The morning felt heavier than usual when Damon pulled his car into the lot. His body ached from the bruises left by the men who had jumped him the previous day, but his mind was sharper than ever. He stepped out of the car, straightened his shirt, and adjusted the collar as if that alone could hide the exhaustion in his bones. He knew the office might already be buzzing with talk, and the last thing he wanted was to give anyone more reasons to look at him differently. He locked the car door and walked toward the building but before he could get to the entrance. Damon was halfway across the lobby when he heard a voice behind him. “Mr. Damon!” He stopped, recognizing the tone before he even turned. It was Clara—the staff whose mother he had helped. She hurried toward him, clutching a small velvet pouch in her hand. Her hair was pulled back neatly, though the worry on her face made her look restless. “I’m glad I caught you,” Clara said, slightly out of breath. “I… I couldn’t wa

He stood up and followed the energy…At first Damon thought it was his imagination—the adrenaline sWas still rushing through his veins from that public showdown with Lily and Tyler. But no, this was different. It was primal, magnetic, a force that seemed to tug at the very marrow of his bones.He followed the energy till it landed him at the the market square where people are gathered, it was a busy market place, where people are gathered and pricing was about to start…The smell of smoked fish filled the air, but despite the bustle, everyone’s attention seemed to be drawn toward the open platform in the center.It seems to be a once in a while occasion as people from far and near, rich people and all people were eager and anticipated to watch the haggle. From afar, Damon spotted Lily and Tyler who were sited in front, looking all lovey dover but his eyes quickly moved away from them. His attention was based on the strong energy emitted from the box of jewels placed in front ready

The auctioneer slammed his stick. “Sold! Twenty-six thousand!” Everyone shouted and clapped, some laughing, some shaking their heads. All eyes turned to Damon. The auctioneer cleared his throat. “Now… payment, sir. Twenty-six thousand.” Damon reached into his coat. His face was calm, but inside his chest, the ring’s strange pull burned like fire. He checked one pocket. Nothing. He checked another. Still nothing. His hands moved faster, patting his coat and trousers. But his card was gone. The crowd started to laugh. “Can’t find it?” “I knew it! He’s broke!” “Big mouth, empty pockets!” At the front, Tyler leaned back in his chair, smirking. Lily let out a sharp laugh. She spoke loudly so everyone could hear. “Of course. He was only pretending. Look at him—he doesn’t even have the money.” The people laughed harder. Some pointed at Damon, some booed. The auctioneer frowned and tapped his stick. “Sir, if you cannot pay, then I must cancel the sale.” Tyler stood

The slap felt so loud that it echoed round the hall. Damon’s head turned with tbe force of it and his cheeks instantly turned red but he didn’t move his legs.. The crowd gasped, then laughed, as if the slap was the best show of the night. People leaned closer, hungry for more. “How dare you, Lily,” Damon barked, his voice like a whip. “Who the fuck do you think you are, uhn? Do you think I am still married to you?” The anger poured from him. The slap had taken him back—back to when he was trapped in her shadow, belittled, crushed, mocked. Back to nights when his words never mattered, when his pain was nothing more than her entertainment. Yet even now, even with the sting on his cheek, Damon could not find one reason why Lily had slapped him. Not one that made sense. “Pathetic,” Lily spat. Her hand still trembled from striking him. “That’s all you’ve ever been, Damon. A fool. A beggar. A man who can’t live unless someone feeds him scraps.” Damon’s eyes narrowed, his voi

"What is that?" someone from the back screams in shock The little piece of Jewel in began to glow. It was not a weak glow—it shined like a small sun. The light pulsed, beating like a heart. People gasped and stepped back, their faces pale. The room was quiet now, too quiet. Tyler tried to laugh, but his voice shook. “Ha! It’s just a trick… some fake light!” “No,” the merchant said, his voice calm but heavy. His eyes never left Damon’s hand. “That is real power.” Lily’s hands shook at her side. Her proud face broke apart. “No… no, this can’t be real. Jewels don’t glow. They don’t!” Tyler and Lily couldn't believe their eyes, they had just lost a gold right there. Regret instantly washed through their heart, Tyler had never imagined that the dirty jewel that they had priced in other to humiliate Damon is no other than a gold with so much energy. Tyler and Lily couldn’t believe their eyes. They had just lost a treasure right in front of everyone. Regret burned in their hear