Billionaire Substitute

completely lost. But he couldn't show it. "Oh yes, of course. We have indeed taken market fluctuations into acc

rying to detect a flaw. Adrien forced himself to remain calm, to mai

w that I have always supported your projects. But something feels... different this time. I have the

the table, but he forced himself to remain impassive. "I assure you, Bauer, nothing has changed. W

ned wary. Adrien knew he hadn't convinc

bserved, even scrutinized, did not leave him. Bauer wasn't the only one who noticed somethi

emerging from a battlefield. Every muscle in his body

"But I have to tell you... Bauer is

ext few days were going to be even more trying. Doubts were growin

ed with increasingly fragile determination. The large window behind him offered a stunning view of the city

Lucien this time, but a younger, stern-looking man. He introduced himself as Nathan, Vincent's personal assistant. "He

eady seemed impatient. "Hello, Nathan. Yes, I'm ready.

precise and rapid. "We have a meeting with partners from the Asian branch early this afternoon. It is crucial

ded was to draw more attention to his weaknesses. " I understand.

t to sound pushy, but Vincent was always very thorough w

a ball of stress forming in his stomach. "I'm going to do e

around, his scrutinizing gaze falling on Adrien. "And if you need any

ehead. He knew he had to prepare thoroughly for the upcoming meeting. The Asian partners w

e numbers. Everything had become a blur of equations and graphs, but he clung to the idea that if he could master this dat

e, his phone rang. It was Lucien. "Vincent, we have to l

e, trying to mask his stress. "

to hide his anxiety. Lucien glanced absently at hi

ng ready. These numbers are a little

ight. Make sure you stay focused during the meeting. Th

reports and discussing the forecasts as articulately as possible. The Asian partners listened attent

nfident Vincent Delacroix. However, he knew that the slightest mistake could have been catastrophic. He had not

e worn than the others, as if it had been handled often. When he opened it, he found confidential documents relating to questionable financial transactions

spoke of mysterious funds transferred to offshore companies, apparently broken agreements and questionable

ore there was a knock on his office door. It was Natha

preamble. "We received an audit request from a re

f a businessman's worst nightmares, and now he was

ngly," Nathan replied, then added in a lower voice, "and make

with an audit. He rushed through the documents, trying to understand how everything Vincent had hidden could be covered up or expla

he had found, hoping that would be enough to convince them that everything was under control. The process was long and grueling. Auditors examined e