"Babe… what's the plan?" Janaya asked softly, turning to look at him.
This time, she wasn't holding his hand.
Damian noticed immediately.
He reached out, gently cupping her cheek, his thumb brushing lightly across her skin.
"Is that worry I'm seeing on your face?" he asked calmly. "Don't worry about it. I'll handle everything."
Janaya exhaled, but the tension didn't fully leave her.
"Jason made it sound like it's a really big deal," she admitted. "I'm… bothered. I don't want anything to go wrong because of me."
There was a brief pause.
Then—
"That's because Ethan is my stepbrother, babe."
Janaya froze.
"What?" Her eyes widened. "How?"
Damian sighed lightly, leaning back a little.
"I told you about my mom… her new husband?" he said. "Ethan is his first son."
Janaya's lips parted slightly.
"So… your stepfather is Evereck Cole?" she asked, still trying to process it.
Damian gave a small shrug.
"I guess so," he said casually. "Although my actual father is still very much alive."
She almost smiled—but the weight of everything still sat heavy on her chest.
"I'm scared, Damian…"
This time, she didn't hold back. She stepped into him, wrapping her arms around him tightly.
He didn't hesitate.
"I've got you," he murmured, holding her close. "Trust me."
After a moment, he pulled back slightly, his tone shifting just a little.
"Now… let's eat."
Without warning, he lifted her.
"Damian!" she gasped, half-laughing as he carried her into the room.
The food had already been set—neatly arranged by the maids.
He placed her down gently.
Then, as he picked up his spoon, he spoke again—
"You might have to move in here for a while."
Janaya paused mid-motion.
"Wait… what?" she asked, slowly dropping her cutlery. "Why?"
Her brows pulled together.
"Has it gotten that bad?"
Damian didn't miss the fear in her voice.
But he masked it.
"No, babe. It's not about Ethan," he said smoothly. "I just… want you around."
A small pause.
"And besides…" he added, looking at her, "you're mine now."
That did it.
The tension in her shoulders eased almost instantly.
"Okay… my lord," she said with a soft smile. "I'll start preparing to move."
Damian didn't smile.
"I want it done immediately. As soon as tomorrow."
Janaya blinked.
Then narrowed her eyes slightly.
"You're being bossy again," she said, folding her arms. "I don't like that part of you."
A pause.
"Actually… I'm not moving in again."
Damian sighed.
Then switched instantly.
"Okay, okay… I'm sorry," he said, raising his hands slightly in surrender. "Please, my babe… can you move in with me?"
He stepped closer.
"I'll even send people to help you pack tomorrow."
Janaya tried to hold her stance.
Tried.
"Arghhhh… okay," she gave in, shaking her head. "But I need to sleep early."
She covered the food and walked toward the bed.
Damian watched her go—
A faint smile on his lips.
But behind it?
Calculation.
Because this wasn't just about wanting her close anymore.
It was about keeping her safe.
The next day wasn't as simple as it seemed.
As soon as Damian sent a team of maids and guards to assist Janaya with packing her things, he left.
No hesitation.
No distractions.
"Fred. Nico. Let's get to work."
They didn't ask questions.
Within minutes, they were in the car—speeding off.
"Fred, check the list of shareholders with high voting power in Aureum Holdings," Damian said, his voice calm but firm. "We move now."
"I already did that last night, sir," Fred replied, scrolling through his tablet. "There are five major players. But we're only familiar with two—Sir Benson and Jacob Greg."
Nico kept his eyes on the road, steady.
"Sir Benson's company recently went bankrupt," he added. "The scandal about his illegitimate son ruined his reputation. He's the easiest target right now."
Damian didn't look up immediately.
"Send him an offer," he said.
A pause.
"Increase the value by fifty percent."
Fred turned sharply.
"Fifty percent, sir?" he asked, surprised. "I suggest we start with ten… then negotiate upward if necessary."
Damian finally looked up.
"Power doesn't beg, Fred. It positions."
A brief silence filled the car.
"Give him twenty percent," Damian corrected smoothly. "And don't let him sense desperation."
Fred nodded immediately.
"Yes, sir."
Nico spoke again.
"But sir, Benson's voting power is still small compared to Ethan's father."
Damian leaned back slightly, eyes returning to the file in his hand.
"We start small," he said. "Then we build pressure."
Another pause.
"Fred—inform Paul to liquidate funds from Virex Global."
Fred typed quickly.
"Yes, sir."
Damian continued, flipping a page.
"The names I circled—reach out to them. I want personal meetings."
He paused.
"Offer them forty percent profit on the deal."
Even Fred hesitated this time—but said nothing.
Damian closed the file.
"We don't have time to play safe."
The car pulled into the headquarters moments later.
A towering structure of glass and steel—cold, controlled, powerful.
As Damian stepped out, Fred's phone buzzed.
"Sir," Fred said quickly, catching up with him, "two of them rejected the offer… but the other five agreed."
Damian didn't stop walking.
"What time do we schedule the meeting?"
"4:00 PM tomorrow," Damian replied without hesitation.
They stepped into the elevator.
The doors slid shut.
"We need to secure as much voting power as possible…" he added, his voice dropping slightly, his eyes hardened—
"Before Ethan makes his move."
Damian had just stepped into his office.
He loosened his cuff slightly, about to sit—
When his phone lit up.
Janaya.
A faint smile touched his lips immediately.
He picked up.
"Hey, mama," he said, his voice softening—losing that sharp CEO edge, but still carrying quiet control.
"Hey," Janaya's voice came through, light and excited. "Everything's going smoothly. Your people are helping a lot… I'm just—" she paused, laughing softly, "—I'm really excited. I couldn't hide it."
Damian leaned slightly against his desk.
"I don't want you hiding anything," he said calmly. "Not your emotions."
A small silence followed.
"When will you be done?" he asked.
"Maybe four hours," she replied. "I can't wait to see you, babe… bye."
She was about to hang up—
"Take care," Damian said gently before lowering his phone.
For a second—
Everything felt normal.
Controlled.
Safe.
Then—
The phone rang again.
Still her.
He answered immediately.
"What is it?"
"I just realized I didn't ask about your day," she said quickly. "How are you? Everything okay?"
Damian exhaled softly.
"I'm fine, babe," he replied. "I'll call you later, I need to sort a few things."
"Okay… don't stress too much," she said before hanging up.
Silence returned.
But not for long.
"Good news, sir."
Fred's voice cut through as he stepped forward, tablet in hand.
"Sir Benson just confirmed. He's agreed to the deal."
Damian nodded slightly.
"Good."
Then—
"Bad news."
Nico's voice followed immediately, more serious this time.
Damian's expression shifted.
"All five investors who initially agreed to meet us… have pulled out."
A pause.
"They've already sold their shares."
Another pause.
"For sixty percent profit."
Silence.
Heavy.
Cold.
Damian didn't speak immediately.
But the air around him changed.
Sharp.
Dangerous.
Controlled anger.
He picked up his phone slowly.
Then dropped it back on the table.
"Liquidate more assets, Nico."
His voice was calm.
Too calm.
"This is war."