Mr. Villain's Lovely Wife (Izzy) novel Chapter 44

Chapter 44 

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Izzy settled into her chair, her notes neatly arranged in front of her. This wasn’t just a presentation–it was a battle. The board had made it clear they wanted to hear both her and Caler before making any final decisions. She cast a glance at Calen, who was already standing near the projection screen, exuding his usual air of confidence. His presentation would go 

first. 

CEO Weiss gestured for the room to settle, his expression as unreadable as ever. “Calen, the floor is yours.” 

Calen nodded and clicked the remote in his hand. Almost immediately, the screen lit up with a sleek rendering of The Pearl Resort. “Good morning,” he began, his tone professional but firm. “The Pearl Resort is an ambitious project, one that holds the potential to solidity LX’s position as a leader in Macau’s luxury market. My proposal focuses on a streamlined approach to profitability, ensuring quick returns while maintaining the high standards our brand is known for.” 

The first slide outlined the casino–centric vision. Calen highlighted the state–of–the–art gaming facilities, VIP lounges, and exclusive suites that would cater to high rollers. His emphasis was on the immediate revenue potential of the casino, supported by data showing Macau’s reliance on gambling tourism. 

“Our target demographic is clear,” Calen continued, pointing to a chart displaying the spending habits of high–net–worth individuals in the region. “Macau remains the gambling capital of Asia. By prioritizing the casino and its amenities, we can tap into this market effectively. This approach ensures that we generate substantial revenue from the outset, which will then allow us to explore additional expansions, including cultural integrations, at a later stage.” 

Izzy’s lips twitched. She’d expected this. Calen was banking on the board’s desire for fast profits, hoping to delay her vision for cultural integration under the guise of practicality. 

Calen advanced to another slide, showcasing partnerships with luxury brands and exclusive gaming events. “These initiatives will not only attract our target clientele but will also create a ripple effect, bolstering the local economy and reinforcing our position with investors.” 

A few murmurs of agreement rippled through the room, and Izzy couldn’t miss the approving nods from some of the more conservative board members. 

“By focusing on the casino’s rapid completion and immediate functionality,” Calen concluded, “we can secure LX’s place in Macau’s competitive landscape without overextending resources on secondary elements.” 

He stepped back from the screen, his expression confident as he gestured toward the CEO. “Thank you.” 

The room was filled with polite applause, but Izzy noticed a faim hesitation among a few key members. They were intrigued but not entirely convinced. This was her moment to shift the narrative. Everyone in the room had already been given copies of Izzy’s and Calen’s reports before the presentation started. What they needed to present was simply the summary of their proposals. Then, they could later on talk about the details of their proposals when the board members ask questions. 

CEO Weiss turned to Izzy. “Izzy, your turn.” 

She rose, calm and composed, and moved to the front of the room Clicking the remote, she brought up the first slide: a rendering of The Pearl Resort, but this time with the Macau Cultural Center prominently featured. 

“Good monting,” she began. “The Pearl Resort isn’t just a business opportunity. It’s a–efiance for LX to lead in innovation and cultural respect. Macau isn’t just a destination for gamblers it’s a city rich in history and heritage. My proposal integrates these elements into our project, creating an experience that stands apart from anything else in the region.” 

Her next slide showed detailed plans for the cultural center, with sections for traditional art displays, culinary workshops. and live performances. The Macau Cultural Center isn’t an afterthought. It’s a cornerstone. By aligning with the government’s cultural vision, we ensure regulatory approval and demonstrate our commitment to Macau as more than just a market–but as a partner.” 

She clicked again, bringing up data on shifting travel trends. “Our target demographic is changing Luxury travelers today seek more than opulence–they seek authenticity. The cultural center not only fulfills that demand but also strengthens our 

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brand identity, positioning LX as a leader in meaningful luxury 

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Izzy turned to face the room, her gaze sweeping across the board members “Mr. Calen Weiss’s proposal focuses on immediate profits, which I understand. But it’s short–sighted. By prioritizing the casino, we risk alienating a growing segment of travelers and miss the opportunity to build long–term trust with the Macau government and community.” 

spa 

and Her next slide detailed her phased opening plan. “To address investor concerns, I propose opening the wellness dining facilities first. This generates early revenue while we finalize the casino and cultural components. It’s a balanced approach that satisfies all stakeholders.” 

Izzy paused, letting her words sink in. The Pearl Resort isn’t just another project. It’s a legacy. By integrating Macau’s culture with our brand, we create something unforgettable. Something timeless.” 

As she stepped back, the room was quiet. She looked at CEO Weiss who leaned forward, his fingers steepled as he addressed the board. “You’ve heard both proposals. Now, let’s discuss.” 

The board erupted into quiet conversations, weighing the merits of each plan. Izzy returned to her seat, her heart pounding despite her composed exterior Calen sat across from her, his jaw tight, his gaze locked on the table. 

The CEO raised a hand, silencing the chatter. “Before we proceed to a vote, do either of you have anything to add?” 

Calen straightened. “I believe my plan offers the most secure path to success. Focusing on the casino ensures immediate profitability, which will fund future expansions.” 

Izzy leaned forward. “And I believe my plan addresses not only profitability but sustainability. The Pearl Resort isn’t just about now–it’s about the future” 

The CEO nodded, his expression unreadable as he turned to the board. “Then, ladies and gentlemen, please feel free to ask your questions. 

Izzy and Calen then once again moved in front of the boardroom, both wearing confident smiles. 

The CEO gestured toward one of the board members seated at the far end of the table. “Mr. Lund, you may begin Jørgen Lund, one of the senior board members with decades of experience in hospitality, adjusted his glasses and glanced at the documents in front of him. “Miss Rossi,” he began looking up at Izzy, “Your proposal is undoubtedly ambitious. The integration of a cultural center alongside the casino is bold, but bold projects often face challenges in execution. Can you provide a realistic timeline for completion, especially with the phased approach you’ve proposed?” 

Izzy stepped forward, clicking her remote to bring up a detailed Cantt chart on the screen. The chart displayed overlapping phases, color–coded to show the various components of the resort and their completion dates. 

“Thank you, Mr. Lund,” Izzy said. “The phased approach allows us to mitigate delays and maximize efficiency. The wellness. spa and dining facilities will be completed first, within 18 months, with a projected soft opening six months before the casino and cultural center are finalized. This ensures revenue generation begins carly, addressing investor concerns.” 

She pointed to the overlapping phases on the chart. “By running the construction of the spa and dining facilities parallel to the casino’s foundational work, we save significant time. Meanwhile, the cultural center is integrated into the overall timeline, aligning with the final stages of the casino’s completion to ensure we meet regulatory requirements without delays. 

Lund studied the chart, nodding slightly but still skeptical “That’s impressive coordination, but wouldn’t parallel construction increase costs?” 

Izzy smiled. “It could, but we’ve accounted for that. The early revenue generated by the phased opening of the wellness and dining facilities offsets those costs. By the time the casino and cultural center open, we’ll have already established a strong revenue stream to support operations. This phased approach allows us to maintain momentum without overextending 

resources.” 

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Lund leaned back in hivchair, appearing more satisfied, though not entirely convinced. Another board member, Svend Nielsen, spoke up. 

“Miss Rossi, while I appreciate your optimism, isn’t it true that the phased approach inherently risks delays in generating profits? If the casino is the primary revenue driver, wouldn’t opening later hurt our bottom line?” 

Before Izzy could answer, Calen stepped forward. “Exactly my concern, Mr. Nielsen,” he said. “The phased approach sounds appealing, but delaying the casino–a proven moneymaker–could leave us vulnerable. How do you address this, Miss Rossi!” 

Izzy turned to Calen, her expression calm as she clicked to the next slide. “Thank you, Mr. Webs, for raising that point.” She gestured to the new chart showing projected revenue streams. This is where the phased approach’s strength becomes 

evident. 

She pointed to the spa and dining sections of the chart. These facilities cater to a broader market segment–luxury travelers who prioritize wellness and cultural experiences. By opening these first, we attract a demographic that aligns with the government’s cultural priorities, creating goodwill with both regulators and the local community,” 

Clicking again, she highlighted a graph showing the overlap of revenue streams. “The wellness spa and dining facilities alone are projected to generate enough revenue within the first six months to cover 35% of our operational costs. This builds visibility and trust with both the government and investors, showing that LX is committed to sustainability and long–term growth 

Izzy turned to Nielsen directly. “As for the on market trends 

o, its later opening allows us to fine–tune operations b observed during the initial phase. By the time it opens, we’ll have a clearer understanding of guest preferences, ensuring a stronger and more targeted launch. This reduces risks and enhances profitability.” 

Nielsen nodded slowly, his expression thoughtful. “And if there are delays in the cultural center’s completion?” 

Izzy didn’t miss a beat. “We’ve built contingencies into the timeline. The cultural center is designed to be modular, meaning that key elements can open independently if necessary. For example, workshops and exhibits can operate temporarily in existing spaces while the main structure is completed. This ensures that we meet regulatory requirements without compromising the guest experience” 

The board murmured among themselves, clearly impressed by her thoroughness. Calen, however, wasn’t done. 

“Miss Rossi, Calen said, his tone sharp. “Your plan sounds ideal on paper, but given the complexities of local regulations and construction challenges, how do you ensure these overlapping timelines don’t result in chaos? What’s your strategy for maintaining coordination across such a multifaceted project?” 

Izzy clicked to her final slide, a breakdown of her management approach. “Excellent question, Mr. Weiss. The key to any complex project is streamlined communication and accountability. We’ve partnered with a local project management firm with extensive experience navigating Macau’s regulatory landscape. This ensures that each phase is overseen by experts who understand both local and international standards.” 

She turned to the board, her voice steady. “Additionally, we’ve implemented a project management system that allows real- time updates across all teams, ensuring transparency and immediate action on any arising issues Weekly progress reviews and contingency planning are built into the timeline to address potential delays before they become problems.” 

Her gaze swept the room. “This isn’t just a plan. It’s a roadmap. Every element is designed to ensure we not only meet but exceed expectations.” 

The board members exchanged looks, impressed by her confidence and preparation. Calen’s expression tightened, but he said nothing as the CEO leaned forward. 

This is excellent 

ess, CEO Weiss said. “We’ll move to the next round of questions.” 

“Then what about the budget allocated to the cultural center?” en interjected sharply. This was the perfect time to point out Izzy’s mistakes. “Can you justify why it appears to be excessively high!”