We’re Drowning!

Two days later, Tyler Domango stormed into Richard's office, not bothering to close the door behind him.

"Have you completely lost your mind?" Tyler snapped, barely giving Richard a second to acknowledge his presence.

Richard, who had been nursing a tumbler of whiskey while staring broodingly at his computer screen, didn't even look up. "What now? Have you suddenly lost the simplest sense of courtesy?"

Tyler didn't bother with niceties. "Two major investors have already pulled out, and the remaining five are threatening to follow suit by the end of the week if we don't give them a concrete response within forty-eight hours—and here you are, drinking alcohol during working hours. "

Richard's grip on his glass tightened. "So you now have the balls to lecture me? And those two-faced bastards… Giving me ultimatums? After everything Domango Enterprise has done for them?

Tyler understood his elder brother's anger but there was no point crying over spilled milk. What they needed now was to be proactive. 

"They don't care about loyalty, Richard. They care about numbers. Stability. And right now, we're not giving them confidence that their money is in safe hands."

Richard exhaled sharply through his nose, his patience dangerously thin. "Then we'll find replacements."

Tyler scoffed, running a hand through his perfectly styled hair. "Replacements? You think investors just fall from the sky?"

Richard glared at him, but Tyler wasn't done.

"We are drowning, Richard. Our financial reports leaked, and the board is in panic mode. The media is already speculating bankruptcy, and our competitors are circling like vultures. We need to act now." He hesitated before driving in the final nail. "Or there won't be a Domango Enterprise in a few months."

Richard set his glass down with a loud clink. "Are you done lecturing me?"

Tyler ignored the warning in his tone. "Big brother, if you ask me—" He stopped abruptly at the frost in Richard's expression.

"I didn't ask you."

But Tyler had had enough of Richard's stubborn pride. "No, you didn't. But as the Vice President of this company, I need to tell you the truth. And you need to hear it anyway. We need her."

Richard's eyes darkened dangerously. "And who exactly is 'her'?"

"Elsa. I heard you finally snagged a meeting with her some days ago and she agreed to help, but unfortunately couldn't stay back but left someone to do so."

"And did your informant tell you who the said 'someone' was?"

"Shantel Hale," Tyler announced as if there was nothing wrong with it.

"And you don't see anything wrong with that name or person?"

"Even if there was anything wrong with her, she's our only lifeline, brother. Please put aside your sentiments for once and do this for the company and for all of us. Or would you rather watch Domango Enterprise and all our hard work, not to talk of yours over the years, go down the drain? 

Richard pushed back his chair and stood abruptly, looming over his assistant like an impending storm. "I would rather burn this company to the ground than let that woman have the satisfaction of thinking I need her."

Tyler shook his head, incredulous. "Are you listening to yourself? You're letting personal grudges dictate business decisions. This is bigger than you, Richard. Hundreds of employees, thousands of shareholders—do they all deserve to suffer because of your ego?"

Richard's jaw clenched just as his mind continued to rebel against the truth in his younger brother's words.

"Or is it something else?" Tyler challenged. "Is it about what people will think? That you, Richard Domango, had to crawl back to Shantel Hale? That the woman you blacklisted and disgraced so unceremoniously is now the only one who can save your company?"

Richard didn't answer, but the tick in his jaw betrayed him.

Tyler sighed, rubbing his temples. "For God's sake, Richard. The media already had a field day with those photos of you two. Your PR team barely contained the damage. If you work with her now, at least you can control the narrative. Spin it as a professional decision. But if Domango Enterprise collapses? That's your legacy gone. Your name, in ruins."

Silence hung between them like a drawn sword.

Finally, Richard exhaled sharply, dragging a hand down his face. He hated that Tyler was right. Hated even more that he had allowed himself to be backed into this position.

But most of all, he hated her. She had known that this would happen.

And now, she was waiting, smirking, no doubt. It still baffles him what tune she'd played to Elsa to get her in on this. 

Or were they in collaboration? If not, why would she be the only person Elsa could send to stand in for her? Not to talk of the unreasonable conditions she'd thrown at him as part of the contract.

If he allows Shantel Hale anywhere near his company and gives her full access to the finances and internal workings of his company, wouldn't it be the same as allowing the company to collapse on its own? Who knows what dubious plans Shantel has toward him and Domango Enterprise? 

"Richard?" His brother's voice found its way into his thoughts.

"I want to be left alone."

"Brother… ?"

"Get out, Richard roared so fiercely that Tyler was taken aback

Was his hatred for Shantel so deep that he just couldn't put it aside for a few weeks or months and work with her to save the company? Which was more important to him? 

Saving the company or holding stubbornly onto his principles? What is the use of a principle if it doesn't do you any good?

Tyler sighed helplessly, his shoulders sagging as he plodded out of the office. 

As the door closed behind his brother, Richard's fist exploded against the wall. And as if that wasn't enough, he turned around and with a roar, swept off everything on his table. 

"Damn you, Shantel Hale. This is all your fault," he cried out and collapsed wearily into his chair.

Any time he thought of reneging and forcing himself to consider working with Shantel Hale, the picture of the rocking car In the parking lot would suddenly show up like a programmed reflex. 

"Never. I can't be seen with such a loose woman. What will people think of me? Richard Domango, hanging out with Shantel Hale… the idea alone repulsed him."

What would be his reason this time around? That the woman he detested with the whole of his heart was helping him fix his company? Not only would that be absurd, but devastatingly humiliating.

********************

"Do you think he'll cave in?" Zephyr asked as they ascended the few steps leading to his apartment.

Shantel chuckled, eagerly looking forward to getting into the apartment just as something pleasantly delicious filtered into her nostrils. 

"Do you even need to ask? Anyways, people like Richard Domango are naturally proud and stubborn and wouldn't mind going down with a sinking ship just to massage their pride. But not to worry, I have him exactly where I want him— I don't need to lift another finger."

Zephyr shot her a skeptical glance. "Then why is he still blowing up your phone asking for a replacement? Two days straight— and you haven't replied to at least one of his messages?"