All Chapters of From Doormat to Tycoon: The Rise of the Useless Husband: Chapter 221
- Chapter 230
259 chapters
Chapter 221
Anthony's smile widened when Damon asked that question, his eyes lighting up with something that looked almost like relief mixed with genuine joy."It's nothing much, really," Anthony said, settling back comfortably in his chair. "But I've been waiting for this day for so long, Damon. You have no idea how long. I asked us to act like friends today; really act like friends, because your identity is finally out. No more secrets. No more hiding who you really are."He paused, and his expression shifted, becoming more reflective."For years, I had to strictly respect you, keep that professional distance between us," Anthony continued. "Not because I wanted to, but because you needed your identity protected. If I'd been too casual with you, too friendly, people would have noticed. They would have wondered why the CEO of Vespera Corporation treated some 'nobody' like a close friend."Damon listened intently and began to understand the burden Anthony had carried for all these years."Now th
Chapter 222
Damon clenched his jaw but nodded curtly."I'm not saying you should immediately forgive him," Anthony said carefully. "I'm not saying you should forget everything he did to you and your mother. What he did was terrible—unforgivable in many ways. The way he believed Vanessa's lies over his own wife's innocence, the way he threw you out without even investigating properly, the way he allowed your mother to be killed... those things are horrific."Anthony's voice was steady but compassionate."But making him suffer now, when he's already dying and drowning in regret and guilt... Damon, I don't think even your mother would want that," Anthony said softly. "From everything you've told me about her over the years, she was kind. Forgiving. She had a gentle heart. Do you really think she'd want you to let your father die when you have the power to save him?"Damon's expression remained hard, stony, but he didn't interrupt."Edward Sterling has already lost all hope," Anthony continued. "Art
Chapter 223
Anthony's face brightened with relief and happiness when Damon said those words. The tension that had been weighing heavily between them seemed to lift, replaced by something lighter and more hopeful."I'm really glad you're considering it," Anthony said, his smile warm. "I know it's not an easy decision, and I know you're doing it for the right reasons. Your mother would be proud of you."Damon nodded but didn't say anything more about Edward Sterling. The topic had already drained him emotionally, and he could feel the weight of the decision settling onto his shoulders. He'd have to think carefully about how to approach this, who to contact, and what resources to deploy.But for now, he wanted to move past it.Anthony seemed to sense his need for a change in conversation because he shifted in his seat, his expression becoming more casual again."Actually," Anthony said, "there's something else I wanted to mention. Miss Ashford told me she's been trying to reach you, but you're not
Chapter 224
Damon stared at Anthony, his surprise clear on his face. He'd suspected something might be there, but hearing Anthony actually admit it out loud was different."How long?" Damon asked quietly.Anthony looked down at his hands, a small, sad smile crossing his face. "Since the beginning. Since I first met her years ago through you."He paused."I remember when I also saw her at a corporate summit," Anthony continued. "She was representing the Ashford family, negotiating deals with confidence and intelligence. Everyone noticed her. She was beautiful, confident, and successful. But what caught my attention wasn't just how she looked. It was the way she carried herself, the way she talked about business with genuine passion, the way she treated everyone with respect regardless of their position."Damon listened without interrupting, letting his friend speak."I never approached her back then," Anthony said. "She was engaged to Alexander, and I knew better than to interfere with someone in
Chapter 225
Celia walked through the front door of her house and immediately heard the television blaring from the living room. Her parents' voices carried through the hallway, animated and excited about something they were watching.She didn't want to know what it was. She didn't want to talk to them. She didn't want to explain anything or answer questions or process her feelings out loud where they could hear.All she wanted was to be alone.She moved quickly through the hallway, her footsteps soft on the wooden floor. She kept her head down, hoping she could slip past the living room entrance without being noticed.But her mother's voice stopped her immediately."Celia? Is that you?" Mrs. Greene called out from the living room.Celia closed her eyes briefly, frustration and exhaustion washing over her. She'd been so close to making it to her room unnoticed."Yes, Mom," she answered without stopping, continuing toward the stairs."Come in here for a minute," her father's voice joined in. "There
Chapter 226
Celia lay on her bed staring at the ceiling, her eyes red and puffy from crying. She'd been in her room for over an hour now, replaying everything Damon had told her in the car. Every word, every revelation, every secret he'd been carrying.A knock on her door made her tense."Celia?" Her mother's voice came through gently. "Can we talk to you for a minute?""I already told you I don't want to talk about Damon," Celia said, her voice hoarse from crying. "Please just leave me alone.""It's not about Damon," her father's voice joined in. "There's someone here to see you. Someone important."Celia sat up slowly, confusion replacing some of the sadness on her face. "What? Who?""Just come downstairs, sweetheart," her mother said. "She's waiting in the living room."She? Celia wiped her eyes quickly, trying to compose herself. Who could possibly be visiting her right now?She stood up and walked to her mirror, grimacing at her reflection. Her eyes were swollen, her face was blotchy, and he
Chapter 227
Serena stared at her mother in confusion, her mind still reeling from the news about Damon. "Wait, what? Just a few minutes ago, you were saying it didn't matter whose child it was as long as Michael believed it was his. Now you're saying it's definitely Damon's?"Tessa's eyes gleamed with a cunning that Serena recognized all too well. Her mother had that expression whenever she was scheming something big."Listen to me carefully, my precious daughter," Tessa said, leaning forward with intensity. "Everything has changed now. Everything. Do you understand what it means that Damon is actually Damon Sterling?""He's rich?" Serena offered, still trying to catch up with her mother's rapid shift in thinking."Rich?" Tessa laughed, the sound sharp and excited. "The Sterling family is ten times wealthier than the Thorne family. Maybe even twenty times. Michael's family fortune is nothing compared to what Damon has access to now."Serena's confusion began to clear as understanding dawned on he
Chapter 228
Michael stared at his phone screen, his jaw clenched tight with frustration as Serena's number went straight to voicemail for the fifth time in a row. He pressed the call button again, his fingers gripping the phone so hard his knuckles turned white."Pick up, damn it," he muttered under his breath, pacing back and forth across his bedroom.The television in the corner was still showing the Sterling scandal coverage, with Damon's face plastered across every channel. Michael had been watching the news for the past hour, his shock and anger growing with each new revelation about his girlfriend's ex-husband.Damon Sterling. The real heir to the Sterling fortune. One of the wealthiest families in the entire city.Michael felt sick to his stomach. All this time, he'd been looking down on Damon, treating him like he was nobody, calling him worthless and useless. And it turned out Damon had more money and power than Michael could ever hope to have.The call went to voicemail again. Michael c
Chapter 229
Serena paced back and forth across the living room, her phone pressed against her ear. Tessa sat on the couch watching her daughter with anticipation, waiting to hear what the person on the other end would say."Yes, that's right," Serena said into the phone, her voice low and calculated. "We need it done quickly and cleanly. No mistakes, no traces back to us."Tessa had given Serena the contact number for Brick—a man she'd known years ago who handled "difficult situations" for people willing to pay the right price."How much?" Serena asked, then paused as Brick named his fee. Her eyes widened slightly, but she nodded. "Fine. Yes, we can afford that. When can you start?"Another pause as she listened."Tonight would be perfect," Serena said, glancing at her mother with a victorious smile. "The sooner the better. We'll transfer half the payment now and the rest when it's done."Tessa stood up and moved closer, her own smile growing wider as she watched her daughter arrange everything.
Chapter 230
Damon walked through the police station doors with purpose, his footsteps echoing against the tile floors. He'd come here with a specific goal in mind—to see Vanessa Sterling in her current state, trapped behind bars where she belonged.Detective Morrison spotted him immediately and approached with a respectful nod. "Mr. Sterling. I wasn't expecting you today.""I wanted to see her," Damon said plainly. "Is that possible?"Morrison studied his face for a moment, then nodded slowly. "I can arrange that. She's in holding right now waiting for her court appearance tomorrow. You'll have to speak through the glass.""That's fine."Morrison led him through several secured doors, each one requiring badge access and security clearance. They passed other holding cells where various criminals sat waiting for their own fates to be decided.Finally, they reached Vanessa's cell. Morrison gestured toward it. "I'll give you a few minutes. If you need anything, I'll be right outside.""Thank you, Det