Chapter 58: Chapter 58: It Seems, Either Way, She’s Drawing a Line with Him

Leona Grant listened with great interest to Annabelle Linton’s response. He wanted to hear what kind of answer she would give.

“Because its domestic economy remains sluggish, the Hadaran government has focused on cutting public spending and unleashing its potential for economic growth. These measures all satisfy the IMF’s requirements and conditions for a loan.

Although Hadara is one of the poorest nations in Qadira, it receives close attention from the international community because major international shipping routes pass its borders. It is also a neighbor to the world’s largest oil exporter, the Kingdom of Hajar. For the sake of long-term development and cooperation, the IMF would naturally agree. Of course, the most crucial reason is that Hadara has eliminated its fuel subsidies,” Annabelle Linton answered professionally.

She spoke with complete composure, with no need to consciously think about it. The answers flowed from her effortlessly, as if they were instinct and common sense.

And yet, these were the conclusions the Hadaran government had reached only after deep and careful consideration.

Leona Grant glanced at her, meeting her deep, cold eyes.

Her eyes seemed to hold a profound depth—a distillation of education, grace, intellect, wisdom, and composure that gave one the impression she was in complete control of any situation.

Leona Grant suddenly remembered that she had been busy with Linton Group business lately. The marketplace is a battlefield. He had originally planned to wait for her to ask for his help, but it seemed she had no intention of doing so.

’Which would she choose? Asking someone else for help, or solving it herself?’

It seemed that either choice was a way of drawing a clear line between them.

A sense of helpless frustration inexplicably washed over him again.

Leona Grant watched her with a sharp, perceptive gaze. He did not want Annabelle Linton to have the ability to solve the Linton Group’s problems on her own.

He asked, his tone sharp and probing, “The Hadaran government’s revocation of its fuel subsidy promise will cause a sharp rise in domestic fuel prices and provoke intense public discontent. Hadara’s situation is already unstable, and its social stability is precarious. If the masses erupt from their silence, it will lead to bloody turmoil. For a mere 560 million dollars, the Hadaran government loses public support and its fuel subsidies. Isn’t that a case of the losses outweighing the gains?”

Seeing that it was Leona Grant asking the question, Annabelle Linton instinctively didn’t want to answer.

But she couldn’t deliberately ignore him in front of so many people, so she replied impassively, “A nation’s society and economy are its most important pillars, but the economy has always been the most direct way to stabilize anything. As long as there is money, all other problems can be easily solved.

Right now, Hadara’s national treasury is depleted. This IMF loan will be the unequivocal support for Hadara’s economic recovery. Furthermore, the first installment of this loan will be disbursed within two months, and the total loan will be fully disbursed over three years.

Nothing ventured, nothing gained. Public anger is not what’s truly terrifying; the fall of the nation is. Without painful reforms, Hadara’s deteriorating economic and fiscal situation will not improve. If the Hadaran government considers its economy, its people, its finances, its development, and its infrastructure, then a mere fuel subsidy is a sacrifice it must be willing to make.”

Hearing Annabelle Linton’s words, the way Leona Grant looked at her changed.

Every point she made was correct, and it was clear she wasn’t just speaking casually.

Hadara’s current situation was tense. Without painful reforms, the country would soon fall.

He had asked many people the same question, but few could answer it. Yet, Annabelle Linton had answered it with ease.

Her answer was comprehensive, showed an ability to extrapolate, and was presented with clear and compelling logic. It was a testament to her meticulous mind.

’How did I never know she had these talents before?’

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