What the executives of Blackwood Dominion hadn’t anticipated...

was that just a week after the CEO position changed hands—

Chairwoman Roseline would suddenly pass away. 𝗳𝐫𝚎𝗲𝚠𝚎𝗯𝕟𝐨𝘃𝚎𝗹.𝗰𝗼𝗺

In almost the same time,the two pillars of Blackwood Dominion were gone.

The impact on the company was immediate.

Not only did the stock price fail to stabilize, but it plummeted even further.

The market’s confidence in the company weakened drastically, especially since the newly appointed leadership lacked the authority and influence Alexander once carried.

A large number of shareholders began selling off their stocks in panic.

Even some members of the board started growing restless.

The atmosphere within Blackwood Dominion became increasingly unstable.

That same day, Tristin Blackwood also arrived at the memorial service.

Considering everything that had happened between him and Alexander before, his presence felt somewhat awkward.

Still, no one openly mentioned it.

After paying his respects to Roseline, Tristin approached Alexander quietly.

"I need to speak with you."

Alexander glanced at him briefly.

At a time like this, he had no interest in discussing anything unrelated to the funeral.

But Tristin remained unusually persistent.

Eventually, Alexander followed him outside.

The moment they stepped into the quieter hallway, Alexander spoke first.

"What is it?"

Tristin hesitated briefly before answering.

"It’s about the company."

Alexander’s brows furrowed faintly.

"What about it?"

"You’ve seen the situation online," Tristin said quietly. "Ever since you stepped down, the company’s condition has been getting worse."

"That’s no longer my concern."

Alexander’s voice remained calm and indifferent.

Tristin gave a dry laugh before lowering his gaze.

"You know... when Grandpa chose to hand the company over to you back then, I honestly thought he was just favoring you."

"When he transferred me overseas to manage the branch company, I worked desperately hard because I wanted to prove he made the wrong choice."

His expression turned bitter.

"But no matter how hard I tried..."

"You were always ahead of me."

"And I couldn’t accept it."

His fists tightened slightly.

"That’s how I became greedy."

"And how I ended up in this situation."

Alexander remained silent.

But inwardly, he wasn’t surprised by Tristin’s words.

Grandma used to say that if someone was truly suited for something, then no matter how much others tried to take it away—

it would eventually return to them.

Alexander didn’t believe the CEO position belonged solely to him.

But he did understand one thing clearly.

Managing an empire like Blackwood Dominion required someone decisive.

Someone capable of making difficult decisions without allowing emotions or outside influences to cloud judgment.

And unfortunately...

Tristin wasn’t that kind of person.

He was too easily influenced emotionally.

Just like when Daniel Caldwell manipulated him into making reckless choices.

But now...

Alexander no longer had any interest in returning.

He had already made up his mind.

Beyond Blackwood Dominion, he still had several private investments and businesses unknown to the public.

And now, for the first time in years, he wanted to focus his energy elsewhere—

on Alicia...

and the family they were slowly building together.

After a long silence, Alexander finally sighed softly.

"Tristin," he said calmly, "you do have the ability to lead the company."

Tristin looked up slightly in surprise.

"I’ve worked with you before. I know what you’re capable of."

"You handled the overseas branch well."

Alexander paused briefly before continuing,

"The only thing you need to learn... is not to let other people influence your decisions."

Tristin immediately understood what Alexander truly meant.

A trace of shame crossed his face.

Alexander continued calmly,

"I’m no longer interested in the company."

"Since the executives and shareholders already placed their trust in you, then prove to them they made the right choice."

"With proper planning and better judgment, you can stabilize everything."

After saying that, Alexander simply patted Tristin lightly on the shoulder.

Then, without waiting for another response—

he turned and walked away.

Tristin stood rooted in place long after Alexander walked away.

His mind was still in complete shock.

He had always believed Alexander was power-hungry.

The calmness he carried, the composure, the decisiveness—

Tristin once assumed all of it merely hid ambition beneath the surface.

But now he finally realized he had been wrong all along.

What Alexander had hidden beneath that cold exterior...

was gentleness.

The fact that Alexander was willing to walk away from the CEO position so easily—

all because of Alicia—

was something Tristin never could have imagined.

At the same time, guilt quietly surfaced within him.

Daniel had influenced him into making countless wrong decisions over the years.

If he hadn’t listened to him...

If he had returned to Velaridge City earlier...

perhaps none of this would have happened.

But regrets changed nothing.

There were no "what ifs" anymore.

Now, the only thing left for him to do...

was find a way to make up for his mistakes.

Meanwhile—

As Alexander walked back inside, he suddenly spotted Alicia standing near the hallway entrance.

His expression immediately changed.

"Where are you going?" he asked as he quickly walked over to her.

Concern was obvious in his voice.

"I was looking for you," Alicia replied calmly.

Alexander frowned slightly as he instinctively moved to support her.

"You’re still not stable enough to walk around alone," he said quietly. "You should’ve just called me."

"I know," Alicia replied softly.

"But I also wanted to walk around a little."

A faint helplessness appeared in her eyes.

"Staying in one place all day is exhausting."

Although Alicia no longer needed the wheelchair constantly, Alexander still refused to let her move around too much.

Over the past three days, he had barely slept.

Between handling the funeral arrangements and receiving guests nonstop, exhaustion was beginning to show clearly on his face.

The faint darkness beneath his eyes made Alicia pause slightly.

"You haven’t eaten yet, have you?" she asked quietly.

Alexander glanced at her briefly.

"Not yet."

Then he lowered his gaze toward her.

"Are you feeling uncomfortable anywhere? If you are, I’ll have someone take you back first."

"I’m fine," Alicia said softly.

Then after a pause, she added,

"You’ve been busy for days now. Since you finally have a moment, go eat something."

Alexander continued guiding her toward the lounge.

"These past few days have been stressful," he admitted quietly. "After the burial, I’ll take you for another checkup."

"Mm."

Alicia understood what he meant.

"I already ate," she said softly. "You should eat by yourself. I’ll just stay here for a while."

But Alexander ignored her protest completely.

"Stay with me," he said calmly. "Eat a little more..."