CHAPTER ONE HUNDRED AND NINETY THREE - WHAT REMAINS

The crisis had been brewing for months, hidden beneath the surface of their internal conflicts. A combination of factors had come together to create a perfect storm: a sudden downturn in the global luxury goods market, which formed a significant portion of their business portfolio; a series of ill-advised investments made during the height of their family strife; and a delay in adapting to changing consumer trends due to their preoccupation with internal issues. One particularly disastrous investment stood out. During the period of greatest tension within the family, Alessandro had made a significant bet on a new technology startup that promised to revolutionize the luxury retail experience. The decision had been made hastily, without the usual thorough vetting process, as Alessandro had been eager to prove his business acumen to his doubting relatives. The startup had burned through cash at an alarming rate before declaring bankruptcy, leaving the De Laurentis business with a gaping