Chapter 332

Reese pulled her car over to the curb, exhaling sharply as she grabbed her phone. First, she called Patrick, quickly filling him in on the warehouse situation and asking him to keep everyone calm and not let things get out of hand.
Then she shot Matthew a message.
[Matthew, I’m heading to BlackOak now. Wait for me, okay? Let’s talk about the Vista Tech partnership when I get there.]
She hit send, started the car again, and turned around, heading straight for BlackOak.
Inside the BlackOak R&D conference room, Matthew lounged back in his chair, fingers drumming absentmindedly on the table. He was trying to figure out how to buy Reese enough time to get her shares from the Meyer family without raising suspicion.
His phone buzzed. The moment he saw Reese’s text, the almost-smile on his lips faded, his eyes going cold. So Bailey was making trouble for her already.
He and Reese had agreed she wouldn’t reveal she was the other lead on the Blade project until she secured her inheritance. If she was coming here in person, Bailey must have really pushed her buttons. The Meyer family had way too much time on their hands.
He quickly sent a message: [Give the Meyer family something to keep them busy. They’re getting restless.]
If Reese’s shares weren’t tied up with them, Matthew would have dealt with the Meyers a long time ago. He wasn’t in the mood to let their antics slide.
As he put his phone away, footsteps echoed outside the door. Matthew looked up just as Bailey and Hank walked in.
Bailey looked smug, briefcase tucked confidently under his arm. Hank was all smiles. They clearly thought the Blade contract was theirs for the taking. Fresh chapters posted on
Matthew’s lips curled in a hint of a smirk. He knew Vista Tech’s setup didn’t stand a chance of running the Blade system, no matter how confident they looked.
“Matthew, sorry to keep you waiting,” Bailey said, striding forward and holding out his hand. “Vista Tech is ready to launch Blade. When can you transfer the system to us?”
Matthew didn’t bother getting up. He glanced at Bailey, his voice cool and even. “Mr. Meyer, have you finished preparing the share transfer agreement for Reese?”
Bailey’s hand hung awkwardly in the air before he pulled it back, the smile slipping from his face. He’d thought Matthew was just making
conversation when he not
it up,
during the contract signing He never expected Matthew would bring it up the moment they met.
He cleared his throat and looked away. “We’re working on it. With so many shares
involved, we need to double-check everything.
“How about we focus on the next steps for the Vista Tech and BlackOak partnership?”
Matthew didn’t answer. He just leaned back, fingers laced together, watching Bailey with an unreadable look and the faintest trace of a smile.
Bailey shifted under Matthew’s
stare, a sense of unease creeping in. He tried to brush it off, pulling a tobi
folder from his briefcase and offering it to Matthew. “Here’s they updated integration data for Blade. We’ve made all the recommended changes. Take a look?”
Matthew didn’t move to take it. He just tipped his head back, studying Bailey with open amusement.
Dylon, standing by, scowled. “Matthew, we have a signed contract. If BlackOak doesn’t cooperate, we could face serious penalties for breach of contract.
“You’re just one of Blade’s project leads. Are you really willing to risk that much, just for Reese? Do you really think you can take the fall if BlackOak loses big because of this?”
Bailey had to admit, Matthew was a genius with Al. But if he wasn’t running Blade, Bailey wouldn’t even bother to remember his name. Now he was sitting here acting like he owned the place.