackwood employee who had defected to her side.
Isabella: I need you to get me everything on Blackwood's next big move. I need to know who his sources are and how deep the leaks go.
She dropped the phone on her desk, glancing at the clock. It was nearly midnight, but she wasn't about to let exhaustion get the best of her.
She had a reputation to uphold. And if Alexander Blackwood wanted to make this personal, then so be it.
She was done playing by the rules.
Tomorrow, she would make him regret ever crossing her.