Chapter 411

"Stop this nonsense. It's merely the annual perfumery competition. So what if you're disqualified this year? There's always next time. Why are you making such a fuss?"

Genevieve Sinclair's perfectly arched eyebrows drew together in irritation.

"But we won't make the deadline!"

How could Dominic Reeves remain calm? Though the competition was still two months away, they'd already submitted their entry.

If changes were possible, DR Holdings would need extensive R&D time to create an entirely new product line - with no guarantee of success.

Even if they miraculously developed something new, Dominic couldn't promise it would be competition-worthy.

Most critically, his two flagship products were now tainted by association with a convicted criminal.

This scandal would inevitably damage both the perfumes' reputations and DR Holdings' standing in the industry.

Dominic needed immediate crisis management - salvaging his perfumes' image while crafting plausible explanations for his board of directors. The profit margins were his paramount concern.

With multiple crises converging, he felt utterly overwhelmed.

"Not necessarily impossible. Participant lists can still be amended one month before shortlisting. As for your company's predicament... I'll assist you."

Genevieve paused deliberately before adding her unexpected offer.

Dominic's eyes lit up with sudden hope. "You mean that?"

His mother never offered help.

Their unspoken agreement demanded absolute secrecy about their relationship. Dominic could never leverage her connections.

He'd built his empire alone. Only if he achieved substantial success would Genevieve consider acknowledging him publicly.

Should he fail, this secret would die with her.

That's why Dominic never sought her assistance, no matter how dire his circumstances - he knew better than to ask.

Which made Genevieve's sudden offer utterly shocking.

"Don't celebrate prematurely. First, answer me - what were DR Holdings' profit margins these past two quarters? What percentage came from your two new perfumes? I hear they're performing well currently."

Genevieve's questions came rapid-fire.

"Well..."

"There's more. Are you still profiting from Evelyn Carter's original formulas? The ones she created before joining Phoenix Labs? What's their contribution to your bottom line?"

"Have you conducted detailed profit comparisons between legacy and new products?"

"Do you maintain a regr client roster? How strong are those relationships? Any potential for increased orders?"

"How many perfumers remain on staff? Any exceptional talents among them?"

Genevieve bombarded him with increasingly specific inquiries about DR Holdings' operations.

"I... I..."

Truthfully, Dominic had grown complacent recently, assuming his company thrived. He'd been certain the board approved of their financial performance.

He'd fully expected Vanessa Blake's creations to win awards this year.

Even if Vanessa couldn't win as perfumer, her products would surely triumph based on quality and market reception alone. He'd envisioned industry respect and soaring profits.

His only remaining goal had been reclaiming Evelyn.

With her by his side, Dominic believed his future would be secured.

But that fantasy shattered when Evelyn chose Alexander Kensington. Then Vanessa's legal troubles erupted.

Now Dominic's world crumbled around him.

"Why are you stammering? Look at yourself! What have you accomplished all these years? How can you lack such fundamental knowledge? Must I teach you basic business management? How dare you neglect profit margins and client relationships?"

Genevieve's scathing reprimand cut through his panic.