Return of Lord Damien

Chapter 008

Immediately the employee hand flew to her reddening cheek.

“Director, I—”

“Silence!”

He turned sharply.

“Security!”

At that moment two guards materialized instantly, their faces grim.

“Go Clear her desk. And escort her out. Immediately.”

His words cut like ice.

“And make sure everyone knows – she's blacklisted from the entire banking sector.”

Upon hearing what director Fred just said the watching crowd suddenly found their paperwork fascinating.

Private bankers who had emerged to watch the drama melted back into their offices. Customers buried their faces in their phones, though their ears remained alert to every word.

The employee couldn't say anything as the guards escorted her out.

immediately Fred turned to Damien with a deep bow.

“My sincerest apologies for this unprofessional behavior. Supreme card holders receive... special verification procedures.”

Immediately Director Fred gestured toward the private elevator.

“Please, honored guests. Allow me to escort you to our VIP suite personally. We'll handle this matter with the discretion it deserves.”

Damian quietly followed the director.

After some minutes he came back.

“Everything is in order, honored guest,”

Director Fred smiled, sliding the new diamond card across the polished mahogany table.

“A small token of our appreciation for Supreme cardholders. Though of course, it hardly compares to your existing privileges.”

Damian nodded politely, tucking both cards away. The Supreme card's weight felt different now – Stella hadn't mentioned its true significance when she'd given it to him.

All of his transactions were completed and Damien left.

Outside the bank, he paused on the marble steps. He needed to find the rare herbs for Serenity’s grandfather. 

If he were to search for the herbs by himself, it might take a long time. And if he could get help from Sophia's family, the searching would be greatly accelerated.

At that moment he pulled out his phone, finding Sophia's number.

She answered on the second ring.

“Master Damien?”

Her voice carried a pleased surprise.

“I didn't expect—”

“Miss Sophia,”

he cut in quietly.

“I need help in getting some rare medicinal herbs and I need your help.”

“Of course! I'd be happy to...”

She paused.

“Though I'm in a meeting right now. Could I call you back immediately when I'm free?”

“That's fine.”

Damien's mind was already calculating dosages and preparation times.

“I'll wait for your call.”

Sophia slipped her phone back into her designer bag, trying to keep her hands from trembling. Across the private tearoom's table, War Goddess Serenity sat with perfect military posture, her presence seeming to consume all the air in the room.

The afternoon sun streaming through floor-to-ceiling windows caught Serenity's medals, creating brief flashes that made Sophia want to flinch. Instead, she forced herself to maintain a polite smile, though her fingers twisted nervously in her lap beneath the table.

However Serenity's blood-red lips curved slightly as she observed Sophia's discomfort. She hadn't spoken since the pleasantries ten minutes ago, merely sipping her tea with calculated precision while Sophia grew increasingly anxious.

‘Why would the War Goddess request a private meeting?’

Sophia wondered, acutely aware that one word from Serenity could make or break her family's business interests.

War Goddess Serenity stern expression softened deliberately, though the effect was somewhat like watching steel try to bend into silk.

“Please, be at ease,”

she said, her battlefield command voice attempting gentleness.

“I've come to ask for your assistance.”

Upon hearing what Serenity just said Sophia nearly choked on her tea. The War Goddess – whose mere name could open any door in the capital – needed her help? She quickly dabbed her lips with a napkin, trying to process this revelation.

“My... help?”

she said, wondering if she'd somehow misheard.

“Yes, your help.”

She paused, choosing her words carefully.

“I heard about your grandfather's condition. His remarkable recovery, and I hear it was a talented young man's doing.”

Sophia's eyes widened with understanding.

“The person who treated him,”

Serenity continued, her voice carrying an unusual note of hope beneath its usual authority.

“I need his help. Would you tell me who he is?”