Location: Tavara – Damien's Private Estate
The rain drizzled faintly outside the window of Damien's office, the glass fogged slightly as steam rose from the coffee in his untouched mug. He stood, one hand resting on the windowsill, eyes surveying the sprawling estate that once offered him peace — now a fortress sheltering secrets, tension, and shifting alliances.
Nora entered without knocking, her heels clicking with confident rhythm across the polished wooden floor. She wore a long dark coat, soaked at the hem from the downpour, and her eyes met Damien's with equal measures of resolve and worry.
"You sent word to recall Julian and Samantha from Zurich?" she asked, voice sharp.
Damien nodded, his jaw tight. "They've seen enough of the Kane family's interference. I need everyone close."
Nora frowned. "You think they'll retaliate because you refused their offshore alliance proposal?"
"I know they will," Damien said, finally turning to her. "They're not used to hearing the word 'no,' especially from me. And with their hands already tangled in Tavara's corporate sectors, any step back is a blow to their pride."
Nora crossed her arms, pacing slowly. "And yet, you're still protecting that senator's daughter who helped leak confidential trade contracts?"
"She's a pawn," Damien replied. "Someone else is playing the game."
Just then, a knock interrupted them. Nathaniel, Damien's long-time right-hand man, entered with a grim expression.
"We have a situation," Nathaniel said. "The private jet carrying Julian and Samantha was delayed on the runway — not mechanical failure. The pilot received an encrypted message telling them to stay grounded until further notice. We traced the signal to someone inside the Intelligence Bureau."
Nora stiffened. "So the Bureau's been compromised?"
Damien's eyes darkened. "No. It means someone wants me to think it has."
He walked back to his desk and opened a drawer, retrieving a sealed dossier. He handed it to Nora.
"This," he said, "is everything we've gathered on the businessman who recently aligned with the Kanes — Garrett Vale. He's slippery, and rumor says he's got dirt on Tavara's Vice President."
Nora flipped the dossier open, scanning quickly. "If we expose this, we risk shaking the entire power structure."
"That's the point," Damien murmured.
Silence stretched between them.
Then Damien's phone buzzed. A message popped up: "The boy has resurfaced. We believe he's in South Valmere. He's looking for answers."
Damien's hand trembled slightly before he shut the phone off.
Nora's eyes narrowed. "Which boy?"
"Someone I hoped would never return," he said quietly. "Because if he does… everything I've built might come crumbling down."