Chapter 844:
“I’m here for Mr. Brad Morgan,” she repeated evenly. “This concerns the Havenridge cooperation documents. The final decision includes new management clauses, all of which require Mr. Morgan’s signature.”
“Right here,” Brad’s voice came from the balcony. He stepped forward, raising his hand slightly in acknowledgment.
Every head turned. The representative and her team crossed the hall toward him, their footsteps echoing in the stunned silence.
When they reached him, the woman inclined her head, her tone warm with deference. She presented the black document case, its seal gleaming beneath the lights.
“Sir, sorry to have kept you waiting.” Her voice carried across the hall. “This is the main contract for Havenridge Global’s Southeast Arindel VLCC cruise project, along with the supplementary agreement that assigns full project management and module supply to the Morgan Group. Everything has been arranged per your instructions. Please review and sign.”
A low hum rippled through the room, followed by a sharp collective gasp. Conversations died. Glasses stilled. Faces blanched.
The same people who had mocked Brad only minutes earlier — calling him washed-up, outdated, irrelevant — now looked as though the ground had vanished beneath them.
Johnny stood frozen, his confidence crumbling like glass. His pupils constricted as he stared at the ceremonial handover, struggling to process what he was seeing.
“No… no, that’s impossible!” he burst out, his voice cracking. He stumbled forward, his composure unraveling. “We had a deal!” he snapped. “The order was meant for the Reid family! How could it go to Brad? He’s not even in shipbuilding!”
The Havenridge representative tilted her head slightly, adjusting her gold-rimmed glasses. Her expression stayed composed, but her tone carried quiet authority.
“Mr. Reid,” she began evenly, “while we did conduct thorough project discussions with your team, the board decided to appoint a director to manage the ten-billion-dollar order. This director will oversee subcontractors, handle all payments directly, and act as Havenridge’s representative throughout the project.”
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Her gaze never wavered.
“Your company was indeed listed for the hull construction. However, the final partnership list — confirmed and approved by Mr. Morgan — no longer includes Reid Shipworks.”
A brief pause followed before she added, “This decision came after a detailed review. The board determined that your company’s management capacity and resource allocation failed to meet Havenridge’s standards for project execution. Should you have any objections, you may discuss them directly with Mr. Morgan. If he reassesses your qualifications and deems them acceptable, your collaboration may resume.”
“A detailed review? Management capacity?” Johnny’s voice cracked, disbelief cutting through his composure. “Our capabilities are beyond question!”
The words struck him like a blow. He stumbled back, his face pale, his eyes wide with outrage.
“It’s you!” he spat, glaring at Brad.
Brad didn’t even glance his way. He lifted the black document case and handed it to his assistant with effortless composure, as if it contained nothing more than a stack of routine reports rather than a ten-billion-dollar contract.
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