Chapter 1867: Immutable Grudge

Roxanne, for once, decided to split the profits. Elektra's heart palpitated; she'd considered Roxanne easygoing, easily controlled. This had led her to grant Roxanne significant power within the company, a decision she now regretted. Elektra felt annoyed, but the exponentially larger profits projected for the third phase tempered her anger.

"Let's agree on something," Elektra said. "Investors must recover their costs from the third phase's profits, or we convert those costs to equity shares." Roxanne readily agreed to the cost recovery but refused the equity conversion.

"Elektra, for a successful company, listing shouldn't matter. We don't need funds now," Roxanne stated, a decision made after consulting Lucian. Fury flashed in Elektra's eyes, but she suppressed it. "We'll discuss this at the next shareholder meeting," she replied, then left the research institute.

Driving, Elektra's irritation grew. She saw Lucian's influence on Roxanne's management—a force she couldn't compete with. Her phone rang; it was Christina, a call she'd repeatedly ignored. Before she could decline, several figures blocked her car. She braked hard, narrowly avoiding a collision. "Do you have a death wish?" she snapped.

Immediately, she realized they were after her, surrounding the car and pounding on the doors, demanding she answer the call. Petrified, Elektra heard the leader shout, "You have to answer Ms. Patel's call!" Christina's men.

She had no choice. Although the men ceased shouting, they remained, preventing her departure. Christina's voice was icy. "Elektra, don't assume I'm uninformed. I'm tracking Roxanne and your company's progress from Hawen. Impressive, isn't it? Ignoring my calls is bold. Aren't you afraid I'll tell Lucian something?"

Elektra shuddered. "Ms. Patel, I've been busy. Many things are unsettled," she replied.

"Oh? Right then," Christina said, her voice dripping with control. "Things are running smoothly. You recovered costs in the second phase; it's time to move on the third, isn't it?"

Elektra's lips tightened. She couldn't relinquish her current advantage. "Ms. Patel, consider this company's bright future. It will generate immense profits. If you agree, I'll share half my profits with you," Elektra offered, attempting to buy Christina off.

Christina laughed. "Bribery? What a joke! Money won't silence my resentment, do you understand?"