Damien Ross: Wrath of the Warlord Chairman

03: “Hey, Get Off Her!”

Within ten minutes, the Goddess zoomed off with the supercars to an exclusive meeting with Edward Coker, the Duke of Oakland.

Before she left, she gave distinct instructions to one of the drivers. Damien Ross had politely refused to be escorted by any bodyguard for reasons that his mother perfectly understood.

**

“Martial Fortress, I'm Paul Emerson, the Goddess’s household butler. It's an honor to finally meet you.”

Paul fell to his knees alongside ten cooperatively dressed household staff.

While Damien was still warming to the butler's honorary reception. The other household staff members spoke in unison:

“It's a privilege to know what you look like. We'll serve you till the last breath.”

Damien nodded keenly and waved his fingers for them to rise. He suspected they were expecting him from how they spoke with a unified voice.

Damien drew a deep breath to savor the magnificent castle his mother lived in. From the gate, he was thrilled by the exterior masterpiece; the well-trimmed, watered pink-white flowers that gave the castle an impeccable appearance. He hadn't seen elegance in its simplicity, like how the castle was built to taste.

“Martial Fortress, I'd love to take you to your Executive Deluxe space. The New York Oil Gold contract application event is scheduled in an hour. It will be worth your time.”

Fifteen minutes ago, the Goddess had informed Damien about the partnership gala event hosted annually, where Enterprises across the seven cities in Oakland apply for a chance to be selected and awarded a contract.

It was the biggest partnership contract beyond Oakland shores, as the selected company would be rewarded by NewYork Oil Gold with a sum of $500,000 alongside an automatic inclusion in Oakland Forbes’ top five business ranking.

Tonight, the interested companies that desire to be the chosen benefactor will apply with the hope of getting shortlisted and approved as potential winners of the partnership contract. This explained how powerful and reputable the Conglomerate was.

Within forty minutes, Damien had refreshed and was ready to experience the partnership application process. He had been away and needed to get back in touch with how the real world worked.

“Inform the driver. We're hitting the road in less than five.

The butler nodded and chimed in with a warm smile: “You look really transformed, Martial Fortress. Your sense of dressing still hasn't lost its touch. Simple but classy.”

Damien felt a sense of pride in his genuine compliment. He was clothed in a polished tuxedo. His high-end footwear, admirably fitting. Damien still didn't know how every outfit in his room was his size, dry-cleaned, and smoothly ironed as though they knew about his coming.

The butler added politely: “I’d go with you 'cause the application event is strictly by invitation with a plus-one. The Goddess informed me how you intend to keep a very low profile.”

Damien nodded: “In that case, you'd have to look more presentable than I am. Tonight, you aren't a butler while I'm your bodyguard.” He informed him, as the butler understood what he meant.

In less than ten minutes, the driver screeched to a halt for the event. Damien drew a calm breath as he alighted from the premium Rolls-Royce. He understood a new chapter of his life had just begun, and the responsibility rested on his shoulders.

“Paul, you know what to do. Stick to the plan, and we'll be fine.”

Paul nodded nervously and walked in front while Damien followed behind as planned.

When they arrived at the security spot, a few miles from the main entrance. Paul mouthed with growing confidence: “Lukeman Patrick. CEO of Love Clinic Innovation.”

Paul presented the invitation card to the security personnel, who watched keenly and searched through the invitation list.

After a moment, one of the security personnel chimed in, “Thank you, Mr. Patrick, for observing the security protocol. You're cleared.”

Damien and Paul walked inside the event hall. Before leaving the castle, Damien had communicated with The Goddess on the plan, and she swiftly added the cover-up company alongside Paul's alias to the invitation list to ensure they'd be cleared at the entrance.

Every corner of the hall screamed of nobility as Damien's eyes glanced over most figures inside. He had no doubt there were elites and wealthy socialites who graced the event with the hope of their company being awarded the partnership contract.

Paul smacked his head with panic: “Martial Fortress. Forgive me, but I forgot to take care of an errand. Please, it's really urgent.”

Damien nodded in consideration: “It’s fine, Paul. Go take care of business. I'll be fine; at least we have been granted entrance.”

Moments after Paul exited, a smile flitted into Damien's ear; he could swear the voice struck a chord, and he decided to glance through to be certain.

Instantly, Laura Ocean’s eyes met Damien's. She had also graced the contract application event alongside her personal assistant, Chloe, and, of course, James Smith.

‘Oh shit! Not tonight!’ Damien cursed in his heart. The last person he expected to see was her.

A condescending, cold laughter oozed out from Laura's lips: “And who do we have here? Damien Ross, the convicted rapist. What business does someone with no substance have to do in a hall graced with distinguished fellows?”

“I guess you tailed me down here like a lost puppy to beg for another chance, right?”

Damien's face furrowed at her irritating audacity; he wasn't ready for any of her taunts. Certainly not today, of all days, that his life began afresh.

Smith displayed a smug, mocking expression as if he had won a trophy since Laura returned the engagement ring.

“Hey, sore loser, you're pained that I'd now have her all to myself.” He gave a sly smile and cupped Laura's face with a kiss. “Don't bother asking for forgiveness; you're not worthy of her.”

Damien shook his head at their display of spite, his heart gradually burning with menace.

Laura's personal assistant, Chloe, glared at Damien and spewed: “How did you even manage to find yourself in here? Oh, let me guess. You were employed as one of the security men, right?”

They burst into laughter.

Damien always knew Chloe was never his fan, right from his days in Oceans' Jewelry Expertise as the business strategist; she always had something negative to tell Laura about him.

Damien responded with a bored stare: “Are you guys done? Time is of the essence; I've got more important things to do.”

Their expressions were laced with annoyance at his unbothered response. Laura’s voice heightened:

“You’re damn arrogant! I'm sure Chloe was right. No way on earth could you have obtained an invitation card for such a prestigious event if not as a security nobody!

While that was ongoing, a disturbing sound echoed that had drawn everyone's attention

A young lady screamed in pain: “But I apologized to you, Sir. You didn't have to raise your hand at me!”

“Fucking shut your mouth up! How dare you graze my arms with your filthy hands!”

Damien moved his steps faster to the scene. Laura, James, and Chloe also wanted to know what was really going on.

James' tongue moved faster with a mischievous smile: “Hey, Buddy, what's going on?”

Erik Chester winked at James and indulged him with a friendly handshake: “Can you imagine the insolence? This dimwitted fool touched my arms!”

James frowned, and he blurted out: “How dare you! Do you have the slightest idea of the man you pushed? You deserve to be dealt with!”

The lady's expression tugged with emotion as she spoke from her gut:

“I didn't push him; it was a mistake, Sir. I accidentally brushed against his arms as I walked past.”

Erik, on seeing James’ support, built up momentum. He marched further to smack the lady again, but what happened next had everyone gasping in uncertainty.

Damien moved in and intercepted Eric's clenched fist with a firm grip. His voice firm like a rock, he warned:

“Hey, get off her at once; that'll be enough! The young lady has apologized, and that will do…”