Chapter 7 - Damian's Detachment

Damian's POV

Damian sat in the mahogany furnished conference room. Sun rays spilled through the glass windows, bouncing off the glossy table where Damian sat at the head of the table, his presence commanding respect and silence in the room. The projector made a low humming sound, casting figures, profit margins, growth charts and percentages across the screen.

The executives took turns to present, talking in voices taut with caution, knowing words they spilled could either make or destroy their career. They were men and women with Harvard diplomas, power dripping from their pens, but still they trembled under Damian's gaze.

Damian listened without blinking, his jaw visibly locked. He gave nothing away. No praise, no irritation, no questions, only an occasional nod, sharp and precise, enough to keep them confused and scared to their pants.

The meeting went on for hours, but his mind wasn't tethered to the numbers the executives were presenting.

His mind had drifted, unwillingly, to his father's voice.

“No heir. No inheritance”.

The words echoed in his ears. The ultimatum had been given weeks ago, but the words had stuck with him. Even when he was surrounded by power, wealth, and the empire that he literally built with his own hands, he felt the weight of the words.

No heir. No inheritance.

His hand flexed around the expensive Montblanc pen, knuckles pale.

When the last executive finally rounded up his presentation and stumbled to a conclusion, Damian rose, his face expressionless. “That will be all”, he said. His voice carried no emotions, yet the room emptied as if they were all being chased by something.

The doors clicked shut, leaving him alone with the silence.

Damian walked to the window, admiring the peace and serenity of the outside world, one he doesn't have. And the glass shimmering with ambition. His ambition.

And yet, his empire wasn't his. This empire wasn't his. Not until he satisfied Gregory's condition.

He hated it. He hated that even at thirty-four, with him ruling this powerful empire, his father still pulled strings on him.

What did his father expect? That he would tie himself to some woman, chain himself to marital vows, and drag an innocent child into the merciless business world of the Blackwoods?

A child.

That thought caught him off guard. His mind flickered back to the memories of his mother's voice, soft like the morning light. The only warmth his childhood experienced. He remembered her lullabies, her laughter, her arms wrapped around him in pure love. She had whispered once to his ears, when he was still small enough to fit in her arms. “Don't let him turn you into a stone, Damian. You're human, you have feelings. Never forget that”.

But stone was safer, at least stone couldn't be broken.

He turned from the window, staring into the furniture in the conference room. He loosened his tie, jaw tightened. He would not bow to Gregory's demand.

Not yet.

The office door cracked open, Damian didn't turn at first. He was used to the sound of those steps. Measured, confident, uninvited.

“Reed”, he said flatly.

His best friend and lawyer sat on the sofa with a casualness few would dare in this room. Reed loosened his tie, and eyed Damian, observing his expressionless face. “You look like you're one bad headline away from setting this place on fire”.

Damian finally turned, sparing his friend a glance, his eyes narrowing. “And?” he said flatly.

Reed smirked. “And I'd like to know whether I should start drafting the press release”.

The silence stretched between them, Damian looked back at the skyline.

“It's your father again, isn't it?” Reed's tone softened. “He's not going to let this slide, he never does.”

Damian's jaw tightened, his hands clenched into a fist on his sides.

Reed leaned forward. “I know you don't like this. But listen to me, you can fight him on everything else. But this…? This is the one thing you can't win against him. He'll cut you out. And then what?”

Damian’s eyes flickered, determination visible in them. “Then I'll start over. Without him.”

“Don't lie to yourself.” Reed's voice carried an edge of frustration. “Blackwood Enterprises isn't just a company. It's you, your blood. You've bled for this empire. And you're going to hand it all over, give it all up because you can't do the one thing he's asking?”

Damian stayed silent.

Reed's gaze softened again. “Look, I don't care how you do it. But do it, before it's too late”.

Damian's phone buzzed, slicing through the moment.

It was a call from his father.

Damian hesitated, before answering the call.

“Come to the mansion".