Chapter 4 - WHAT DAMIAN NEVER SAID“Get security.”
Damian’s voice was quiet.
That was when Elena knew things had become serious.
Marcus Reed, Damian’s chief of security, arrived within minutes.
“Lock down the office wing,” Damian ordered. “Preserve every camera feed for the last year. Call the bank’s fraud team. And get Rachel.”
Rachel Kim was Damian’s attorney.
She arrived before anyone could finish arguing.
Vanessa stared at Damian.
“You're treating me like a criminal.”
“I’m treating four-point-eight million unexplained dollars like four-point-eight million unexplained dollars.”
Elena tried to leave.
Mia was exhausted.
She needed her bed.
Her stuffed rabbit.
A world where nobody talked about millions.
Damian stopped her gently.
“Elena.”
She turned.
“I’m sorry.”
“For what?”
“For not seeing this sooner.”
Elena looked toward Vanessa.
“You weren't supposed to.”
Damian frowned.
“People like her make sure the cruelty happens where important people can't see it.”
Vanessa laughed bitterly.
“People like me?”
Elena finally looked directly at her.
“Yes.”
She held Mia tighter.
“People who think kindness is something you perform when someone powerful is watching.”
Nobody answered.
Elena carried Mia back to the staff cottage.
Twenty minutes later, someone knocked.
Damian stood outside holding a small white bakery box.
“I know this doesn't fix anything.”
Mia peeked from behind Elena’s leg.
“What is it?”
“A cake.”
“For Mama?”
“For both of you.”
Mia considered him.
“Is it the most expensive?”
Damian crouched.
“No.”
“Why?”
“The bakery said the chocolate one tastes better.”
Mia nodded solemnly.
“Good choice.”
Elena laughed despite herself.
Damian smiled.
For a moment, the terrifying billionaire disappeared.
There was only a tired man standing outside a small cottage holding a cake.
Then his phone rang.
His smile vanished.
He answered.
“Marcus?”
Elena watched his face change.
“What do you mean deleted?”
Damian listened.
Then looked directly at Elena.
“The security footage outside Vanessa’s room was erased thirty minutes ago.”
Elena's stomach dropped.
“By who?”
Damian lowered the phone.
“According to the system log…”
May you like
He looked at her.
“By your employee code.”
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