Arrogance of a Billionaire CEO

Chapter 6

He nodded, dismissing her concern with a wave of his hand. “Ruth Alcott doesn’t intimidate me, Mary. If she thinks she can compete with me, then she’ll soon learn otherwise.”

Mary offered a small smile, though the worry in her gaze lingered. “I know you can handle her, David. I just don’t trust her motives.”

David smirked. “Neither do I. But that’s precisely why I’m going to make sure I’m one step ahead.”

With that, Mary left the office, leaving David alone once more. He returned his attention to the documents she’d provided, studying the financial shifts in Alcott Industries. Ruth’s business model was efficient, too streamlined, in fact, for a company of its size. There had to be gaps, small cracks that he could exploit if he could just locate them.

As he continued his research, his phone vibrated, breaking his concentration. He glanced at the screen, surprised to see a message from James.

David, something you should see. Check your email.

Frowning, David opened his laptop and logged into his email. A message from James was waiting in his inbox, accompanied by an attachment. He clicked on it, scanning the contents, his expression darkening as he read.

The document was a set of internal memos from Alcott Industries, apparently leaked by a source within the company. It outlined strategic meetings, Ruth’s plans for expanding her real estate interests, and most intriguing of all is a subtle, but undeniable focus on targeting Blackwood Enterprises. Ruth was making no secret of her desire to compete with him directly.

David’s lips pressed into a thin line as he finished reading. So, she wanted to take him down, did she? He admired her ambition, even if he found it misguided. But if she thought she could go up against him without consequences, she was in for a rude awakening.

He picked up his phone and dialed James’s number. The call connected almost instantly.

“James,” David greeted, his tone even.

“David,” James replied, his voice calm yet attentive. “I thought you’d want to see that. It seems Alcott is making her intentions quite clear.”

“Indeed.” David leaned back in his chair, his gaze steely. “Where did you get this?”

“An anonymous source within her company,” James replied smoothly. “Apparently, not everyone at Alcott Industries is loyal to Ruth.”

David allowed himself a small smile. “Good. Keep that line of communication open. If she’s targeting us, then I want to be ready for every move she makes.”

“Understood,” James replied, his tone steady. “I’ll keep digging, see what else I can find.”

“Make it discreet,” David instructed, his voice cold. “I don’t want her catching wind of this.”

“Of course,” James assured him. “You’ll know everything she plans before she has a chance to act.”

David ended the call, a sense of satisfaction settling over him. Ruth might be determined, but information was power, and he had just gained the upper hand. With this insight, he could anticipate her moves, counteract her strategies, and, ultimately, remind her of the consequences of challenging him.

He returned his focus to the document on his screen, scanning through the memos once more. Ruth’s goals were clear, her ambitions bold, and her strategies impressive revealing her vulnerabilities. Her business depended heavily on a handful of key partners, alliances that were fragile and easily disrupted. If he could sever just one or two of those connections, her entire foundation would be shaken.

As he considered his next move, his mind drifted back to her face during the meeting, the unwavering confidence in her eyes, the way she had refused to yield to him. Most people cowered in his presence, but Ruth met him head-on, her defiance bordering on reckless. It was a quality he both admired and intended to exploit.

But something deeper unsettled him, an unexpected curiosity that lingered despite his efforts to dismiss it. Ruth Alcott was more than a business rival; she was an enigma, someone who had the nerve to stand her ground without fear of the consequences. It was a rare quality, one that intrigued him even as he plotted her downfall.

The soft chime of his phone pulled him from his thoughts. He glanced at the screen to see a new email notification. It was from one of his real estate partners, a message confirming a lunch meeting later in the week. Perfect timing, he thought. The partner had recently worked with Alcott Industries on a smaller project, and David intended to use this meeting to probe for insights into Ruth’s operations.

He closed the email and rose from his desk, stretching briefly before stepping out of his office. The halls were quiet as he walked, his mind racing with strategies and possibilities. He knew he was on the verge of something significant, an opportunity to not only protect his empire but to strengthen it against future threats. And if that meant dismantling Alcott Industries piece by piece, he was more than prepared to do so.

As he made his way to the elevator, Mary appeared around the corner, her eyes lighting up as she spotted him.

“David,” she greeted, falling into step beside him. “Is everything alright?”

He nodded, a faint smile crossing his face. “Everything is progressing exactly as it should, Mary.”

She gave him a curious look, as if sensing the layers of meaning in his words. “Good to hear. And the Alcott situation?”

David’s smile widened, though there was a cold edge to it. “Under control. Let’s just say our friend Ms. Alcott is in for a few surprises.”

Mary’s gaze lingered on him, a hint of satisfaction in her expression. “I never doubted it. Let me know if there’s anything more you need from me.”

“I will,” he replied, stepping into the elevator as the doors slid open. “And Mary, thank you.”

She nodded, her smile softening, though he could see the loyalty and admiration in her eyes. She was one of the few people he trusted, someone who had stood by him through countless battles. He didn’t take that loyalty for granted, and he knew that Mary would support him no matter what lay ahead.

As the elevator descended, David allowed himself a moment of reflection. He had always known that his life was a series of calculated risks, each decision a step toward consolidating his power. But with Ruth, the stakes felt higher, the consequences more unpredictable. She was the first person in years who had dared to question his dominance, and he intended to remind her why no one crossed David Blackwood.

The elevator doors opened, and he stepped into the lobby, his footsteps echoing as he walked toward the exit. The city awaited him, vibrant and chaotic, a reflection of the empire he had built. And somewhere out there, Ruth Alcott was preparing for a battle she could not win.

David’s gaze hardened as he left the building, his mind focused on the days ahead. He was ready for whatever came his way, and he would ensure that Ruth learned the price of challenging him.