Hackett mulled it over for a moment, then gently reminded him, "Mr. Wainwright, ourpany''s Southside project is underway right now and requires a significant cash flow. I''m afraid we''ll need to allocate that five billion to it."
Magnus shot him a frosty nce. "Do I need your permission to move five billion dors now?"
Hackett broke out in a cold sweat at that word—"permission."
He scrambled to exin, "It''s not that we can''te up with the money, sir, it''s just that the Southside development district-"
Magnus''s patience had been thintely, and his temper even thinner.
"I''m your boss. Your job as my subordinate is to solve problems, not create them. Understand?"
Hackett nodded hastily. "Understood, Mr. Wainwright. When do you need the funds made avable?"
Magnus drummed his fingers twice on the desk, still holding his phone. "This week."
"Of course, I''ll get on it right away."
After Hackett hurried out, Lean couldn''t help but ask, "Mr. Wainwright, may I ask what the funds are for?"
This wasn''t some petty sum, after all. The Southside development was one of Wainwright Holdings'' key investments this year. For Magnus to divert such arge chunk of liquid capital-well, it had to be something serious.
Lean had been with Magnus for years. He was more than an assistant; he was trusted.
Magnus''s voice carried a barely perceptible note of irritation. "The Vaughan Group''s global venture is running short on cash. Isadora will be here in a few days to ask me for help."
He let out a cold chuckle. "Fine, let here and beg a little. If she apologizes and promises to cut out the drama, I''ll fund her family''s project."
Lean blinked in surprise. So this was all about Miss Isadora.
Magnus and Isadora had been together five years. Isadora had never given him the silent treatment for more than a week, and now it was almost two. Things really had gotten serious.
Magnus sneered, "Tell me, are all women like this? ying breakup games, blocking numbers, all those push-and-pull tricks just to get a reaction out of a man."
Last night, Isadora hadn''te to pick him up from the club like she usually did. But Magnus figured it was just another one of her high-level tactics to get his attention or force him topromise.
Lean couldn''t help thinking: This isn''t drama. What woman could stand her fiancé constantly favoring someone else? Isadora had put up with it for long enough.
Of course, there was no way he''d actually say that out loud.
He gave a nervousugh and said carefully, “Honestly, I don''t think Miss Vaughan is the dramatic type."
"Really?" Magnus''s eyes narrowed. "She''s got quite the tempertely. She even said she wants to call off the engagement. She''s nothing like the gentle woman she used to be."
Lean hesitated before asking, "Mr. Wainwright, do you really want to marry Miss Isadora?"
Magnus''s voice was icy. "Did I ever tell you I wanted to break up?"
Lean rubbed the back of his head, uncertain.
"It''s just... everyone thinks you treat Ms. Harrison better than Miss Vaughan. Even the staff are betting you''ll end up marrying Elise."
Magnus''s gaze hardened. "Elise is gentle and fragile. With her health the way it is, I''m responsible for her."
"And Miss Vaughan?" Lean ventured.
"She''s my fiancée. If I didn''t care about her, why would I marry her?" Magnus
replied tly. "But when she acts out, it really gets on my nerves."
Magnus clearly didn''t want to continue the conversation. He had no interest in dealing with emotional outbursts. For him, what mattered most in a girlfriend-or a wife-was stability, empathy, and understanding.
If Isadora kept acting this way... he might just let her go.
"Remember," he said, "if shees looking for me in the next few days, send her straight up to my office."
"Oh, and has the Northmarch bridal designer arrived yet?"
"I thought you canceled that appointment, sir?"
Magnus gave a cold smile. “Lean, just because I canceled once doesn''t mean you shouldn''t reschedule. Do I have to spell out everything for you?"
Lean could only nod, speechless.