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Chapter 5 The Boardroom Panic 

Chapter 5 The Boardroom Panic 

+10 Free Coms 

The morning after Seraphina disappeared, Andre was still recovering in the guest suite when the door burst open. 

Three senior directors pushed their way inside. 

Philip didn’t bother with greetings. 

“Andre-what the hell did you do?” 

He stopped at the foot of the bed, face flushed with anger. 

“Why did you provoke the Renault family? Our company’s bleeding out!” 

Andre frowned. 

“What are you talking about?” 

“The Renaults pulled their backing last night. The news is everywhere!” Warren snapped. “Competitors are already stripping our clients away. They’re tearing this company apart piece by piece!” 

Andre went pale. 

“That’s impossible,” he said slowly. “Seraphina’s just… upset. She’ll calm down.” 

“Upset?” Ron laughed, cold and bitter. “Do you have any idea how many sharks have caught the scent of blood?” 

He ticked points off on his fingers. 

“Two clients suspended negotiations this morning. Three lenders are reviewing our credit lines. And our competitors?” He gave a humorless smile. “They’re already circling.” 

Warren leaned forward. 

“Without Renault protection, Volkov Group isn’t a power player anymore.” A pause. “We’re prey.” 

Andre felt the words like a punch to the chest. 

“That can’t be happening.” 

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Chapter 5 The Boardroom Panic 

Philip’s voice hardened. 

“Then fix it.” 

He jabbed a finger toward Andre. 

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“You go to the Renault heiress. You apologize. Publicly if necessary. Do whatever it takes.” 

Andre’s jaw tightened. 

For a second his hands clenched into fists against the blanket. 

Then the strength drained out of them. 

“…I’ll handle it,” he muttered. 

The directors exchanged looks-half anger, half disbelief. 

Then they turned and walked out. 

The door shut with a dull click. 

Silence filled the room. 

Andre stared at the ceiling. 

Anger burned in his chest. 

How dare she. 

After everything he had given her. 

But beneath the anger was something colder. 

Fear. 

If the Renault family truly withdrew their support… 

Volkov Group wouldn’t just weaken. 

It would collapse. 

The click of the latch cut through the silence. 

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Chapter 5 The Boardroom Panic 

+10 Free Coms 

Aurora Thorne stepped inside, clutching a bowl of soup. Her eyes were rimmed with red, her lashes still spiked with tears as if she’d been sobbing for hours. 

“Andre…” 

Her voice trembled. 

She set the bowl on the nightstand with shaking hands. 

“This is my fault.” 

Andre turned his head. 

“What are you talking about?” 

Before he could react, Aurora collapsed by the side of the bed. 

“Aurora-hey-what are you doing?” 

Tears spilled down her cheeks. 

“Seraphina must have discovered something,” she whispered. 

“She hates me… so she’s punishing you.” 

Her shoulders shook as if the words physically hurt. 

“Because of me, you’re losing everything.” 

Andre stared at her, stunned. 

“Aurora… stop.” 

“I’ll 

go talk to her.” She lifted her face, tear-streaked and pale. “I’ll do everything if I have to.” 

For a moment Andre said nothing. 

Then something inside him shifted. 

Aurora looked so small. 

So devoted. 

Compared to her quiet loyalty, Seraphina’s departure suddenly felt… 

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Chapter 5 The Boardroom Panic 

Cruel. And unreasonable. O 

He reached down and pulled Aurora gently to her feet. 

“No,” he said firmly. “You’re not doing that.” 

“But- 

“This isn’t your fault.” 

He leaned back against the pillows, forcing himself to think. 

Seraphina loved him. 

Seven years. 

Seven years wasn’t something people just erased overnight. 

“She’s being emotional,” he said slowly. “She’ll cool down.” 

Aurora lowered her gaze. 

For the briefest moment, something smug flickered across her eyes. 

Then it vanished. 

“But the company…” she murmured. 

Andre shook his head. 

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“She won’t let it collapse.” His voice regained confidence. “I know her. She’ll come back once she’s done making her point.” 

Aurora hesitated. 

“Really?” 

Andre gave a short laugh. 

“Of course.” 

He glanced toward the window, already rehearsing her return in his head. 

“She’s just acting out.” he paused, the smile on his lips turning cold. “And when she comes 

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Chapter 5 The Boardroom Panic 

crawling back… she’s the one who’s going to apologize to me.” 

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