Sophia lowered her head, studying him carefully, and finally noticed what looked like a bruise on Damien’s face. To confirm it, she even leaned forward, but Damien imdiately lowered his head as if trying to keep her from seeing clearly.
"Damien, lift your head."
"When did you learn to force people to do things they don’t want to do?"
"Where did the injury on your face co from? I’m not blind—I saw it. There’s no point hiding it. No wonder you’re wearing a hat. You didn’t want to find out, did you?"
Lucas noticed it too. "If I’m not wrong, that injury is the price you paid for helping Sophia."
Damien stayed silent for a mont before finally saying, "I didn’t do anything."
"Whatever the case," Lucas replied, "we ca to thank you. If you hadn’t saved Sophia, I might never have seen her again. She already told everything. And if it was your father who tried to hurt her, you could have told us."
Lucas wasn’t a man who confused right with wrong. Even on the day he partnered with Jacob, sothing had felt off. He just hadn’t thought too deeply about it. But now it was clear—it had all been a setup. Maybe Jacob truly wanted to cooperate with him, but his desire to harm Sophia had been just as real. Keeping Lucas at the company had been a deliberate move—to prevent him from getting anywhere near Sophia and blocking any chance of interference.
"He’s my father," Damien said quietly. "If I leak information, then I’m the one who’s in the wrong. So taking a little punishnt is nothing. Besides, I made it clear to him that Sophia wasn’t at fault. He’ll judge that for himself. He’s already fulfilled his obligations to the Morgan family—that settles his debt. From now on, he has nothing to do with them."
"When I saw him walk into the Morgan estate, I kept wondering who he was. I even thought he was so kind of reinforcents. I didn’t expect him to be your father. If there were misunderstandings, it’s better to clear them up. I don’t need you taking the fall for . You’ve already done more than enough. And I won’t waste breath saying thank you again."
Sophia felt helpless. She never expected Damien to do so much for her only to be punished afterward. Still, he was his father’s son—Jacob wouldn’t truly hurt him. And since Damien was born when Jacob was already older, he was cherished. Jacob wouldn’t harm him severely; this "punishnt" was more symbolic than anything.
"From now on," Damien said, "I don’t want any further involvent between us. The fact that you survived was your own luck—and because the fall happened within an area I controlled. As for whether we end up as allies or enemies in the future... that’ll depend on how things develop in the business world. But honestly? The likelihood is high that we’ll be opponents—business rivals. And the kind that can’t be reconciled."
It was a blunt truth. He would eventually inherit his family’s company. And Sophia didn’t like him anyway—her heart was with Lucas. There was no point holding onto sothing that would never be his. He was willing to let it go.
"Today’s coffee has a lot more sugar than I’m used to. I usually drink it black. But... thanks. I got to try sothing new."
He stood up, clearly not intending to stay and talk any longer.
Sophia didn’t stop him. Everyone had their own career to build, their own path and space to grow. She and Damien simply weren’t walking the sa road.
But still...
Damien was, undeniably, an exceptional man—sharp-minded, gifted in finance, and talented enough to beco a formidable rival if they ever crossed paths in the business world. She truly didn’t want things between them to beco hostile one day.
But... reality never operates on "what if."
After he left, Lucas pulled her into his arms. "None of this is your fault."
"I never expected he actually valued that much. Even after I turned him down, he still chose to help . Honestly... he’s a real benefactor in my life."
It was a genuine life-saving favor—sothing no amount of money or gifts could ever asure.
"In the future, if there’s a chance, we should try to work with him. They’ve been wanting to expand into the dostic market anyway. I can give him an opportunity. But the Hilton Group doesn’t sign contracts based on personal favors—if he wants a partnership, it’ll still depend on his capability. And I believe he has it. But Jacob... we still can’t fully trust him. His connection to the Morgan family remains unclear."
"I get what you an," Lucas replied. "But instead of saying Jacob is tied to the Morgans, it’s more accurate to say he’s tied to Susan. I know Andrew’s circle—he didn’t know Jacob at all. As for Susan... I don’t know her well, but she’s crafty. Under her influence, Andrew beca far easier to control."
An idea flashed in Sophia’s mind.
She hadn’t spoken to Susan yet—but even if she tried asking, Susan would never tell her anything.
But Susan did have a weakness.
Olivia.
If Sophia could make Olivia cough up the truth about Jacob and Susan, she’d at least have sothing concrete in hand.
"Jacob’s identity is far more complicated than what we see on the surface. His influence overseas is nothing to scoff at. Compared to your YL Group, he’s at least on equal footing—maybe even above it at tis. If we plan to deal with him, we’ll need to use... different thods."
"I hear you," Lucas said. "But right now, there’s only one person who truly knows Jacob."
Sophia tilted her head. "Who?"
"Susan. The day I went to the Morgan estate, she and Jacob were together. Andrew wasn’t even there. That ans they probably knew each other long before all this."
Lucas nodded decisively. "When do we go?"
"No ti like the present."
The two had just stood up, ready to leave, when a phone call ca through.
It was Dylan—Sophia’s top attorney.
She’d sent him to handle the Morgan family asset transition, so they’d been in frequent contact. And if he was calling her at this mont, it definitely ant sothing serious had happened.
"Hello? Dylan, what’s going on?"
"Miss Morgan, I just received word—Olivia and Ethan... are getting married."
"What did you just say?"
Sophia and Lucas exchanged a shocked look.
Olivia and Ethan... getting married?
Impossible.
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