All Chapters of Tired of me, Mr. Taylor?: Chapter 71 - Chapter 80

Damian had read the safety report three times.Every critical component of Serena’s race car had undergone independent inspection. Laurent Motorsport had tightened security around its garage, restricted access to the vehicles, and introduced additional checks before anyone could authorize a car for competition.Theo Laurent had personally overseen the arrangements.None of it had made Damian feel better.From his position outside the garage, he watched the mechanics completing their preparations. Serena’s car stood beneath the bright overhead lights, its polished bodywork bearing the Laurent Motorsport insignia.The team had been preparing for this race long before the incident at Street Nation. Serena had received medical clearance, returned to training, and completed a supervised practice session without difficulty.The SN-R development program remained suspended while investigators examined the sabotage. Her Laurent Motorsport commitments, however, were entirely separate, and the t

“Sir! You can’t go through there!”Damian barely registered the marshal’s warning as he hurried toward the pit lane exit. Beyond the garages, emergency vehicles were already racing toward the accident site, their lights flashing against the barriers.“That’s Serena Ellis in that car,” he said, attempting to move past.The marshal stepped directly into his path. “I understand, sir, but the circuit is under red flag conditions. Nobody is permitted onto the track without authorization.”“Then get me someone who can tell me what’s happening!” His voice came out harsher than he’d intended. Serena hadn’t answered the radio. The last image he’d seen was of her motionless inside a car that barely resembled the one she’d climbed into less than an hour earlier.“Damian!”Theo caught up with him, still wearing his headset. His face was pale, and he was breathing heavily.“They’ve dispatched the medical team,” Theo said. “Race control is coordinating the response.”“Is she conscious?”Theo shook

Serena woke to the sound of someone speaking quietly outside her hospital room.She kept her eyes closed for another moment, waiting for the dull ache behind her forehead to settle. Her ribs hurt whenever she shifted, although the pain was considerably less severe than it had been the previous day.When she finally opened her eyes, Damian was still beside her.He was asleep in the chair, his head resting against the wall and his arms folded loosely across his chest. His long legs were stretched out in front of him, making the chair look even smaller than it was.Serena watched him for a moment.She’d asked him to stay, and he had. It was a simple thing, but there had been a time when Damian would have decided for himself whether remaining at her bedside was necessary.Lately, she’d noticed him making an effort to listen. He still struggled with his instinct to take charge, especially where her safety was concerned, but he was beginning to catch himself.She appreciated that more than

“Julian?”Damian studied Serena’s face, searching for some indication that he’d misunderstood her.She nodded. “Mara said your cousin was involved in paying her for information about me. My appointments, where I was going, even whether I would be participating in the race.”For a moment, Damian said nothing.He knew Julian was ambitious. He’d watched his cousin cultivate relationships with Aella’s directors, challenge decisions in meetings, and make no secret of his belief that the company needed different leadership. Damian had never underestimated him professionally.But this was something else entirely.“Did Mara speak to Julian herself?”“Once, according to her. She said he contacted her directly and told her to continue cooperating with the people paying her.”“Does she have evidence?”“Messages and payment records. I’ve already contacted Claire.”Damian drew a chair closer to the bed. His first instinct was to call Julian and demand an explanation, but doing so would accomplish

The formal notice arrived at 9:17 the following morning.Damian read it once, then set his tablet on the conference table. Julian had secured the signatures required to request an extraordinary meeting of Aella’s board. The agenda was concise: a review of executive leadership, a motion of no confidence in the chief executive, and consideration of interim succession arrangements.Malcolm stood opposite him. “The company secretary has confirmed the request is valid. The meeting is scheduled for Thursday, subject to the notice provisions. Legal is checking whether any procedural objections are warranted.”“Don’t manufacture one.”“I wasn’t suggesting we should.”“Good. If Julian wants to make his case, he’ll do it in front of the board.”Malcolm placed a second document on the table. “He’s already circulating this.”It was a presentation prepared for the directors. Damian recognized the figures from Aella’s internal reports, but not the conclusions Julian had drawn from them. The abandon