Natasha received a call from her secretary, Liora Hayes. “Ms. Harmon!” Her voice was choked with tears. “We have a crisis. Half an hour ago, we received several calls from Vanguard Group, Sterling Group, and Paramount Properties. They’ve all issued unilateral notices terminating their contracts. Even every agreed-upon project is suspended.”
“What?” Natasha’s face paled instantly. ” They’re terminating their contracts? How is that possible? The contract’s already been signed. Are they planning to breach them outright?”
“They only mentioned strategic adjustments and refused to elaborate. As for the penalty clauses, they stated they’re willing to pay in full,” Liora explained, her tone urgent.
She added, “But it gets worse. Several of our long-term suppliers and distribution partners have just sent formal notices. They’re claiming circumstances beyond their control and cutting off all supply and support.”
“How can this be happening?” Natasha asked.
Dread settled in her chest as the reality of the situation began to sink in. These clients and suppliers were the backbone of Dash Corporation. For all of them to turn at once was no coincidence.
She steadied herself and spoke in a low voice. “Everything was fine just a moment ago. How did this happen out of nowhere? Did you manage to find out anything?”
Liora hesitated, then lowered her voice. “I called in a favor and spoke with Mr. Vanguard’s assistant. He wouldn’t say much, only hinting that we might have offended the wrong person. Could be someone important, but he didn’t know who.”
Natasha’s mind raced through a dozen possibilities. The Chandler family was the first to come to mind, but she quickly dismissed it.
Gilbert and Frederick were still locked up at the police station, barely able to protect themselves. They were in no position to launch a counterattack so swiftly.
As for other rival companies, she couldn’t think of a single one with the influence to sway so many major industry players at the same time.
“I understand,” Natasha said, taking a deep breath.
Then, she added firmly, “Your immediate priority is to calm the employees and keep operations running. I’ll handle everything when I return tomorrow. Also, try to gather information through other channels, but don’t tip anyone off.”
“Got it, Ms. Harmon,” Liora replied. After the call ended, Natasha stood rooted to the spot for several heartbeats. A night breeze swept past her, carrying a chill that seeped into her bones.
She pressed her fingers to the space between her eyebrows, smoothing away the tension and anger that had gathered there. Only when her expression was carefully schooled into one of calm did she return to her seat.
Dustin noticed the subtle shift in her mood and asked, “What’s wrong? You don’t look well.”
Natasha sat down, took a sip of her milkshake, and smiled as if nothing had happened.
“It’s nothing serious,” she replied. “Just some minor issues at the company. Several clients made some last-minute changes. This happens all the time in the business world. I can handle it.”
She didn’t want him to worry, especially now when he couldn’t use his ability and was in such a vulnerable state. Moreover, the cutthroat world of business was her battlefield.
Dustin looked at Natasha but didn’t press further. He simply nodded and said, “Okay. Just let me know if you need anything.”
“Of course, Mr. Rhys.”
Moved by his words, she leaned over and kissed his cheek; the brief touch left behind a faint smudge of lipstick and a familiar scent that was uniquely hers.
“You should head back and get some proper rest,” she said. “I might need to go to the office to deal with this matter. I’ll find you later.”
After their late-night snack, Natasha drove Dustin back to his villa. She reminded him to lock his doors and windows before speeding off toward Dash Corporation headquarters.
The city lights blurred into streaks as she drove, their glow a cold mirror for the resolve hardening in her eyes. She vowed that anyone who schemed behind the scenes and threatened her company would soon face the full force of her wrath.
Natasha hadn’t slept a wink that night. As dawn lightened the windows of her office at Dash Corporation, dark circles framed her eyes. Even so, her gaze remained sharp and focused.
Her desk was stacked with contracts, financial reports, and lists of affected clients and suppliers that Liora had compiled overnight.
Natasha went through each document carefully, her frown deepening with every page. The losses were stacking up, and the crisis was spiraling faster than she had feared.
Besides the major clients and suppliers, even smaller partners had caught wind of the situation. Many had chosen to wait and see, but some were already quietly reaching out to her competitors.
With both cash flow and supply chains being strained, a single misstep could put her entire company in serious jeopardy. Just then, a sharp rap sounded at the door. Liora entered, her face even paler than it had been the night before.
“Ms. Harmon, I’ve just received word that Spectrum Tech and Pinnacle Media have formally sent notices terminating their advertising and project collaborations with us for next quarter.”
They had lost two more major partners. Natasha slammed her pen on the desk. She leaned back in her chair, rubbing her throbbing temples.
After spending the entire night investigating and calling in favors from her private contacts, she still couldn’t identify the person behind this crisis.
Her initial suspect, the Chandlers, had been ruled out after further investigation.
Warren was entangled in his own troubles, and other factions within the family were furious at the foolish actions of Gilbert and Frederick. The brothers were unlikely to stir up more trouble for the time being.
Natasha knew her main business rivals inside out. They might seize the chance to kick her while she was down. But none of them had the clout to rally so many powerful, well-connected partners against her in such a short time.
This wasn’t just about business interests. It was pressure from someone higher up, forcing those below to comply.
Only a figure with overwhelming influence could make so many powerful executives across multiple industries cut ties overnight, even while paying massive penalties.
Besides the few long-established ancient houses in Oakvale, only individuals with direct lineage to the royal family or the highest-ranking elites with extremely close ties to the King could dare to act with such boldness.
Natasha’s thoughts immediately turned to the royal relatives. Like a sudden flash of clarity, one figure surged into her mind.
Dahlia.
