Chapter 415

Dominic acted swiftly, mobilizing his crisis management team to issue a formal statement the next morning while simultaneously delivering his apology to the board members. With practiced humility, he acknowledged his oversight in team supervision.

He presented a compelling case to the directors, illustrating how DR Holdings would face catastrophic losses if they didn't immediately recall Vanessa's two fragrance lines. His fingers tapped rhythmically against the mahogany conference table as he spoke.

To mitigate the financial damage, Dominic pledged to introduce an innovative new product line within the quarter. The board members exchanged uneasy glances, their dissatisfaction palpable in the tense atmosphere.

Yet they recognized the grim reality - they were trapped in Dominic's chess game. His earnest apology and calculated vulnerability made them hesitate to pull their investments entirely.

After heated deliberation, the board reluctantly approved Dominic's proposal, granting him this final opportunity to redeem himself. None could devise a superior alternative.

Dominic exhaled sharply when the vote passed, knowing he'd cleared the first hurdle. The PR team's preemptive public apology had worked exactly as planned, painting DR Holdings as the victim in this scandal.

Unexpectedly, the discontinued perfumes gained cult status overnight. Speculators began reselling them at exorbitant prices, capitalizing on their sudden rarity. Dominic watched this development with mixed emotions.

Genevieve's warning echoed in his mind - reintroducing the recalled products would destroy consumer trust irrevocably. He clenched his fists, resisting the tempting but dangerous shortcut.

The public sympathy campaign took an unexpected turn when Evelyn's name resurfaced in online discussions. Netizens spun elaborate narratives about Dominic's tragic romantic history, portraying him as a perpetual victim of love.

This narrative fueled an unprecedented surge in sales of DR Holdings' other fragrances. Factories scrambled to meet demand, operating around the clock. Dominic couldn't wait to share this triumph with his mother.

"You were right, Mother," he said during their nightly call. "The strategy worked perfectly. We're not just surviving - we're thriving."

Meanwhile, across town, Evelyn scrolled through social media with growing fury. Her tablet screen reflected the angry flush creeping up her neck. Why did complete strangers insist on dragging her into this manufactured drama?

With a frustrated growl, she hurled the device onto the plush sofa just as Alexander emerged from his study. The Kensington heir raised an eyebrow at the unusual display of temper from his typically composed wife.

Alexander retrieved the abandoned tablet, his sharp eyes quickly deciphering the source of her irritation. "From a purely strategic standpoint," he observed, "Dominic played this masterfully. Leveraging public sympathy while appearing vulnerable - it's textbook crisis management."

Evelyn crossed her arms, her emerald eyes flashing. "It's manipulative and dishonest," she countered. "He's rewriting history to suit his narrative."

Alexander settled beside her, his calm demeanor contrasting with her agitation. "Perhaps," he conceded. "But in the corporate world, perception often outweighs truth. Dominic understands that better than most."

The tension in Evelyn's shoulders didn't ease. She knew Alexander was right - which only infuriated her more. Somewhere in the city, Dominic was undoubtedly celebrating his pyrrhic victory while others paid the price for his schemes.