บททั้งหมดของ Dominated By Him: บทที่ 91 - บทที่ 100

Sophia's POVI'd claimed the small room adjacent to our bedroom as my workspace, filling it with research papers, medical journals, and the endless spreadsheets. The desk lamp cast a warm glow across my laptop screen as I scrolled through database after database, searching for information on early-onset Alzheimer's treatments.This was far outside my comfort zone. During my years at Columbia, my focus had been on general internal medicine—nothing this specialized. And now I was expected to present a comprehensive drug introduction to a room full of skeptical executives who already thought I'd gotten my position through nepotism alone.They're not entirely wrong about that last part, are they?I pushed the bitter thought aside and reached for my phone. There was one person who could help me navigate this minefield.David answered on the second ring, his familiar face appearing on my screen."Sophia." His eyes crinkled with warmth. "To what do I owe the pleasure? Don't tell me you're al

Sophia's POVThe silence was deafening.Fifteen pairs of eyes bore into me. The error message glowed mockingly on the screen behind me. Maria's smile gleamed in the front row like a blade catching light.Think. Think. THINK.And then, like a spark in darkness, it came to me.Alfonso.I took a deep breath and stepped away from the useless laptop. When I spoke, my voice was steadier than I expected."Ladies and gentlemen, I'd like to tell you a story."Mr. Whitmore's eyebrows rose. "A story? Mrs. Romano, we came here for a presentation on pharmaceutical data, not—"I held up my hand. "Give me five minutes. If you're not interested after that, I'll step aside."He exchanged glances with the other investors, then shrugged. "Five minutes."I walked to the center of the room, away from the broken technology and the wrong samples. Away from Maria's calculating gaze."Two years ago, my younger brother fell from a building." I paused, letting the words settle. "He's been in a coma ever since. A

Maria's POVShe actually did it.I watched Isabella stride back into the conference room, surrounded by researchers who were suddenly treating her like some kind of corporate messiah. The same people who'd been whispering about nepotism just an hour ago were now hanging on her every word, nodding along to whatever she was saying about the investor tour next week.Impossible. This should have been impossible.I'd planned everything so carefully. The sample switch was executed perfectly—that young lab assistant had been so easy to manipulate with a few tears and a story about wanting to surprise Mrs. Romano with an upgraded display. The corrupted presentation files had been my backup plan, insurance in case she somehow noticed the wrong medications.And those research notes I'd so helpfully provided? About a drug discontinued two years ago? That should have been the final nail in her coffin.How did she recover from all of that?I kept the pleasant smile fixed on my face as Dr. Chen and

Sophia's POVMy phone buzzed just as I was packing up my things to leave the office.How did it go today?David. I smiled despite my exhaustion and typed back a quick summary of everything that had happened—the security footage that showed nothing, Clark's explanation about server glitches and mislabeled shipments, the upcoming investor tour on Wednesday.His response came almost immediately: You handled that brilliantly. Turning a disaster into a facility tour? That's not luck—that's skill. I'm proud of you.Something warm spread through my chest at his words. David had always believed in me, even when I couldn't believe in myself.Let me buy you dinner tonight. To celebrate surviving another crisis.I sent the message before I could overthink it. After everything I'd been through, I deserved one evening with someone who actually cared about my wellbeing.Deal. That Italian place on 53rd?Perfect. See you at 7.---Dinner with David was exactly what I needed. We talked about everythi

Sophia's POVThree days laterThe investor tour was scheduled for this afternoon, and I didn't trust Maria as far as I could throw her.She'd sent me a message that morning, all sunshine and helpfulness: Everything's ready! I've organized all the materials and made sure the display area is perfect. Don't worry about a thing!That was exactly why I was worried.I walked into the pharmaceutical division's main laboratory, my heels clicking against the polished floor. I wanted to check everything myself before the investors showed up.Maria can claim she's "prepared" all she wants. I'm not letting her sabotage this tour like she sabotaged my presentation.The core display area was set up near the back of the lab, complete with sample cases, demonstration equipment, and a small stage for presentations. I approached the main display table and bent down to examine the sample dishes, making sure everything was arranged corre