[27]

“Can't I accompany you?” asked Victor as he returned the file he had been studying for a moment to the table where they were discussing. “This is not an easy thing to handle. Sezhya Harbor is quite a hassle for someone who has never been there.”

Damian sat in his plush chair. Leaning back with his arms folded in front of his chest, but his body no longer looked relaxed. His eyes are narrowed, full of sharp judgment, looking at Victor with a cold and dissatisfied expression. His lips thinned, his facial lines tense, as if every muscle on his face showed restrained impatience. His right hand then moved slowly, tapping the surface of the table with his fingertips, the rhythm of his tapping slow but steady-like an unspoken warning.

“You underestimate me?”

Even though Victor was used to talking to Damian and knew how the man looked including when Damian seemed annoyed by his words, he still had the fear that Damian and his existence were big enough to intimidate. “Not at all.”

Damian chuckled softly. The glare in his condescending eyes was enough to make the atmosphere of the room heavy, almost unbearable. His shoulders leaned forward slightly, implying that he was no longer merely watching but ready to pounce at any moment. With a raised eyebrow, as if mocking his usual opponent, he said, “Do your part.”

“Okay.” Victor raised his hands, giving in to Damian's stubbornness. “But don't refuse anything I prepare for you.”

Damian did not respond other than to pick up his glass of wine and shake it gently. Savoring the slight taste that reached the surface of his lips as the thick, red liquid was brought closer to his mouth. “Marcus knows best what I like.”

Victor chuckled. “If he doesn't know the best wines, you can remove him as the chairman of the Catterpilar Club.”

“And you can't get your hands on the latest toys Marcus used to prepare.” Damian shook his wine glass again, staring unblinkingly at the liquid that moved with his hand. “What do you think Leonard will do about that important shipment?”

Victor straightens up a bit. He wanted to argue about the toy Damian had mentioned. Despite not being supplied by Marcus, Victor Wyatt didn't have to bother pleasing himself with a bunch of girls and a big party. They all happily and cheerfully welcomed him. But this time, the conversation was diverted to the main topic and that made Victor a little worried.

“In addition to checking the quality of the incoming goods, I believe your uncle has smuggled a few boxes for himself.”

“How much did we lose?” The glass was soon empty in one gulp. Damian and wine were inseparable.

“I don't have a detailed and exact count, as Kayoko is more skilled at calculating your losses. Why don't you ask Kayoko to visit?”

Damian glanced sarcastically at Victor. “Her visit cost the price of a Bentley Continental GT.”

Victor laughed. “Seriously. Sawyer Group's chief financial officer is like a loan shark.”

Damian leaned back. “The last time Kayoko gave a report, what Leonard has done has had quite an impact. In the past two years, the losses were estimated at hundreds of thousands of dollars. Leonard's assets have also increased over time but the only thing that's horrible compared to asset ownership,”

Victor picked up the file he had placed on the table. “Is this related to our losses?”

Damian nodded without hesitation. “But it looks like you do need to make an appointment with the showroom. We'll ask Kayoko to come from Germany. Make sure all her needs are met, if necessary, prepare a separate room for her to work in.”

Victor laughed again and this time, his laughter was truly satisfied at Damian's defeat of Kayoko. The orange-haired girl was jovial and talkative but the intelligence she possessed was truly reliable when it came to finances.

The Sawyer group was led directly by Damian. A very charismatic person and known as a successful businessman with many lines of companies moving under his control. And the only 'Joker' who cannot be touched by either the law or a group of people who want to take advantage of him.

Damian Sawyer entrusted two important things to his best friend. And the most crucial part is controlled by his youngest sister. The only sister Damian has and loves dearly. That's why Kayoko Sawyer is never in the same place as Damian. The girl managed the Sawyer Group's finances remotely. Sorting out which part of Damian's business was in the natural world of a businessman, or Damian's business that involved a lot of lawlessness.

“Have you heard from Harold?” Victor is slightly distracted by the vibrating cell phone in his pocket but when he sees who it is, Victor's smile grows very thin.

“No,” Damian replies immediately. “What did he say?”

“Clues.” Victor showed him the message Harold had sent. “But I think I'll take care of it. Don't let Marcus take a hand. I don't want to be asked to bring the dead body home if anything happens." He quickly pocketed his cell phone without Damian having time to look at it in detail.

Damian just snorted in displeasure. It was all too common for Victor to be arbitrary at times but what the brown-haired man said was true. If Marcus knew the latest info from Harold - because it involved Kenzo and his death which still held a question mark. “Do what you're supposed to do, Victor.”

“Take it easy.” Victor leaned back casually. “Are you sure you don't want to do something today?”

“You should see Lidia. Make sure Miya doesn't fall behind in her studies.”

Victor gaped. “Are you... seriously asking me to do that?”

At the same time, the door to Damian's study burst open. The person Marcus was holding, no... pulling Miya's hand, entered the room. With an innocent grin and ignoring Damian's sardonic glare. Oh, and don't forget the annoyed look from Victor for casually interrupting their conversation.

“Why aren't you ready yet?” Marcus asked cheerfully. “Oh, sorry Miya-Miya. I was too excited this afternoon.”

Miya felt like hitting Marcus hard on the head. Even if necessary, until the man screamed in pain. But what the heck, their bodies were already much different. Miya's height was only about Marcus' shoulders, not to mention Marcus' well-built stature and quite a lot of muscle. It wasn't easy to make the gray-black haired man fall. In fact, if Miya imagined, she would be the one who would fall if she threw a punch at Marcus' body.

“What do I need to prepare?” asked Victor with a puzzled frown. Then as soon as his eyes fell on Miya, who was already dressed in her riding clothes... Victor was even more clueless about what was happening.

Unlike Damian who immediately stood up, approaching Miya's who seemed to be inching in fear because Damian's gaze looked like a hunter.

“Wait... Wait, Mr. Sawyer. I chose to dress modestly. You don't have to be-”

Damian's hands, which were large and burly, reached out and touched the tips of Miya's ears. It delivered a touch like a powerful electric shock. The only thing Miya could think of was that the hand would soon be on the back of her head. Asking Miya to get closer and stay in position-making it easier for Damian to crush her parted lips. Unfortunately...

“You want to horse ride?”

Miya's hair tie just slipped out. In such a close distance, Miya was again presented with a heavenly view. How handsome and gorgeous Damian Sawyer is who Miya often adores in her heart. His eyelashes are quite thick for a man. His eyebrows are neatly lined up with two moles on the top right. His eyes were as black as the night. His bushy hair was slightly curled, and the tip touched his forehead on the left. Not to mention his tall and towering body, his broad shoulders-comfortable for Miya to lean on. And what made Miya unable to blink her eyes for a moment; the lips that had just asked a question that made Miya confused.

“Didn't you want to go horse riding this afternoon?”

“Who said that?” Damian grinned slightly. He gave Miya's flushed cheeks a little caress. “But I guess... horse riding is the right thing to do today.” The man turned to Victor. “You haven't been out riding Velish for a while, have you?”

Victor immediately got up from his seat. “I wouldn't turn it down.” He asked the butler to prepare everything about riding this afternoon. “And I won't thank you, Marcus, for the crazy idea for today.”

“I just want to have fun with Miya-Miya. You're not needed during the horse ride, Victor."

The argument between the two of them resumed. But Damian didn't care because he was already walking ahead of them while holding Miya. The blonde-haired girl occasionally turned her head and watched the debate - more precisely, the argument between them. Then Miya unconsciously gave a small laugh at the debate between the two friends.

“What's so funny?” asked Damian while glancing at Miya. Truly, the girl whose hand he was holding was very charming in her riding clothes. Even though she was only wearing an emerald-green blazer, high boots, and tights that were comfortable enough to keep the sun off her skin.

“Nothing.” Miya smiled cheerfully. “I should thank Marcus for getting me out of study session.”

Damian chuckled. “You won't be able to escape if I'm your mentor tomorrow.”

“What?” Miya immediately gave a look full of shock at Damian's words. “You... aren't joking, are you?”

“Do I look like I'm joking?”