Chapter 36 – Confrontations, Codes, and Heartbeats

The first light of morning barely kissed the city skyline when May arrived at the company. She stepped out of the sleek black car, her heels clicking on the marble floor of the lobby. Employees paused to glance at her—some in admiration, some in quiet envy. But her eyes were set firmly on the path ahead: the boardroom. Today, Evelyn had made her intentions clear with a veiled digital threat, and May knew this was the day confrontation would come.

Damien had walked her to the building, but he left her at the doors, a private nod of trust exchanged between them. “Remember,” he whispered, “whatever happens… I’ve got your back.”

“I know,” May replied, her lips curving into a confident, calm smile. “Let’s handle this.”

The elevator doors closed behind her with a soft chime. She took a deep breath, running through the day’s plan in her mind. Evelyn’s digital manipulations had been subtle so far, but May was ready. S-Coded wasn’t just a skill—it was an art, and today, she intended to show it without revealing her identity.

The boardroom was already tense when she entered. Evelyn was there, impeccably dressed, her smile sharp as a knife. She had invited herself under the pretense of a casual meeting, but May could smell the venom behind her carefully curated politeness.

“May,” Evelyn said, voice syrupy but cutting. “I’ve heard so much about you. Damien speaks so highly… though I do wonder if it’s entirely accurate.”

May’s smile was serene, almost serene enough to hide the storm she felt rising inside. “Compliments are always appreciated, Evelyn. And I trust our time today will clarify any doubts.”

Evelyn’s lips tightened. “Oh, it will, I assure you. I have certain… concerns about how you manage the company, the children… everything. After all, someone so… young, so capable, might overlook details.”

May’s gaze met hers, steady and unshakable. “I assure you, my focus is unwavering. The children are safe, the company is running smoothly, and nothing you do—or say—will compromise that.”

A hush fell over the room as the tension between them thickened. Employees sitting around the boardroom table shifted uneasily, sensing the collision of two powerful wills.

Later, Evelyn attempted a more direct move. Using her access to the company’s digital systems—legally permitted by her position—she tried subtly redirecting sensitive data to make May look negligent. Files disappeared, approvals stalled, and alarms were triggered.

May, as usual, was prepared. She excused herself politely, retreating to a quiet office where her encrypted laptop awaited. Her fingers moved almost too quickly to see, executing flawless code that restored the missing files, blocked Evelyn’s digital interference, and even traced the source of the manipulation without leaving a trace.

When she returned, the boardroom seemed normal, as if nothing had happened. Evelyn’s eyes narrowed, realizing the move had failed without any apparent explanation.

Meanwhile, Daxton was stepping up his pressure. He called Damien that afternoon, asking to speak about the children’s “future and stability.” His tone was polite but icy.

“Daxton, the children are thriving,” Damien said cautiously.

“They are,” Daxton replied. “But they are young. Innocence does not protect them from exposure to… influence. I need assurances that May’s management does not expose them to risk.”

Damien’s jaw tightened. “They are my top priority. And May—”

“She is impressive,” Daxton interrupted. “But impressive is not always safe. I need more than promises. I need results.”

Damien exhaled, frustration and respect tangled in his chest. “We will handle it. Together.”

At home that evening, May prepared dinner with the children laughing around her. Aria skipped to the kitchen counter, peering at the plates.

“Mum, how did you make the homework glitch disappear today? Mr. Connor said the files were gone!”

May smiled faintly, brushing a loose strand of hair from her daughter’s face. “Just a little magic, sweetheart. Nothing you need to worry about.”

Aiden tilted his head, eyes wide. “Like superhero magic?”

“Something like that,” May said, pressing a kiss to his temple. “But it’s only for emergencies.”

Damien watched them from the doorway, heart swelling with admiration. He crossed the room silently and pressed a hand to May’s shoulder.

“You are extraordinary,” he whispered. “And the kids… they see it too.”

May leaned into him, resting her head briefly on his chest. “I couldn’t do any of this without you.”

He pressed a soft kiss to her temple, brushing his lips along her skin. “We’re in this together. Always.”

That night, after tucking Aria and Aiden into bed, Damien found May in the living room, quietly sipping tea. The tension from the day still lingered, an invisible weight in the air.

“You handled Evelyn well today,” Damien murmured, walking toward her.

“She tried,” May replied, calm but with a glimmer of fire in her eyes. “But she underestimated me.”

Damien pulled her close, holding her in a protective embrace. “I love how fierce you are. I love that nothing shakes you.”

“And I love how you trust me,” she said softly. “Even when things get… complicated.”

Their lips met slowly, deliberately, tasting the warmth and comfort of shared love. The kiss deepened, gentle yet electric, carrying the promise of trust, passion, and unspoken understanding.

Damien’s hands slid around her waist, pulling her closer, while hers rested on his chest, feeling the steady rhythm of his heartbeat.

“We’re stronger than anything they can throw at us,” he whispered.

“Yes,” May replied. “Stronger… together.”

Meanwhile, Evelyn was plotting her next move. She scrolled through digital reports, quietly enraged by May’s flawless counters. But she didn’t act rashly—she was patient, calculating, and determined to find the perfect moment to strike.

Daxton, observing the growing closeness of Damien, May, and the children, realized the woman he had been testing was far beyond what he had imagined. He admired her. He feared her. And he knew that, for the first time in decades, someone might challenge not only his authority but his influence over his grandchildren.

The next day, the family decided to spend the evening together, away from company pressures and threats. Aria and Aiden begged to go for a simple night walk in the garden. May and Damien agreed, holding their hands as the children ran ahead, laughter echoing into the evening air.

“This… this is what matters,” Damien said softly, his eyes on May.

“Yes,” she whispered. “The children. Love. Us.”

Aria skipped ahead, turning back. “Mum… can we play the coding game later? Like S-Coded?”

May’s lips curved into a small, mysterious smile. “Maybe. But only if you promise to keep it a secret.”

Aiden ran to her side. “I’ll help, Mum!”

May pressed a soft kiss to his forehead. “I know you will, little hero.”

Later that night, as the children slept peacefully, Damien and May shared another quiet, intimate moment. Sitting on the balcony under the stars, Damien’s hand intertwined with hers, they let the world fall away.

“You’re incredible,” he murmured. “Every day, you amaze me.”

“And you make it worth it,” May replied softly, resting her head against his shoulder.

He pressed his lips to her hair. “I never thought I could love anyone this much.”

“You do,” she whispered. “And I do too.”

Their hearts beat in unison, a private rhythm that no test, threat, or challenge could disrupt.

Back in the shadows, Evelyn clenched her fists. “They think they’re untouchable,” she muttered. “But everyone has a weakness. And I will find theirs.”

Daxton, watching from the estate grounds, exhaled slowly. “She’s stronger than I imagined,” he admitted to himself. “Stronger… than anyone.”

And in that delicate balance of love, power, and secrecy, May, Damien, Aria, and Aiden held tight to each other—ready to face whatever storms came next.