Chapter 283
The news spreading like wildfire was that Todd had triumphed over Alaric and secured the acquisition of the jewelry company. People were talking about it everywhere, speculating about the once-unshakable reputation of Nexus Innovations and its leader.
[Nexus Innovations has always been the leader here in Arizona, hasn’t it? How did an outsider beat them this time? Is Alaric still capable?]
[Is Alaric really seriously ill? Maybe he just doesn’t have the energy to handle the acquisition. If that’s the case, it makes sense.]
[Has Alaric’s legendary business career been defeated? Looks like Arizona is about to change hands.]
Stellan read through the online comments, her blood boiling. The criticism was sharp, each word a barb aimed at Alaric’s image. She wanted to lash out, to argue with the netizens, but quickly reconsidered. Engaging with them would only lead to more online abuse, and reasoning with faceless commentators would be a waste of time.
Worried that Alaric might be upset by the public backlash, Stellan drove quickly from Reassuring Clinic and headed straight to Nexus Innovations. She stormed into Alaric’s office, where she found him seated, his brow furrowed in thought.
“Galatea, why are you here all of a sudden?” Alaric asked, surprised by her hurried entrance.
“I already know about you not being able to acquire the jewelry company,” Stellan said, walking briskly to his desk. Her voice was filled with concern, but she forced a comforting smile onto her face. “Success is not final, and failure is not fatal. This is all very normal. It’s actually good that you didn’t succeed in the acquisition. Now you can focus on your treatment. If you had succeeded, you would’ve been swamped with work again. So, in a way, it’s a blessing in disguise, right?”
Alaric couldn’t help but chuckle at her earnestness. He leaned back in his chair and smirked. “So, you were worried I couldn’t handle it?” He gave a small, teasing grin. “Don’t worry. My resilience isn’t that weak. In life, when you win some, you lose some. It’s normal.”
Stellan’s gaze softened, but her concern remained. “Do you really think that way? I’m your wife. You don’t have to pretend in front of me. If you’re upset, just say it.”
Alaric laughed again, his mood lifting at the sound of her concern. “Do I look upset? Not only am I not upset, but I’m actually very happy. I’m over the moon.”
Stellan blinked, clearly shocked by his response. She hurried to his side, her eyes searching his face for any signs of hidden distress. “You’re happy? Alaric, are you sure you’re alright?”
Alaric’s expression turned serious for a moment. “I’m sober, and I’m not talking nonsense. I’m really very happy.”
He paused for a beat before explaining the situation in detail. As he spoke, Stellan’s anger grew with every word. She couldn’t believe what Ambrose had done.
“This was Ambrose’s doing?” Stellan asked, her voice tight with fury. “He threatened Cormac with Aurora?”
Alaric nodded, his expression darkening. “Yes, that’s exactly what happened.”
Stellan’s face twisted in disgust. “He’s so despicable, kidnapping a child to force Cormac into doing such a thing? That’s gone too far! I’ve always heard that the business world is like a battlefield, full of treachery. This time, I’ve really seen it. Ambrose will do anything to defeat you and successfully acquire the jewelry company. It’s simply shameful!”
She was seething, but what made her even angrier was the realization that she had once fallen for Ambrose’s charms. How had she been so blind? To think she had once trusted such a despicable, unscrupulous man!
Stellan then asked, “Is there no way to sue Ambrose because there’s no evidence?”
Alaric sighed, shaking his head. “He’s always been cautious. Cormac was too focused on saving Aurora, so there was no evidence left behind. But don’t worry. They won’t be smug for long. Ill-gotten gains never last.”
Stellan’s anger simmered, but she still couldn’t understand Alaric’s odd reaction. “Then why are you over the moon?” she asked, her eyebrows knitting together in confusion.
Alaric’s smile returned. “Because, just before you came, I received a call from Cormac. He said he would come to Nexus Innovations to help me. It’s temporary, but he’ll stay until my treatment is complete.”
“Really?” Stellan’s eyes brightened. “That’s great! If this can resolve the issues between you and Cormac, then it really is a blessing in disguise.”
Alaric nodded. “Exactly. Losing the jewelry company is nothing compared to that. Besides, I’ll get it back eventually. What’s mine will always be mine.”
Stellan’s face softened, and she stepped forward to give him a reassuring smile. “Honey, I believe in you. You can definitely do it!”
The two of them shared a quiet moment of understanding before Stellan asked, “So where is Cormac working now?”
Alaric looked pleased. “I initially wanted him to be in charge of both the jewelry company and the entertainment center, but since we haven’t acquired the jewelry company yet, there’s only the entertainment center left. His office is on the top floor of the office building in the entertainment center. I’ve also arranged an apartment for him right next to his office.”
Stellan smiled in approval. “That’s great. Now Cormac doesn’t have to squeeze into a small room with Aurora anymore.”
The arrangements Alaric had made were thoughtful, but Cormac had mixed feelings about the material benefits. Though he appreciated the gesture, he didn’t want to seem like he was accepting charity. However, for Aurora’s sake, he knew it was for the best.
When they arrived at the new apartment, Aurora’s eyes widened in amazement. Her voice was filled with wonder as she looked around.
“Cormac, is this where we’re going to live from now on?” she stammered, excitement making her words come out in a rush. “I can live in the entertainment center and not have to buy tickets, living here permanently?!”
“Yes, from now on, you can play in the entertainment center as much as you want,” Cormac replied with a smile.
Aurora’s joy was contagious, and as she stood by the floor-to-ceiling windows and looked out over the entertainment center, she gasped in awe. “This is so dreamy. Just like a dream!”
Cormac watched her with a soft smile. In that moment, he realized just how much he owed Alaric, and his gratitude swelled.
Just then, Xavier Cruz, Alaric’s assistant, entered the room. “Mr. Nash, someone is here to see you.”
Cormac frowned, surprised. It was his first day in the new office, and he hadn’t expected visitors yet.
In the reception room, Richard and Rowena sat together on the couch. Richard, ever the talker, was complaining about missing the last dinner with Alaric and Stellan.
“Rowena, why didn’t you invite me when you had dinner with Alaric and Stellan last time? Such a rare opportunity.”
Rowena sighed, trying to brush him off. “It was just a casual meal, nothing formal.”
“Well, next time you have such an opportunity, you must tell me,” Richard urged.
Rowena nodded, somewhat reluctantly.
Richard then turned the conversation back to business. “This time, we’re here to discuss the entertainment center’s promotional matters. I was hoping to schedule another dinner with Alaric, but I was told that the entertainment center now has a specific person in charge.” He frowned. “They said we should handle all future coordination with the new person in charge. This makes me a bit uneasy. Rowena, when you had dinner with them last time, you didn’t say anything to offend them, did you?”
Rowena, exasperated by Richard’s worries, replied, “No, don’t overthink it. Mr. Knight is the director of Nexus Innovations. The entertainment center is just a subsidiary. Now that there’s a director in charge, it’s natural for the director to handle specific responsibilities.”
Richard still looked uneasy. “I wonder who the person in charge of the entertainment center is. Will they be easy to work with?”