There was something in his eyes—that same unwavering confidence she'd seen earlier when he'd transferred seventy thousand dollars without hesitation, when he'd faced down Colin and an entire office of hostile coworkers.It was the look of someone who knew exactly how this would end.Against all logic, Alicia found herself nodding. "Okay. I trust you."The three remaining security guards exchanged uncertain glances.They'd just watched their leader—a man who'd been doing this job for five years—get taken down in less than two seconds. None of them were eager to be next.But they had a job to do, and backing down in front of this crowd would be humiliating.Plus, there were three of them and only one of him. Surely the odds were in their favor."Get him!" one of them finally shouted, trying to sound braver than he felt.They rushed forward together, hoping that coordinated numbers would succeed where Jenkins's solo attempt had failed.Pervis sighed.The first guard threw a wild punch. P

The security guards fell silent, their hopes of vindication crashing down around them. They'd expected Andrew to take their side, to back them up against these troublemakers. Instead, he was furious with them.Andrew had been in the middle of an important meeting with several high-profile investors when his assistant had interrupted with news of a disturbance at the entrance. He'd had to excuse himself from a discussion worth potentially millions of dollars to deal with whatever nonsense was happening outside.And this was what he found? His security team beaten and whining on the ground? A crowd of people recording everything on their phones? This was a PR nightmare.Alicia, who had been watching this exchange with growing frustration, finally stepped forward. "Excuse me, Mr. Morrison, but if you'd just let us explain what actually happened—""I don't want to hear from you!" Andrew snapped, holding up a hand to silence her. "I'll get to you in a moment. First, I need to understand th

Chapter 78Andrew staggered to his feet, one hand still pressed against his bleeding lip, the other clutching his swollen cheek. The humiliation of being knocked down in front of so many witnesses—in front of Isabella Downey, no less—ignited a rage in him that burned hotter than anything he'd felt in years."You dare—you DARE lay hands on me?!" Andrew roared, his voice cracking with fury. "Do you have any idea what you've done? I'm going to destroy you! I'm going to crush your legs! I'm going to make sure you never walk properly again!"Spittle flew from his mouth as he shouted, his face contorted with rage and pain. "I'll have my men break every bone in your body! You'll spend the rest of your pathetic life in a wheelchair, begging on street corners!"Pervis didn't flinch. Instead, he let out a cold sneer that seemed to infuriate Andrew even more. The complete lack of fear or respect in Pervis's expression was like gasoline on Andrew's already burning anger."You think this is funny?

The bodyguards exchanged glances, some looking uncertain, others coldly professional."If you can't do that," Isabella continued, "if you can't handle one pathetic nobody, then you're not qualified to work for me. You're not worthy of the Downey name. And I'll make sure everyone knows it. Your careers in private security will be over."The stakes were clear. Refuse, and they lost their lucrative positions. Fail, and the same result. Their only option was to succeed.Marcus's jaw tightened. He looked at Pervis more carefully, assessing him. The man didn't look particularly imposing—average height, slim build, wearing cheap office clothes. Four security guards might have been incompetent, but six trained bodyguards? That should be more than enough."Understood, Ms. Downey," Marcus said firmly. "Consider it done."The six bodyguards moved as a unit, spreading out to form a semicircle around Pervis and Alicia. Their movements were coordinated and professional—these weren't amateur securit

The moment Damien Black's introduction left his lips, the entire atmosphere shifted dramatically.It was as if someone had dropped a bomb in the middle of the parking area, and everyone was frozen in the shockwave.Isabella's jaw literally dropped open, her mouth forming a perfect O of disbelief. Her hands, which had been clutching her swollen cheek, fell limply to her sides.Damien Black. THE Damien Black.The man whose name alone could make stock prices fluctuate. The man whose business decisions shaped entire industries.And he was bowing to Pervis?Alicia felt her knees go weak. She gripped Pervis's arm for support, her eyes wide as saucers. Her mind was spinning with questions, confusion, and a growing realization that she knew absolutely nothing about the man standing beside her."Damien... Black..." Alicia whispered, barely able to form the words.Pervis remained mostly composed, though his eyebrows raised slightly at the introduction.So this was Damien Black. The legend himse