Rising from the Ashes (Andrew and Lauren)

Dominic believed there was a limit to how much someone could bluff. The Goth family might have kept a low profile, but they'd always been stable. Unless they were completely self-destructed, thinking someone could wipe them out from the outside was just a fantasy.

Right then, Dominic's phone rang. He glanced at the screet and grinned before answering. "Mr. Jenner! Haha, I'm guessing the permit finally came through for our project, right? I knew it'd get approved!"

The voice on the other end exploded. "Permit my ass, Dominic! Have you completely lost your damn mind? That project's main contract went through Rhodes Corporation, and you had the nerve to piss off their director, Mr. Lloyd? They already booted us off the deal! You absolute dumpster fire of a partner. I must've been blind to ever work with you!"

The call ended in a furious hang-up before Dominic even had a chance to respond. He stood there frozen, still holding his expensive phone as if it had just slapped him across the face.

His cheeks were burning, and he turned to glare at Andrew, teeth clenched. "This was your doing, wasn't it? Hmph. It's just one project-we can afford the loss. I refuse to believe every major player in Jayrodale is going to bow to you!"

Andrew ignored the tantrum and walked over to Nyla, handing her a tissue with a soft smile. "Wipe those tears. You're about to become the new head of this family-can't have you crying in front of your people."

Then he looked back at Dominic, his expression turning ice-cold. "What just happened? That was just the beginning.

"I said I'd blacklist the Goth family completely... and I meant it. I'll make sure you, Dominic, have nowhere left to

run."

Just as his words landed, several Goth family executives burst into the room, drenched in sweat like they'd seen a ghost.

"Sir! We've got a major problem-no, several problems!"

"Glorious Pharmaceuticals just pulled strings and cut ties with five of our top suppliers. We've got zero access

now."

"And that's not all. A bunch of partnerships we'd already locked in? Gone. At least ten million in losses, and that's just the start."

"Mr. Goth, Jayrodale's elite families just released a joint statement. From now on, all business with the Goth family is officially severed."

"And the Jayrodale Bank just froze our accounts. They're demanding immediate repayments, or they're taking us

to court."

One after another, the

announcements hit like a funerakbell ringingan Dominic's ears. He stared at them in disbelief, then collapsed straight to the floor like someone had ripped out his spine.

“N–No way... This can't be happening. There's no way this is real. We've got too many revenue streams-there's no way they all dried up at once. I don't believe it!"

He sat there, dazed and trembling, screaming into the void like a man who had just lost everything.

Camilla looked like her soul had left her body. She was shaking so hard she nearly fell over. She rushed to

Dominic, clutching his arm in desperation. "You've got to pull it together! Please!

"This has to be fake-it's all fake! That bastard Andrew just planted false rumors to scare us!" Dominic scrambled back to his feet, nodding like a madman "Right, right... it's all fake. Just a bluff... it has to be..." Just then, a thunderous roar came from outside as an old man stormed into the room-furious and unannounced. It was Alfred Goth, the oldest surviving member of the Goth family. His hair was fully silver, and he had been in charge of half the family's businesses for years. Most importantly, he was the one who maintained the family's relationships with Jayrodale's upper class.

“U—Uncle Alfred..... what are you doing here?" Dominic stammered, instantly uneasy at the sight of him."

Alfred did not say a word. He stormed forward and slapped Dominic across the

face so hard it echoed through the hall.

"You bastard! Do you even realize

what you've done? You've dragged the family straight into hell! What the hell were you thinking? What

were

reckless nonsense have you gotten us into?"

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