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CHAPTER 79 NARRATOR The quiet environment made it difficult to breathe. Rose twisted the end of her large hoodie, which belonged to Damien, while sitting cross-legged at the side of the bed, lost in her thoughts. Her chest had been constricted all day for no apparent reason, and she hadn't seen him since breakfast. The situation had shifted. Their relationship hadn't been perfect, but it had been better. When no one else was around, they shared a room and exchanged looks full of want. Now he was late. And the change in the air was like a warning to her. The door opened with a squeak. Rose’s head snapped up as Damien entered. He undid his cuff buttons slowly. His expression gave nothing away, just cool indifference painted across a handsome face. She shifted from the bed and said, "Hey." He avoided eye contact. “Don’t wait up. I’m busy,” he spat coldly. Her eyebrows went up a little in surprise. "It’s already late. And you’re still busy?” He loosened his tie and walked to th
CHAPTER 78 NARRATOR The moment Damien walked into his office, he knew something was off. It wasn’t anything obvious. No scattered papers or broken locks. A scent, too something fresh and citrusy that didn’t belong. It clung faintly to the air, barely masking the undertone of leather and aged whiskey that defined his space. His eyes narrowed. “Madison,” he called, not taking his gaze off his desk. She stepped in almost immediately, clipboard in hand. “Yes, Mr. Sterling?” “Was anyone in here before me?” Madison blinked, caught off guard. “Only the cleaning staff. And… one of the new interns came in earlier. He got turned around looking for the breakroom.” Damien’s jaw clenched. “Name.” She glanced down. “Daniel Reeds. Strategic Development track.” Damien didn’t speak for a long beat. Then, without looking at her, he stripped off his jacket and tossed it over the back of his chair. “Bring him in.” Madison hesitated. “Now?” “I said bring him in.” Damien said firmly She nodde
CHAPTER 77NARRATOR POVDonovan Sterling was being wheeled into the boardroom, a commanding aura around him despite how fragile he looked. His once-imposing frame had thinned, his hair grayer, but didn't reduce the sharp and calculating glint in his eyes. Instead everyone those terrifying orbs fell on shivered in response—except his son, Damien. A man who was like his father in every way, but a younger more stunning version. Damien’s stomach tightened. He hadn’t seen his father in months.Why the fuck was he here? He thought as his fingers fisted behind his back but his face didn't reflect the anger brewing within him.The entire boardroom went still, watching the scene unfold."Well," Donovan said, his voice raspier than Damien remembered. "Looks like I came just in time."Damien’s grip on the table tightened. "Who the hell let him in?""Watch your mouth, boy," Donovan shot back. "I may be retired, but my name is still on this company."A muscle in Damien’s jaw twitched, but he didn
CHAPTER 76 NARRATOR Rose sat there motionless, staring at her husband with shock. Damien looks at Rose with something akin to worry. Was he about to get rejected? He has summoned up the courage to pop the question tonight. Did she hate that he asked under pressure? Was she upset that he hadn't taken his time to ask in a romantic way? “Rose,” he called out again, softly. He didn't like how she was leaving him hanging with that unreadable expression on her face. “Are you—?” “Do you really mean that?” Rose asked finally, her soft voice barely above a whisper. He watched as her beautiful eyes, which always entrapped him whenever he looked long enough, filled up with tears. That's when he realized that he had shocked her to the roots. Did she really not know how he felt about her? “Yes.” He answered, his voice thick and coarse with emotion, “I mean it with every breath I take, every pulse of blood in my veins. I meant every word I just said, Rose.” Unable to control himself any lon
CHAPTER 75 ROSE’S POV “Hold on—you run that blog?” Karen’s eyes went wide. Danny’s jaw dropped. “Have mercy, woman. One bomb after the other, you're gonna give us a heart attack!” I chuckled. “Sorry,” I said, then turned to Karen. “Yes, I own the blog. I'm pretty sure that’s what I just said.” Danny gave a low whistle. “Damn. That thing’s everywhere. People are terrified.” “Good.” I stretched out on the couch, smirking. “They should be.” Karen still looked like she was processing. “You’re telling me you’re the one behind all those anonymous exposés? The politicians, the business tycoons, the models? That’s you?” “Do you need to get your ears checked?” I asked, laughing. Danny shook his head, half in awe. “Jesus. And here I was thinking you were just stress-baking when you got bored.” “Please. That blog is my therapy,” I said, rolling my eyes. “Besides, people deserve the truth.” Karen’s jaw dropped again. “Rose, you’ve been exposing criminals. Powerful criminals.” “And?” I
CHAPTER 74 ROSE’S POV I froze. One. Two. Three. Loud, sharp cracks splitting through the night. People’s screams pierced through the air as they scurried around like rabbits; cars came to a screeching halt to avoid accidents, but in a situation like this. It can't be avoided. Another shot rang in the air, and my heart skipped again before slamming against my ribs like it was ready to run for dear life. Where was it coming from? Instinct kicked in, and I ducked behind a parked car, my breath shallow. Another shot rang, closer this time. And I had this gut-wrenching feeling hit me heavily. Shit. Was I the target? Or was this just some random attack? It sure as hell didn't sound like one. Slowly, carefully, I peeked around the edge, and amid the chaos, I picked out a man. He was running, just like every other person, but the difference was that he held a gun, and he looked like he was heading towards my direction. My breath caught in my throat as the man stopped at the pl