Chapter 9 - DAMIAN LEARNS THE TRUTH
Damian entered Alexander Voss’s old study shortly after midnight.
Victor had given him one instruction.
Find the server.
Destroy it.
Damian had agreed.
He wanted Elena ruined.
He wanted his company back.
He wanted the humiliation erased.
But inside the study, he discovered something else.
A photograph.
His father stood beside Alexander Voss.
Thomas Cross.
Alive.
Smiling.
Damian picked it up.
On the back were four handwritten words.
Thomas knows the truth.
Damian’s hands tightened.
He searched the desk.
A hidden compartment opened beneath the bottom drawer.
Inside was a file bearing his father’s name.
Damian began reading.
The anger slowly disappeared from his face.
Thomas Cross had not abandoned him.
He had discovered Victor’s financial network.
He had attempted to contact federal investigators.
Then he vanished.
Damian read the final page.
Thomas believes Victor Lang has ordered surveillance on his family.
Damian sat down.
For years, Victor had told him Alexander Voss destroyed his father.
Victor had paid for Damian’s education.
Introduced him to investors.
Helped him build Cross Meridian.
Made himself into the mentor Damian never had.
Damian suddenly understood why.
Victor had not helped him because he cared.
He had cultivated him.
Damian heard movement downstairs.
He quickly photographed the documents.
Then Victor entered.
“You found it.”
Damian turned.
Victor noticed the file.
His expression changed.
“You weren’t supposed to read that.”
Damian stood.
“You told me Alexander destroyed my father.”
“He did.”
“This says you were following him.”
Victor closed the door.
“Documents can say anything.”
Damian stared at the man he had trusted for twenty years.
“Did you kill him?”
Victor’s face remained calm.
“Your father made an unfortunate decision.”
Damian’s breathing changed.
“What decision?”
“He believed truth mattered more than survival.”
Damian understood.
Victor stepped closer.
“You have everything because of me.”
“My father disappeared because of you.”
“You became stronger because of it.”
Damian looked disgusted.
Victor’s voice hardened.
“Do not become sentimental now.”
Damian slowly placed the file on the desk.
“You used me.”
“I created you.”
Victor reached for the file.
Damian moved first.
He grabbed the metal desk lamp and knocked Victor’s hand away.
Then he ran.
Victor shouted after him.
Damian reached the hallway.
Two security men appeared.
He turned toward the staircase.
A side door opened.
Elena stood there.
Their eyes met.
For one second, neither moved.
Then Elena saw Victor behind him.
“Marcus!”
Chaos erupted.
Marcus and his team entered from the rear corridor.
Victor disappeared through another doorway.
Damian stood between both sides.
Elena approached him.
“You found the file.”
Damian looked at her.
“You knew?”
“I learned tonight.”
Damian’s eyes filled with fury.
“He killed my father.”
“Maybe.”
“You still don’t trust me?”
“No.”
Damian almost laughed.
“Fair.”
He reached into his pocket.
Marcus immediately raised a hand.
Damian stopped.
“Relax.”
He slowly removed his phone.
“I photographed everything.”
Elena took it.
Damian looked at her.
“I’ll give you Victor.”
Elena studied him.
“In exchange for what?”
“My company.”
“No.”
Damian stared.
“My accounts?”
“No.”
“My assets?”
“No.”
His jaw tightened.
“Then why would I help you?”
Elena stepped closer.
“Because for once in your life, Damian, you can do something that isn’t about what you get afterward.”
She handed his phone back.
Then she walked away.
May you like
Damian watched her.
For the first time, he had no clever response.
