Richard Paige: They Chose the Wrong Enemy

004: The Grand Return

[Two years later on…]

A private jet touched down smoothly on a quiet runway just outside New York. Before its engines stopped, three black flashy Maybach rolled toward the aircraft.

Several men and women in business suits stood waiting.

The cabin door opened.

A tall man stepped out.

He wore a perfectly fitted navy blue suit. A silver watch rested neatly on his wrist. Dark sunglasses hid his eyes, while his calm expression revealed nothing.

One by one, the waiting executives lowered their heads.

"Welcome back, Chairman Morgan."

The man gave a small nod.

"It's good to be home."

An elderly executive stepped forward with a tablet. "Chairman, your schedule is full today."

Morgan accepted it. "Anything urgent?"

"Yes. The Sterling Horizon Group has requested an emergency investment meeting."

Morgan's fingers paused for the briefest moment. Then he calmly handed the tablet back. "So soon?"

"They've been requesting this meeting for almost three weeks."

Morgan smiled faintly. "I suppose they're finally feeling the pressure."

The executive blinked.

"You expected this?"

Morgan walked toward the waiting car. "A company can survive on momentum for only so long. When the wrong person leads it, the cracks always appear."

The convoy quietly pulled away.

None of the executives noticed the faint scar hidden beneath Morgan's shirt collar.

None of them knew that two years ago. He had been another man.

Meanwhile, inside Sterling Horizon Group Headquarters. The atmosphere inside the executive boardroom was unusually tense.

Financial reports covered the conference table. Every director wore a worried expression.

"Our overseas sales have dropped again. The eastern expansion is losing money."

"Three investors have already withdrawn. The banks are asking questions."

One report after another painted the same picture. The company's rapid growth had slowed.

Victoria placed the report on the table.

"We can't continue like this."

Daniel remained relaxed. He leaned back confidently. "You're all worrying too much."

Several directors looked toward him with mixed reactions.

Daniel smiled. "I've already solved our biggest problem."

Victoria raised an eyebrow.

"What do you mean?"

Daniel slid a document across the table.

"The Vance Global Group accepted our proposal."

The boardroom instantly fell silent.

One of the directors nearly dropped his pen. "Like the Vance Global Group? The same company worth hundreds of billions?"

Daniel nodded proudly.

"The very one."

Another director couldn't hide his excitement.

"If they invest, our financial problems disappear overnight."

Victoria finally smiled. "I knew choosing you as COO was the right decision."

Daniel chuckled.

"I never disappoint."

Only the company lawyer remained quiet. He slowly adjusted his glasses.

"Chairman Morgan Vance isn't known for making emotional decisions."

Daniel smirked. "He won't refuse; our numbers speak for themselves."

The lawyer looked down at the reports again. For reasons he couldn't explain, panic laced his expression.

Forty minutes later, the elevator doors opened, and footsteps echoed through the executive floor.

The boardroom doors slowly creaked open, and every director immediately stood. Several senior executives entered first.

Then...

Morgan Vance walked inside.

The room instantly became silent, and everyone felt his firm aura. His presence alone commanded attention.

Without mouthing a word, he shook hands with several board members before stopping in front of Daniel.

Daniel smiled warmly.

"Chairman Morgan. It's truly an honor."

Morgan accepted the handshake, wearing an unpredictable expression.

"The pleasure is mine."

Daniel gestured toward the seat prepared at the head of the table.

"Please."

Morgan sat down calmly.

His assistants arranged several folders neatly before him.

Victoria couldn't help observing him. There was something strangely familiar about the man's composure.

Not really about his face, or his voice. Just… the way he quietly observed every person before speaking like someone she once knew.

She frowned slightly, then dismissed the thought that tried creeping in…

Daniel stood and walked toward the large screen.

"Allow me to introduce Sterling Horizon Group's achievements over the past two years."

The presentation began; graphs appeared showing awards, international contracts, expansion projects, and profit charts.

Daniel spoke confidently. "Our company has continued the remarkable foundation established years ago. Our management team has improved operations with a brighter future."

Morgan quietly turned another page inside the report before him. His expression never changed.

Daniel cleared his throat and continued.

"We believe Sterling Horizon Group deserves Vance Global's partnership." He smiled confidently. "Our future together will benefit both companies."

Silence filled the room.

Morgan slowly closed the report and looked directly at Daniel.

"An impressive presentation."

Daniel smiled wider.

"Thank you, Chairman."

Morgan gently folded his hands on the table. "I have a few questions."

Daniel nodded immediately. "Please."

Morgan's calm eyes rested on him.

"The eastern expansion depends on six major suppliers. If two fail during the first quarter… What is your contingency plan?"

Instantly, Daniel's confident smile froze.

"I..."

He hesitated.

One of the directors quietly looked down.

Daniel forced a smile. "We'll... negotiate replacement suppliers."

Morgan simply nodded. "I see." He opened another file.

"My second question."

"According to these reports, your operating costs increased by eleven percent while productivity fell. What specific management decision caused that?"

Daniel's fingers tightened around the presentation remote. A bead of sweat slowly appeared on his forehead.

The room grew quieter.

Morgan calmly turned another page. Then looked up once more with hidden intent.

"I have one final question…”

Within seconds, troubling silence settled over the boardroom.

Daniel straightened his tie and stuttered. "Please…"

Morgan opened another report.

"Your presentation states that Sterling Horizon Group's recovery began with a debt restructuring strategy that became the foundation of its expansion."

"That's correct."

Morgan looked up. "Then explain the three principles behind that strategy."

Daniel forced a beam with shaky hands. “It was… careful budgeting."

Morgan remained silent for a moment.

"And?"

Daniel cleared his throat. "Reducing unnecessary spending."

Several directors exchanged uncertain glances, disappointment etched on their faces.

Morgan waited.

"And the third principle?"

Daniel's feigned smile slowly disappeared. "I..."

His voice faded.

Morgan gently closed the report and schooled him

"The third principle was rebuilding supplier confidence before seeking investor confidence; the entire strategy depended on trust. If suppliers believed in the company again, investors would naturally follow."

The room fell completely silent.

Morgan continued in the same calm, intimidating voice.

"It was a simple idea, but it required discipline. No shortcuts or empty promises."

Daniel stared at him, trying to wipe the hot sweat from his forehead.

Morgan spoke again and pursed his lips."Strange. A man who claims this strategy as his own cannot explain its foundation."

Nobody moved.

The youngest female director slowly lowered her eyes. Another quietly closed his notebook.

Victoria felt uneasy, with goosebumps. The words and calm delivery. Even the way Morgan paused before speaking… Something about him felt familiar.

She looked at him for another moment. Then shook her head almost invisibly.

Impossible.

Richard was gone.

She had spent two years believing that. This man only reminded her of him because both happened to be brilliant in business. That was all; she forced herself to believe

Morgan slid the report back across the table. "I appreciate the presentation."

Daniel forced a smile. "So… Does Sterling Horizon Group meet Vance Global's expectations?"

Morgan huffed and stood. "I've learned enough for today."

Daniel quickly walked beside him with his head tilted in respect.

"I hope we've left a good impression."

Morgan looked at him with quiet composure, sarcasm reeking in his tone. "You've indeed left an impression."

Daniel smiled, taking it as a compliment. "I look forward to working with you."

Morgan extended his hand.

"I'm sure our paths will cross again."

They shook hands.

Neither Daniel nor anyone else in the room realized they had just thanked the very man whose work they had claimed as their own.

Outside the building, Morgan entered the waiting Maybach. His assistant looked over.

"Chairman? Where to now?"

Morgan glanced at the busy streets of New York.

"Westbrook Academy."

The driver nodded.

"Right away, sir."

***

The school day had just ended. Children laughed as they hurried through the front gates.

Parents waited outside.

Morgan remained inside the parked Maybach across the street. His eyes searched quietly.

Then he saw her: Kimberly.

She was taller now.

She carried herself with confidence, smiling as she spoke with two classmates.

For the first time in two years, the hardness in Morgan's eyes softened.

He watched her laugh. A faint smile appeared on his face as he mused. ‘You've grown so much... Little Bean.’

The thought stayed safely inside his heart.

Later that evening, at Vance Global Headquarters. A senior executive entered carrying a folder.

"Chairman. The Sterling Horizon Group is waiting for our decision. They're hoping we'll approve the investment."

Morgan accepted the folder, read the final page, and then closed it.

The executive waited.

"Should I prepare the agreement?"

Morgan walked back to the window. For a long moment, he said nothing.

Finally, he spoke.

"No."

The executive looked surprised. "No, Chairman?"

Morgan's reflection stared back at him from the window glass. "A company reveals its true character when it has no easy way out."

He placed the folder on the desk.

"Let them become desperate first."

The executive nodded.

"Understood."

As the office fell quiet again, Morgan gently stroked his beard. The first move had been made; his opponents didn't even realize the game had begun.