King of Greed Chapter 17: Dominic Faces Loss and Makes a Daring Decision
⚠️ Spoiler Notice
This summary contains detailed plot points from Chapter 17 of King of Greed. If you haven’t read the chapter, proceed with caution.
Summary
Dominic plays an aggressive tennis match with Dante to vent his frustration over Alessandra. Dante accidentally reveals that Alessandra is holding a farewell party—she’s moving to Brazil on a one-way ticket. Dominic is stunned; he had been giving her space but never expected her to leave permanently. At his office, he receives another threatening call from an unknown voice about his missing foster brother, Roman. The caller warns, “Keep your brother in check, or you’re next.” Unable to focus on work, Dominic realizes he can’t let Alessandra go. In an uncharacteristically impulsive move, he books a one-way flight to Brazil, determined to win her back.
Key Events
– Dominic and Dante play tennis; Dominic’s powerful, reckless shots nearly injure Dante. – Dante mentions Alessandra’s farewell party and her one-way ticket to Brazil. – Dominic learns Alessandra leased a shop in Manhattan but is still leaving indefinitely. – At the office, Dominic receives a distorted threatening call about Roman. – Dominic decides to buy a one-way ticket to Brazil instead of attending a scheduled meeting.
Character Development
– Dominic: For weeks, Dominic has been paralyzed by regret and fear of losing Alessandra. This chapter marks a turning point: he stops hiding behind work and convenience, admitting he was more afraid of losing everything else than of losing her. His purchase of the ticket is his first truly spontaneous, emotionally driven action in the novel. – Dante: Acts as a mirror to Dominic’s turmoil, offering blunt advice (“Do cheer up”). His ongoing relationship with Vivian contrasts Dominic’s loneliness. – Roman (off-page): The mysterious caller and Roman’s absence increase the tension; Dominic suspects Roman is playing games, but the threat raises the stakes.
Themes, Symbols, or Motifs
– Regret and Reckoning: Dominic reflects on how he willingly spent hours away from Alessandra, now desperate for even a moment with her. His regret fuels a radical change in behavior. – The One-Way Ticket as Motif: The one-way ticket symbolizes a permanent break, but Dominic’s own one-way ticket subverts it—he will not let the relationship end. – Tennis as Metaphor: The aggressive, uncontrolled tennis game mirrors Dominic’s inner chaos and his desire to smash through obstacles. – The Unknown Caller: Introduces an external threat related to Roman, reminding the reader that Dominic’s problems extend beyond his marriage.
Why This Chapter Matters
This chapter is the catalyst for the story’s second half. Dominic stops waiting and starts acting. His decision to follow Alessandra to Brazil shows he has finally recognized what truly matters. The parallel threat from Roman adds suspense and hints at future conflict. The chapter also deepens the theme of risking everything for love—Dominic abandons his carefully controlled life to pursue Alessandra, setting up a high-stakes reunion.
Study Questions and Answers
1. Why does Dominic react so violently during the tennis match?
He is consumed by jealousy and pain after seeing Alessandra on a date with Aiden. The tennis court becomes an outlet for his rage, but his uncontrolled shots reveal his emotional turmoil.
2. What does Dante’s accidental revelation about the farewell party accomplish?
It forces Dominic to confront the reality that Alessandra is not just visiting Brazil—she is leaving him permanently. This shock breaks his passivity and drives him to take immediate action.
3. How does the threatening phone call about Roman affect Dominic’s state of mind?
The call adds another layer of stress and suspicion. Dominic initially dismisses it as Roman’s old tricks, but the distorted voice and warning heighten his anxiety and remind him that his brother’s presence is a lingering danger.