With anger, Antonio disconnected the telephone, preventing any further calls. As the calls stopped, the emails started pouring in. Antonio's computer screen was filled with messages from companies backing out of their partnerships with Luca Enterprises.
"We regret to inform you that we will no longer be working with Luca Enterprises..."
"We can't continue our partnership with a company led by someone who has been publicly rejected by their mate..."
Antonio's eyes scanned the messages, his heart sinking with each one. His company was on the brink of collapse, all because of his failure.
He slumped back in his chair, feeling like he'd been punched in the gut. How was he going to recover from this? Antonio couldn't shake the thought of what the pack elders would say about the scandal. He knew an impromptu meeting could be called at any moment. Their judgment could be the final blow. This was all too much for him to deal with alone.
Antonio's mind raced as he thought about the companies that had abandoned him. They had profited from their partnerships with Luca Enterprises, and yet they were so quick to turn their backs on him. He couldn't understand why they couldn't just trust him to handle his personal life. It wasn't like his rejection by Olivia had affected his ability to lead the company.
As he sat there, feeling defeated, he couldn't help but think of Richard Industries, the largest shareholder in Luca Enterprises. If they were to back out, it would be the final nail in the coffin. Luca Enterprises would be on the brink of bankruptcy, struggling to pay off loans and damages.
Antonio stood up abruptly, his chair scraping against the floor.
Will I lose everything I had built will my sweat?
Is everything I had worked for all my life going to crumble because of a mere rejection?
Antonio's heart sank at the thought. He had always been proud of what he had built, and the thought of losing it all was unbearable. He silently hoped that Richard Industries would stand by him, that they would see beyond the personal scandal and recognize the value of their partnership.
"Beep, beep!" came the ring from his personal phone. Antonio lazily picked up his phone from the table and brought it close to his ears.
"Hello, Alpha Antonio," the caller greeted. "It's Mr Sam from Richard Enterprises."
Antonio's heart skipped a bit. This was it. This was the call that would determine the fate of Luca Enterprises.
He took a deep breath, trying to sound calm and confident.
"Mr. Sam, thank you for calling. I've been expecting to hear from you."
"I'm afraid I have some bad news," Mr. Sam said, his voice firm but sympathetic. "Antonio, we've decided to re-evaluate our position. The scandal has raised concerns about your leadership. We need a stable and focused partner."
Is this really the end for me? Antonio thought.
"I understand," Antonio said, trying to keep his voice steady. "Are you also backing out because of the scandal? We've always had a good relationship, and I thought our partnership was mutually beneficial."
"It's not about the partnership itself, Antonio," Mr. Sam said. "It's about the...distractions. The scandal with Olivia has raised some concerns about your leadership. We need a stable and focused partner, and right now, Luca Enterprises doesn't seem to be that."
Antonio felt a surge of anger and frustration, but he knew he had to keep his cool. He had to convince Mr. Sam to give him another chance.
"I understand your concerns, Mr. Sam. But I assure you, I am fully committed to Luca Enterprises. I will do whatever it takes to restore your trust and confidence in our partnership."
There was a pause on the other end of the line, and for a moment, Antonio wondered if he had lost the connection.
"Hello Mr Sam, can you hear me? Hello"
"Antonio, I'm with you," Mr. Sam said finally. "We'll give you a chance only if you can prove yourself. You need to show us that you can put the company first, more than anything else. Is that clear?"
"Yes, Mr Sam, thank you very much. I promise not to let you down" Antonio replied, dropping the phone as Mr Sam ended the call.
Antonio bit his lower lip as he thought about Olivia and her public rejection of him. The memory of it still stung, but it was no longer about his pride. The rejection had set off a chain reaction, causing his business partners to lose faith in him and pull out of their deals. Luca Enterprises was on the brink of collapse, and Antonio's thirst for revenge was now driven by his desire to save Luca Enterprises.
He thought about the calls he had received, the emails he had read, and the canceled meetings with new sponsors and partners. All of them had said the same thing: "We can't work with someone who has been publicly rejected by their mate."
Antonio's anger grew as he remembered the words. He had always been proud of the person he had become, making it to the top all by himself, but now his pride had been shattered by his mate. If Luca Enterprises would crumble because of Olivia, then he had to take her down with him. But for now, he needed to restore his reputation and save his company.
He pulled out a small note from his desk chest and flipped the pages to a blank page.
"First things first," he thought to himself, reaching out for his ball pen.
"Hit the gym."
I need to get my body and mind in top shape. I need to be focused, driven and ruthless. I won't be defeated. I'll rise above this and I will take my revenge.
Antonio's pen moved swiftly across the paper as he wrote down his plans, his mind racing with plans and strategies.
A few moments later, Antonio was done planning out his revenge. His eyes gleamed with determination as he read over his plans.
"See you soon, my sassy mate."
Antonio tucked the note back into the desk chest drawer and headed out of his office with an evil smile across his face.
"I'll be in the gym," he said, walking past Jerome.
The gym was empty, its cool air causing goosebumps on Antonio's skin as he pulled off his suit. Antonio grabbed the dumbbell, feeling the familiar strain in his muscles as he lifted. Each rep was a battle, his mind focused on pushing through the pain. Sweat dripped from his brow, but he didn't stop. He needed to rebuild his strength, both physically and mentally.
Hours later, Antonio left the gym, his body aching but his mind clear. As he drove back to the pack house, he received a pop-up message from the head elder of the pack house, calling for an impromptu meeting. He pulled into the driveway, his cars swallowed by the already lined up cars, signaling that the elders had arrived.
Antonio let out a deep sigh as he walked to the door and pushed the door open.