Alpha's Regret: The Seventh Time was Forever novel Chapter 31

Chapter 31: Chapter 31 - I’ll make sure you get back every single thing you lost

The clink of cutlery had barely settled into a comfortable rhythm when Desmond cleared his throat. "Major shareholders are pulling out," he said quietly. "They’re moving their shares to Ashkael Holdings." The words landed like a dropped plate.

The warm glow of the chandelier suddenly felt cold. Even the food on Seraphine’s plate lost its appeal. A heavy silence spread across the dining table, thick and suffocating, pressing into everyone’s chest.

Desmond immediately regretted opening his mouth due to the reaction he got. Seraphine’s fingers slipped from her fork, it clattered against the porcelain, the sound sharp in the quiet room.

Guilt surged through her like a wave she couldn’t outrun, her throat tightened. "This is my fault."

Everyone looked at her, as she he pushed her chair back slightly, her voice shaking despite her effort to stay composed.

"I’m sorry I dragged you all into this," she said, eyes burning. "He has no right to go against the company like this because of me."

"No," Corvine spoke quickly, "It’s not your fault."

He shot an accusing glare at his father, jaw clenched, but Seraphine was already shaking her head. She was mature enough to know comfort when she heard it, and also when it wasn’t true but responsibility would not allow her to take it in Corvine’s words.

Voren was attacking the Stone Group Capital, of which Corvine was supposed to be the CEO because of her, and she could not let things slide.

"Yes, it is," she said quietly. "And there’s nothing anyone can say that’ll change my mind."

She turned slowly toward Desmond. "Tell me," she said. "Are there losses?" 𝓯𝙧𝙚𝒆𝙬𝙚𝒃𝙣𝙤𝒗𝓮𝓵.𝙘𝙤𝙢

Desmond’s face tightened, his shoulders sagged, years of experience unable to shield him from this moment. Corvine subtly shook his head at him, silently begging him not to say it.

But Desmond couldn’t lie. His voice came out low. "We’re ten billion in deficit." As the number echoed, Seraphine shot to her feet. "What?"

It had just been a few days and Voren already got them. She couldn’t celebrate Ravyn’s fall anymore because Voren must be undoubtedly doing this because of him. Her chair scraped loudly across the marble floor.

"Ten billion?" she roared. "That’s insane!" Her hands trembled as she pressed them against the table. "This is too much," she continued, chest rising sharply. "Voren is doing this because of me. This is personal."

Desmond opened his mouth, wanting to carry the burden himself, but something in him refused to sugarcoat reality. "Not just that," he added softly. "Our stocks are plummeting fast."

Seraphine’s fingers curled into fists, her pulse thundered in her ears. "Don’t worry," she said, her voice steady now, dangerously calm. "I’ll make sure you get back every single thing you lost."

Everyone looked disturbed, and even the walls seemed to listen, and for the first time that night, Nessa spoke. "Sera," she said gently, reaching out. "Don’t be too hard on yourself. This isn’t the first crisis we’ve faced. Desmond always finds a way."

Her gaze shifted to her husband but what she saw there made her heart sink. Loss, pure, unfiltered loss.

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