Chapter 41

Selene’s PovSecurity rushed in as Adrian forced his way toward our floor with the investigator. I stood quickly, still holding Damien’s hand. “They’re coming up here? Damien, tell me what we say when they reach us. We decide together first, like we always do.”Damien kept his grip steady. “We tell them we review everything side by side. No private meetings. Selene, what do you want to ask the investigator when he walks in?”“I want to ask if he has proof of direct orders from you,” I said. “Then I want to hear your response right after. No secrets between us. That’s our rule now. Does that work for you?”“Yes,” he answered. “Completely. We face it together. Tell me how you’re feeling about all this pressure tonight.”“Overwhelmed but steadier with you,” I replied. “You answer every question I throw at you without getting defensive. That patience keeps me here. I still want more quiet nights where we just talk things through. No rush on anything else.”“I want that too,” Damien said.

Chapter 42

Damien’s PovAdrian’s voice echoed through the speakers. I kept Selene’s hand firmly in mine. “Selene, look at me. We decide what to say together right now. Tell me what feels true for you. No pressure from him or the board.”Selene met my eyes. “I want to say trust is growing because you answer every single question. We take time with new information. That’s real to me. What do you want me to add?”“Add that we review everything side by side,” I said. “No secrets. Our talks are what matter most. Selene, how are you feeling about that recording right now?”“Unsettled by the words,” she answered. “But steadier when we break them down. You explain without avoiding anything. That patience keeps me choosing these conversations with you. I still want more quiet nights where we just talk things out.”“I want the same,” I replied. “More evenings where you ask questions and I answer. Planning small things like coffee in the morning or a simple dinner with long talks. Nothing rushed. You set t

Chapter 43

Selene’s PovThe chairman’s demand hung in the air. I kept Damien’s hand in mine on the couch. “Damien, they want me to confirm full trust right now or you lose everything. Tell me what you think I should say. We decide together first, like always.”Damien looked straight at me. “Tell them the truth we’ve built. Trust is growing through our talks. We’re not pretending it’s perfect, but we’re choosing honesty every day. Selene, what feels right for you to say?”“I want to say we’re committed to reviewing everything together,” I replied. “That you answer every question I have. That our slow pace is what makes this real. Does that match how you see us?”“Yes,” he said. “Add that we take time with each new claim. No shortcuts. Selene, how are you feeling after hearing that recording again?”“Shaken by the words,” I answered. “But steadier when you explain them. You don’t avoid anything. That patience is why I keep wanting more conversations with you. More nights where we just sit and sort

Chapter 44

Damien’s PovMom’s announcement made the room feel smaller. I kept Selene’s hand in mine. “Selene, we decide this together. Tell me what you want. We talk it out first before anyone plays anything.”Selene looked at me. “I want to hear the recording, but with you here. No alone. That’s our rule now. What do you think we should tell Mom?”“Tell her we listen as a team,” I said. “Then we break it down right after. Selene, how are you holding up with all this tonight?”“I’m tired of the games,” she answered. “But steadier when we face them side by side. You answer everything I ask. That makes me want to keep going with these conversations. More nights where we sort facts and then talk about normal life.”“I want the same,” I replied. “More evenings talking about our days. Planning small things like coffee or dinner with no pressure. Just us. Mom, tell the investigator we hear it together or not at all.”Mom nodded and stepped away to relay the message. Selene turned back to me. “Damien,

Chapter 45

Damien’s PovThe intercom crackled with the investigator’s threat. I kept Selene’s hand firmly in mine as we stood in the hallway. “Selene, we don’t go down alone. Tell me what you want to do first. We decide together right now.”Selene looked at me. “I want to hear the recording, but only with you there. No alone. What do you think we should say when we face him?”“Tell him we listen as a team,” I said. “Then we come back up and break it down word by word. Selene, how are you feeling about this new claim?”“Exhausted by the constant new recordings,” she answered. “But I still trust how we handle them. You answer every question I ask. That patience is what keeps me here. I still want those quiet nights where we just talk everything through. No rush.”“I want the same,” I replied. “More evenings like this. Your questions, my answers, planning small normal things afterward. Coffee talks. Simple dinners with long conversations. You set the pace and I follow. Let’s go down.”We took the e

Chapter 46

Selene’s PovI picked up the envelope from the front desk, Damien right beside me. “This has your signature on an order about Hart Luxury. Open it with me. Tell me what you see when we read it together. I need your thoughts first.”Damien took my hand as we walked back to the elevator. “Of course. We read every line. Then you ask whatever comes up. Selene, how are you feeling about opening this right now?”“Nervous but steadier with you here,” I said. “You always answer straight when I bring doubts. That’s why I keep wanting more nights where we just sit and go through things. No rush on anything else.”We sat on the couch and opened the envelope. Damien read the key paragraph aloud. “Order to resolve Hart Luxury issues permanently. Signed Damien Cross.”I looked at him. “Explain this order to me. What exactly did you mean when you signed it? Be direct. I need to hear it from you.”“I meant close the bad deals to stop losses,” Damien said. “Nothing about harming people. The investigat