The Billionaire's True Heiress From Fake Jewel to Real Crown novel Chapter 723

The dissenting executive choked on his words, instantly silenced.

Latham continued, his voice echoing with authority, "However, we haven't hit a dead end yet. I need everyone at their absolute best."

"We're putting everything on the line. Make or break, it all comes down to tomorrow!"

Latham was a master at manipulating the room and rallying morale.

At the very least, the suffocating gloom had lifted from the boardroom.

The executive who had spoken out against him wisely kept his mouth shut.

Pushing the issue further would only expose his ulterior motives.

Despite his current predicament, Latham was a ruthless tactician.

Anyone harboring thoughts of mutiny knew better than to show their hand right now.

Latham worked through the night alongside his team to compile the reports, catching a mere few hours of sleep before rushing to the airport.

He flew straight to Cabinda and hailed a cab directly to the Vertex International headquarters.

Knowing the corporate offices weren't open yet, he booked a nearby hotel room, freshened up his suit, and grabbed a quick coffee and a plate of eggs.

Projecting an air of absolute confidence, Latham marched into Vertex and was finally face-to-face with the formidable CEO.

Seeing Dane again, a heavy sense of inferiority washed over Latham.

During their last encounter, he had still held the title of Claire's adoptive father and their relationship hadn't completely shattered.

Even then, Dane had barely given his partnership proposals the time of day.

This time around, Latham felt like he was walking on a tightrope without a net.

"Have a seat, Latham." Dane's tone was cordial, yet the sheer dominance rolling off him was suffocating.

In terms of sheer presence, Latham was hopelessly outmatched.

He slid the Westside Heights Project files across the mahogany desk, carefully breaking down the logistics.

Dane skimmed through the documents but offered no immediate reaction.

His expression was an impenetrable mask—the undeniable mark of an heir raised in high society.

Under any other circumstance, Latham would have deeply admired the young billionaire.

"Your adoptive father is in the building. The board still needs to vote on the acquisition, though."

Realizing she had forgotten to call him back last night, Claire cut straight to the chase: "I only pointed him in your direction because the Westside Heights Project actually has profit potential."

"Don't do him any favors on my account. Latham doesn't mean a thing to me."

Her ruthless honesty took Dane slightly by surprise.

"I assumed you called because you felt a lingering sense of familial duty."

Having spent a considerable amount of time in Apex, Dane had seen it all.

He was intimately familiar with the toxic dynamics of the James family.

Their instinct was always to chase wealth and flee from liability.

A ruthless businessman like Latham worshipped nothing but the bottom line.

When an adoptive daughter like Claire lost her utility, the fact that he even maintained a facade of civility was a miracle.

But the tides had certainly turned now.