She Left She Thrived She’s Worth Billions novel Chapter 883

Dominic emerged from the office looking utterly defeated.

Gavin Lockridge leaned against the wall, taking in Dominic's slumped shoulders, furrowed brow, and generally grim aura. It was obvious his grandfather had just torn him a new one.

In the past, Gavin would have rushed over to offer his buddy a drink and a sympathetic ear. For years, he had looked up to Dominic as the older brother he never had.

But things had changed.

Ever since Gavin's drunken meltdown at the Eclipse Noir Club over the fertilizer incident, a seed of doubt had taken root in his mind.

Dominic had sworn up and down that Melanie Royce was just trying to drive a wedge between them out of spite.

But... was that the truth?

Gavin couldn't explain it. He was practically family with Dominic, yet every instinct in his body told him Melanie's words held the real weight.

Gavin knew exactly who he was. He freely admitted to being a playboy who cared more about the nightlife than the boardroom. He had never given a damn about the family empire.

But being a slacker didn't make him stupid. He couldn't shake the feeling that Dominic had changed.

Maybe it happened when Holden officially took him under his wing, or maybe the mask had slipped even earlier.

Compared to Gavin's silver-spoon existence, Dominic's life read like a twisted soap opera. A secret romance with his adopted sister, a string of affairs, a love child, a bitter divorce, getting financially ruined by his ex-wife, only to realize that same ex-wife was his true first love and savior.

It was all too dramatic. Perhaps hitting rock bottom had made Dominic ruthlessly protective of his newly acquired wealth and status.

Gavin noticed that ever since Dominic had solidified his position as Holden's golden boy, he had become aggressively ambitious regarding the Lockridge businesses.

Dominic was the man who had saved Holden's life, earning the patriarch's blind trust and favor. And with every passing day, Gavin felt increasingly invisible in his own family.

He wasn't entirely sure, but he suspected Dominic was actively plotting to replace him.

Standing in the shadows, Gavin subconsciously clenched his fists.

However, being Holden's favorite meant taking the heat when things went wrong.

Case in point: the Royce Group's recent collaboration with Stellaris PharmaTech and the Carter Group. Their newly launched blood-sugar regulating supplement was actively tearing into the Lockridge Convalescent Home's market share.

Holden was panicking. He had cornered Dominic multiple times, demanding a solution.

The Lockridge Group could not afford to lose its grip on the wellness market. And since Melanie was Dominic's ex-wife, Holden expected him to handle it.

Dominic either needed to charm Melanie into a partnership with the convalescent home, or...

Sensing eyes on him, Dominic turned and spotted Gavin stepping out of the shadows.

"Gavin," Dominic said.

"Dominic," Gavin replied, walking over. "Grandpa chew you out again?"

Dominic shook his head. "It's not that... he just has high expectations for me."

A flicker of discomfort crossed Gavin's face.

"Yeah, high expectations... Is there anything I can do to help?"

"Don't worry about it, Gavin. I'll handle the competition with the Royce Group myself." Dominic patted Gavin's shoulder with a warm, reassuring smile.

*When it all goes up in flames, you'll be the one taking the fall anyway,* Dominic thought, his smile widening.

"So... do you actually have a plan?" Gavin asked quietly.

"Oh, I have a plan. Just sit back and watch."

Dominic patted his arm once more before turning and walking down the hall.

Gavin stood frozen in the corridor, a sour, heavy feeling settling in his stomach.