Chapter 7: The Cracks in the Facade
Dominic Harrington had never known what it felt like to lose control.
By 11:40 p.m., he was standing in the middle of the Grand Lexington Hotel ballroom, surrounded by people who were supposed to respect him. Instead, they were staring at their phones. One by one, conversations died down. Investors who had been smiling at him an hour earlier were now avoiding his eyes.
His phone had been vibrating non-stop for the past forty minutes.
When he finally stepped into a private lounge to answer it, his CFO’s panicked voice came through the line.
“Dominic, what the hell is going on? Three of our biggest investors just pulled out. They said they received ‘sensitive information’ about fund misappropriation. The stock is already dropping in after-hours trading.”
Dominic’s grip on the phone tightened.
“Fix it,” he snapped. “Call them back. Tell them it’s a misunderstanding—”
“Dominic,” the CFO interrupted, his voice strained. “They sent the files to everyone. Bank statements. Shell company transfers. It’s all there. This isn’t something we can spin.”
Dominic ended the call without another word.
He stood in the empty lounge, staring at his reflection in the dark window. His perfect life was unraveling in real time, and he had no idea how to stop it.
His phone rang again. This time, it was Elena.
He hesitated before answering.
“Dominic,” Elena’s voice was tight with fear. “Lucas and I… we can’t get into the apartment. The doorman said our access has been revoked. He wouldn’t even let us inside to get our things. What’s happening?”
Dominic closed his eyes.
“Stay calm,” he said. “I’ll handle it.”
“Handle it?” Elena’s voice rose. “You told me everything was under control. You said your wife would never find out. Now there are reporters outside our building asking questions about ‘the other family.’ Lucas is scared, Dominic. He keeps asking why we can’t go home.”
Dominic felt a headache building behind his eyes.
“I said I’ll handle it,” he repeated, sharper this time.
He hung up.
For the first time in years, Dominic Harrington felt truly afraid.
He had always believed he could manage both worlds — the respectable family man with Vivienne and Sophia, and the exciting second life with Elena and Lucas. He had been careful. He had covered his tracks.
Or so he thought.
Now, everything was collapsing at once.
He tried calling Vivienne again. Straight to voicemail.
He tried calling Chloe. Also voicemail.
Dominic stared at his phone, a cold realization settling over him.
They weren’t just attacking his company.
They were cutting him off from everything.
And the person leading the charge wasn’t some random enemy.
It was his own wife’s family.
The Sterling family had finally decided to move against him.
Dominic loosened his tie and sank into a chair, his mind racing.
He had underestimated Vivienne.
He had thought she would cry, scream, maybe threaten divorce.
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He never expected her to go straight to Victor Sterling.
That had been his biggest mistake.
