Chapter 9

“Repeat that,” Dominic said calmly.

The finance manager swallowed. “The third quarter projections have dropped again. The investments we made earlier this year are not performing as expected.”

“How bad is it?”

“ Around twelve percent below target.”

A quiet murmur spread across the room.

Dominic did not react. “And the second report?”

Vince cleared his throat. “We are also seeing a decline in partner confidence. A few of them have started pulling back.”

“Names.”

The man hesitated. “Mr. Hale has withdrawn from the Riverside project.”

Dominic’s eyes finally lifted. “He signed that contract himself.”

“Yes,” the man said carefully. “But he sent a formal notice this morning.”

Another voice spoke up from the side. “There are also… concerns in the market.”

“What concerns?” Dominic asked.

The room went silent.

Then someone said quietly, “The videos.”

Dominic’s jaw tightened.

“They’ve been taken down from most platforms,” the man continued quickly. “But some illegal sites still have them. People are talking.”

“And that affects my company how?” Dominic asked, his voice flat.

“No one is saying it directly does,” the man replied. “But your personal life is starting to reflect on the brand.”

Dominic leaned back slightly.

“So because of gossip, investors are running?”

No one answered.

Another partner spoke, forcing a polite smile. “It’s just a temporary situation. Things will stabilize.”

“Will they?” Dominic asked.

The man’s smile faded.

A moment later, one of the senior partners closed his file.

“I think it’s best I withdraw from the Eastline deal for now,” he said.

The room went still again.

Dominic looked at him. “What?”

Dominic’s assistant noticing the tension quickly tried to salvage the situation.

“Mr Chase please—“

“You have been a partner at Ainsworth Corp for the past fifteen years, we’ve been through more difficult times. Chase, can’t we at least talk this out?” Dominic said to Chase

“I’m sorry, it’s more than just this. For years now board members have been asking you for an heir. This is a family owned company and give that nothing is guaranteed we need to know that the company would continue in the lineage of the Ainsworths”

The room fell deathly quiet as most people could not believe that Chase could openly challenge Dominic.

“I need to know that I’m not investing in a company that is at the brink of collapse. It may not look like so to the public eyes but knowing with I know, I cannot take the risk”

Dominic let out a short, humorless laugh.

“So this is what it is now,” he said. “My personal life decides whether you stay or leave?”

His hand slammed hard against the table.

“Enough!”

His voice rose, filled with anger that he had been holding back all day.

“You sit here and talk about loyalty,” he continued, his eyes locked on Chase, “but the moment things get difficult, you start looking for excuses to run.”

No one spoke.

Dominic stood up abruptly, his chair scraping loudly against the floor.

“If you want to leave, then leave,” he said coldly. “I don’t need partners who panic at the first sign of pressure.”

Chase simply scoffed. .

Dominic looked around the room, his gaze hard.

“Meeting dismissed.”

No one moved for a second.

Then chairs began to shift and soon enough the boardroom was empty.

In his office, Dominic poured himself a drink.

The files on his desk were open, but his eyes were not on them.

For the first time in years, things were slipping and he did not know what to do.

He pressed his fingers against his forehead then a soft knock came on the door.

“Yes.”

His assistant stepped in. “Sir, there are still some documents that need your approval before—”

“Handle it,” Dominic said.

The assistant paused. “Sir?”

“I’m leaving,” Dominic said. “Anything urgent, decide it yourself.”

Dominic declared picking up his jacket and walking out without another word.

By the time he got home, the house was quiet.

He stepped inside and loosened his cuffs. Chelsea appeared almost immediately.

“Dominic, you’re back,” she said with a bright smile.

He looked at her for a second, something about it her felt… off.

“I’m tired,” he said.

“Oh,” she said softly. “You look exhausted. Sit, I’ll get something for you.”

You

Dominic walked past her without answering.

As he moved toward the stairs, he could feel her eyes on him.

Something about her felt… fake. He could not shake the feeling that she was hiding something.

Dominic soon showered and headed for his study.

He was so engrossed in leftover paperwork that he did not notice when Mrs Winslow placed the tray in front of him.

“Your dinner,” she said softly.

He lifted up his eyes to her “Oh…Thank you.”

Mrs Winslow had always been almost like a mother to him. She was the only woman after his mother he listened to and over the years they had created a special type of friendship.

She didn’t leave after serving him and looks extremely

Dominic glanced up. “Is there something else?”

She hesitated. “You came home early today.”

“Is that a problem?”

“No,” she said quickly. “I was just… surprised.”

Dominic picked up his fork. “If you have something to say, say it.”

Mrs Winslow sighed quietly.

“The house has changed,” she said.

Dominic did not respond.

“It used to feel different,” she continued. “Calm. Peaceful.”

He kept eating.

“Miss Sephora used to make sure of that,” she added gently.

Dominic’s hand paused for a brief second.

Mrs Winslow continued, “Even when there were problems, she handled them quietly. She never let the house feel heavy.”

Dominic set his fork down.

“Where is this coming from?” he asked.

Mrs Winslow hesitated again.

“This afternoon,” she said slowly, “Miss Chelsea dismissed one of the maids….Clara.”

“For what?”

“She got startled when Miss Chelsea entered the kitchen. She dropped a plate.”

Dominic frowned. “That maid has been here for years.”

“Seven years,” Mrs Winslow said softly.

“And she fired her over a plate?”

Mrs Winslow nodded.

“She was crying,” she added. “Begging to stay.”

Dominic said nothing.

Mrs Winslow lowered her voice. “Miss Sephora would not have done that.”

After a moment, Dominic picked up his fork again.

“You can go,” he said.

Mrs Winslow looked at him for a second, then nodded and left.

Dominic stared at his plate.

Everything Winslow had said was true. Sephora was calm and kind hearted. She never made a fuss about things or caused drama.

He frowned slightly, Why was he even comparing them. He pushed the plate away as he had lost his appetite.

His phone rang.

Dominic picked it up.

“Yes.”

The voice on the other end was tense. “Sir, we have a problem.”

Dominic’s expression hardened. “Speak.”

“Mr. Hale is not the only one pulling out. Two more partners have withdrawn funding.”

Dominic stood up slowly.

“On what grounds?”

“They cited financial instability and… public image concerns.”

Dominic laughed softly, but there was no humor in it.

“Public image,” he repeated.

“There’s more,” the man continued. “The Westbridge deal has collapsed.”

Dominic’s grip tightened on the phone.

“That deal was already finalized.”

“They backed out this evening.”

Dominic closed his eyes for a brief second.

“Anything else?” he asked.

A pause.

“No, sir.”

Dominic ended the call.

He stood there in silence then he let out a slow breath.If this continued, everything would fall apart.

An hour later, Dominic sat in a quiet, dim club in a bid to escape the chaos that was his life right now.

It was private. No one would recognize him here.A dancer approached him with a soft smile.

“Can I join you?” she asked.

Dominic did not even look at her.

“No.”

She lingered. “Maybe I can help you relax.”

“I said no.”

She raised her hands slightly. “Alright.”

She walked away.

Dominic leaned back, staring at the table.He felt nothing. Not interest. Not distraction.

Everything was slipping.

He suddenly stood up and moved to a quieter booth.

He needed space.

As he sat down, voices from the next booth reached him.

“…City A next week.”

Dominic’s attention shifted slightly.

“Everyone important will be there,” one man said. “Top investors, major companies. It’s the biggest summit this year.”

“How did you even get invited?” another asked.

“Connections,” the first man said with a laugh. “If you land a deal there, you’re set for the next five years.”

“I heard that even Lucian Cole would be there”

Dominic’s eyes narrowed slightly.

City A?

A summit?

How had he not heard about it?

He leaned back, listening carefully.

“If you miss this, you’re finished,” the man continued. “This is where everything is happening.”

Dominic pulled out his phone immediately.

He dialed his assistants number and that one picked up after two rings.

“Sir?”

“There’s a business summit in City A,” Dominic said. “I want full details. Now.”

There was a small pause.

“Sir… you already received an invitation.”

Dominic frowned. “What?”

“I was going to brief you tomorrow,” the assistant said. “Everything is prepared. You’re on the list.”

Dominic was silent for a second.

Then, slowly, he smiled.

“Good,” he said.

“Should I begin arrangements?” the assistant asked.

“Yes,” Dominic replied. “We’re going.”

“Yes, sir.”

Dominic ended the call.

For the first time that day, something felt right. This was his chance to make reasonable connections and save Ainsworth Corp.

With this, he stood up, ready to leave, but as he reached the exit, he stopped.

Chelsea’s voice, her drama, her presence lingered in his mind. Dominic exhaled slowly, turned around, and walked back inside.

He returned to his seat and sat down as soft music filled the air. Leaning back, he closed his eyes, deciding that for tonight, this was better than going home.