King of Greed Chapter 21: Dominic’s Memories of First Love and a Painful Present
Spoiler Notice
This section reveals plot details from Chapter 21 of King of Greed. If you haven’t finished the chapter, proceed with caution.
Summary
In Buzios, Dominic obsesses over Alessandra, who lives next door but remains guarded. A flashback to their Thayer days shows Alessandra tutoring him, celebrating his exam success, and accepting his first date invitation. In the present, Dominic joins a diving lesson he knows Alessandra has booked. She is distant but reveals she has conquered her fear of the ocean, having learned to dive alone after their separation. After the dive, Dominic reads an article about a university wing named for Professor David Ehrlich, his mentor. This triggers a deeper memory: Alessandra comforting him after Ehrlich’s death and giving him an engraved lighter inscribed “Liefs voor altijd, Ále.” The lighter becomes a symbol of enduring love and Dominic’s remorse.
Key Events
- Dominic counts the hours since his dinner with Alessandra and watches her from a distance.
- Flashback: Alessandra meets Dominic after his final exam, hugs him in celebration, and he asks her on their first date.
- Present: Dominic shows up at the same diving class as Alessandra, claiming coincidence but having learned her plans from Marcelo.
- During the boat ride, Dominic tries to connect; Alessandra mentions she learned to dive while on a solo trip.
- The dive itself is peaceful; Alessandra moves confidently underwater, impressing Dominic.
- After the dive, Dominic returns to his villa and reads about the David Ehrlich Memorial Wing at Thayer.
- Flashback: Alessandra feeds Dominic a sandwich during his grief and gives him a silver lighter engraved with “Voor Dom – Liefs voor altijd, Ále.”
Character Development
Dominic
This chapter strips away his usual arrogance. He admits his past blindness and expresses genuine regret for missing milestones in Alessandra’s life. His stuttering, awkward attempts to talk to her reveal vulnerability he rarely shows. The memory of Ehrlich’s death underscores his emotional depth, while the lighter reminds him that Alessandra once gave him light during his darkest time.
Alessandra
She appears more relaxed and independent in Buzios, a contrast to the tense woman we saw in New York. By facing her fear of deep water alone after the divorce, she proves she has grown beyond Dominic. Her guarded reactions show she still cares but is unwilling to trust him easily.
Themes, Symbols, or Motifs
Memory and Regret
Dominic’s entire perspective in this chapter is filtered through memory. The flashbacks to Thayer and Ehrlich’s funeral emphasize what he failed to cherish at the time. His regret is palpable: “I had been supposed to be there.”
Facing Fears
Alessandra’s decision to learn scuba diving after the divorce symbolizes her broader journey of confronting what scares her. Dominic’s pride in her achievement is bittersweet because he was not part of it.
The Engraved Lighter
The lighter serves as a concrete token of Alessandra’s love and support. Dominic still carries it, indicating that even though the marriage is over, the emotional bond endures.
Why This Chapter Matters
Chapter 21 deepens Dominic’s perspective, balancing his present‑day pursuit of Alessandra with crucial backstory. The flashbacks humanize him: we see his gratitude toward Alessandra for helping him pass his exams, and his grief over Ehrlich’s death shows that his emotional armour is not impenetrable. The dive sequence acts as a metaphor—Alessandra has moved on, learning to navigate her own depths. This chapter locks in the central conflict: Dominic wants to prove he has changed, but Alessandra has already changed without him.
Study Questions and Answers
1. Why does Dominic join the same diving class as Alessandra, and how does she react?
Dominic learns from her brother Marcelo that she booked a beginners’ dive and deliberately signs up. Alessandra sees through his claim of coincidence and responds with cool skepticism, though she does not walk away. Her guarded politeness shows she is not ready to believe his motives.
2. What role does Professor David Ehrlich play in Dominic’s emotional world?
Ehrlich was Dominic’s mentor and the closest thing to a father figure. He convinced Dominic to take tutoring, which led to meeting Alessandra, and helped him start his company. Ehrlich’s death devastated Dominic, and the memorial wing brings that grief to the surface, reinforcing his regret over lost connections.
3. How does the engraved lighter function as a symbol in this chapter?
The lighter, given by Alessandra after Ehrlich’s funeral, symbolizes her unwavering support and the “light” she brought into Dominic’s darkness. Its reappearance in his present‑day possession shows that he clings to that memory, even as their relationship remains fractured.