Chapter 78
“It must have been tough for you, Franz,” Nate said as he watched Franz finish his drink. The low table between them had several half-empty glasses, with water rings forming on the surface. “I’m surprised you haven’t left the showbiz industry yet p>
Franz glanced at him without immediate reaction, setting the glass down near the edge of the table before leaning back slightly into the chair. The lighting in the private room was warm but subdued, casting softened shadows along the walls.
“I almost did,” he admitted after a brief pause. “I considered breaking my contracts and stepping away from the limelight entirely p>
“So what changed?” Nate asked, resting his forearms against his knees as he leaned forward.
Franz smiled slightly and said, “I married Arianne. It’s hard to imagine how our lives would be now if she hadn’t come p>
The three men looked at each other. Franz thought he was hiding how much he cared, but it showed in his voice and body language.
“I’m still disappointed that none of us were invited to your wedding,” Nate said, his face showing some frustration. “Why were only Gil and Samantha there p>
“It was set up quickly,” Franz replied, placing his fingers in front of him. “We had three days after the board approved it. There wasn’t time to invite anyone beyond immediate logistics p>
Julian reached over and patted Gilbert’s shoulder. “I think you’re avoiding the real issue. We wanted to see Aria in her bridal dress p>
Gil exhaled lightly. “The dress came from Samantha’s closet,” he said. “And who knows? If they renew their vows someday, perhaps you’ll receive a formal invitation p>
Nate nodded once. “I don’t think Aria would file for divorce, provided Franz doesn’t make a mistake p>
“I would rather have Franz as our brother-in-law than that man,” Julian added, the remark delivered evenly rather than jokingly.
The table fell silent. No one had mentioned Dominic Blackwood’s name yet, but it was clearly on everyone’s mind. When the silence lasted longer than normal, Franz calmly set his glass down and placed his hands on the edge of the table.
“I thought his name would come up eventually,” he said.
Nate leaned back, crossing one leg over the other. “It usually does p>
Julian studied Franz carefully, observing not just his expression but the way he held his shoulders. “You’ve met him before p>
“Yes,” Franz replied.
“That must have been uncomfortable p>
Franz did not answer immediately. He glanced briefly at the condensation ring forming beneath his glass before responding. “It was unnecessary p>
Gil’s gaze lowered toward the tabletop before lifting again. “He’s done well for himself these past five years p>
That was an understatement. Dominic Blackwood did not disappear after Arianne left Montclair City. Instead, he quickly and carefully built his position. In two years, he gained control of Blackwood Corporation and expanded into infrastructure and energy. Financial publications often featured his name. Interviews showed him as decisive, composed, and relentless.
Publicly, the scandal that ended his engagement to Arianne Summers was rephrased as a simple clash of values between young people. The story shifted in his favor with surprising ease.
“He’s careful now,” Nate said, adjusting his cuff. “More calculated than before p>
“He was always calculated,” Julian replied.
“Yes,” Nate agreed, “but now he moves with less excess p>
Franz listened without interruption, his posture unchanged.
Gil spoke, his tone becoming a bit duller. “The first year after she disappeared, he made inquiries p>
Franz focused more closely but didn’t lean in. “What kind of inquiries p>
“Discreet things,” Gil replied. “He asked mutual contacts first. Former employees and board members who had worked with Summers Corporation p>
Julian folded his hands on the table, elbows aligned with the edge. “He hired investigators eventually p>
Franz did not look surprised, but he did not conceal his attention either.
“Alex knew,” Nate said, his voice lower than before.
The mention of Alex changed the direction of the conversation. The tension did not rise; it grew more serious.
“He told you?” Franz asked.
“He told me,” Gil said. “Because his search started to overlap with our network p>
Dominic had not acted impulsively. He avoided public filings and made no dramatic gestures. Instead, he checked travel records. All legal. He reached out to old contacts. Said it was just business, never framing his questions as personal.
“He was thorough,” Julian said. “It’s structured. Not sentimental p>
“Did he find anything?” Franz asked.
Gil shook his head once. “Nothing conclusive p>
That was only partly true. There were times when Dominic got closer to his search than anyone wanted. He found a corporate registration in another country that resembled a dormant Summers subsidiary, and a banking inquiry involving one of Alex’s offshore contacts. Each time, the trail disappeared before he could find confirmation.
“Alex blocked him,” Nate said.
Franz’s gaze shifted slightly. “How p>
“He had resources,” Nate replied. “And leverage p>
Julian smiled faintly. “Dominic did not realize how far Alex would go to protect Aria p>
Alex did not announce what he was doing. He did not confront Dominic directly. Instead, he changed search results, hid digital traces, and quietly warned people who might talk too freely. For every question Dominic asked, Alex made sure the answers led nowhere.
“It wasn’t just loyalty,” Gil said.
Franz waited.
“Dominic wasn’t looking for closure,” Gil continued. “He wanted access p>
The statement hung in the air.
Franz’s fingers lay flat on the table. “Access to what p>
“We never figured that out,” Gil answered.
Julian tilted his head slightly. “It wasn’t about reconciliation p>
“No,” Nate agreed. “If it were, he would have approached this circle differently p>
Franz considered that quietly.
Dominic’s public life continued to advance. He married Diana in a strategically timed announcement timed to coincide with a major acquisition. The message emphasized stability and growth. Four years ago, a son was born, and Dominic seemed settled and focused.
“They have a son,” Julian added. “Four years old p>
“Yes,” Nate added. “He appears established p>
Gil did not look away from Franz. “But the search did not stop immediately after his marriage p>
Franz’s expression remained steady, though the others noticed the slight tightening in his jaw. “How long did it continue p>
“Nearly another year,” Gil replied.
“Less frequent,” Julian added, “but more selective p>
“And then?” Franz asked.
“Then it stopped,” Nate said.
It was unclear whether Dominic thought the trail was permanently cold or if he found enough information to feel satisfied.
“Did Alex confront him directly?” Franz asked.
“No,” Gil replied. “He preferred to keep his distance p>
Julian spoke in a lower tone. “Alex didn’t trust his motives p>
Franz took that in without saying anything.
“Dominic built his empire without Aria,” Nate said. “But he kept searching long after she was gone p>
“And you never understood why,” Franz said.
“No,” Gil replied.
A brief silence followed, feeling calm rather than uncomfortable.
Franz listened. This wasn’t about emotion. The methods used—financial tracing, corporate review, and structured investigation—indicated a goal beyond unresolved feelings.
“He doesn’t move unless there’s something in it for him,” Franz said.
“No,” Nate agreed.
“And he rarely moves without preparation,” Julian added.
Gil leaned back slightly in his chair. “Whatever he was looking for, he didn’t obtain it p>
Franz met his gaze steadily. “Or he obtained enough p>
None of them dismissed that possibility.
After a moment, Nate reached for his glass again, the ice shifting audibly. “He’s stayed clear of this table p>
“For now,” Julian said.
Gil looked at Franz. “If he comes back, we won’t handle it the same way Alex did p>
Franz met his gaze. “If he comes back, it’s up to me p>
His tone was calm, not aggressive.
Julian observed him closely. “You’re sure of yourself p>
“I don’t get involved halfway,” Franz said.
Nate nodded and didn’t press on.
The discussion moved on to other topics—small updates, changes in the market, and minor issues that didn’t need more attention. But Dominic’s name stayed in the back of their minds, not as a big threat, but as a past issue that had tested their network.
Five years ago, Dominic looked for Arianne and couldn’t reach her.
Franz’s fingers rested against the side of his glass. The ice had nearly melted.
He didn’t say anything.
Franz was determined to keep it that way.