Family on Their Knees Heart Turned to Ice novel Chapter 821

Nathan Cole leaned back, studying her. "So, after all these years, how does it feel to finally be back where you belong, running your own empire?"

Lillian Mercer smiled softly. "A lot better than being married to Sebastian Blake."

Nathan burst into a loud, booming laugh. "That has to be the best answer I've heard all day. Speaking of your ex, I have to be honest. The official collaboration they pushed on us? It's been an absolute joke from day one.

"Before all this, the media acted like Bella Ward was the second coming of tech innovation. They hyped her up with smart home appliances, smartphones, and even autonomous vehicles. But now that we're facing actual industry challenges? After sitting through countless meetings with her company, the truth is glaringly obvious. She doesn't know what she's doing. Sebastian took a massive loss on this one.

"I'm already drafting the exit strategy to pull our investments from this project. Whatever the financial hit is, I'll take it. I refuse to drag this out any longer. The more time we waste with them, the more money we bleed."

Lillian kept her eyes on the road ahead. Her career was thriving, and she was in an exceptionally good mood. Hearing Nathan vent only added to her satisfaction.

"What's the main issue?" she asked casually. "Is the partnership failing?"

"It's the lack of the Li Algorithm. Progress is crawling. That knockoff algorithm Bella dragged in from overseas is practically useless. Sebastian has approached me privately multiple times, demanding to use your algorithm. He annoyed me so much that I finally gave it to him straight—I don't have the authorization, and I can't give him the Li Algorithm.

"He was furious, but his hands were tied. It's not like he hasn't tried tracking you down himself, but he couldn't find a trace of you. The project's stagnation has left the officials incredibly frustrated. Even my mentor is stuck in a tough spot. They all feel completely duped by Bella. Her actual capabilities are nowhere near the genius reputation she bought for herself.

"Time really does reveal a person's true colors. Now, they're finally seeing that Bella isn't the golden goose they thought she was. But oddly enough, people are still trapped in this sunk-cost fallacy. They can't seem to wake up.

"Even Sebastian is still holding out hope that Bella can miraculously turn this project around. If he had any real foresight, he would have swapped her out for someone competent ages ago. It might have actually saved the initiative. Now? He probably won't feel the true pressure until I officially pull my team out."

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