"Celine!" The name alone was enough to make Damian’s expression darken. He knew what Celine was capable of, especially when she wanted something badly enough. She had never been satisfied with merely defeating her opponents; she wanted to strip them of everything they possessed and leave them with no opportunity to rise again. Later then, Angelic sat beside him in the private lounge of the restaurant she now owned, carefully examining the documents Marcus had obtained from their preliminary investigation. The more she read, the more troubled she became. “My uncle claimed that the transfer was necessary to protect Hawthorn Group from bankruptcy,” she said, placing one document on the table. “He told the board that selling our controlling shares was the only way to save the company. But according to these records, the buyer never intended to preserve my family's business. Several of our subsidiaries

Damian's tone softened slightly. “If she doesn't want you, no amount of permission from me will change that. But if you genuinely care about her, prove that you can stand beside her. Help her finish this investigation, and give her a reason to see you as more than the man who keeps reminding her to behave herself.” Marcus lowered his gaze. For once, he didn't have a quick response. Damian understood why. Natalie was young, independent, and accustomed to making her own decisions. Marcus had always maintained a careful distance, perhaps believing that the difference in their personalities and circumstances made his feelings inappropriate. However, Damian knew his sister better than anyone. She might tease Marcus constantly, but she trusted him, relied on him, and frequently sought his company without realizing what that meant. Whether those feelings