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bChapter /bb175 /b

OLIVIA’S POV

Alright, I had made my final decision.

I nced out the wide ss window of my living room, watching the sun touch thewn in gold. It was calm outside, but my thoughts were ba /bstorm of considerations and consequences. Still, I turned to ra and said with a firm voice, “ept the invitation. We’ll be going to the auction.”

ra’s fingers moved swiftly across her tablet. “Yes, ma’am,” she replied without hesitation, tapping and swiping as she processed the event details.

From across the room, Damien raised a brow, his tone cautious. “Are you sure about this? I mean… You have a serious history back there.”

I adjusted slightly in my chair, crossing one leg over the other and resting my arms on the armrest. “Yes, Damien,” I said, my voice calm but certain. “I’ve given it some hard thought. I’ve decided to go not just because of the car, but also to personally oversee the branch we have in New York. Since I’ll already be there for the auction, it’s the perfect opportunity to handle both.”

“Two birds with one stone,” Damien muttered, nodding slowly. “Fair enough.”

I reached for my teacup and took a sip, the warm liquid steadying me. I knew this trip wasn’t going to be simple. There were emotional stakes tangled up

with the business ones.

Damien leaned forward slightly. “And what about Charlie? Who’s going to take care of him while you’re gone?”

“Trust me, he’s safe here,” I replied instantly, lowering the cup back onto its saucer.

“I’m not worried about his safety,” Damien rified. “I know he’s secure with the bodyguards and the system you’ve put in ce. I’m worried about bhow /bhe’ll feel when you’re gone. You’re his world, Olivia. Who’s going to talk to him in the mornings? Read to him at night? y with him when he’s bored?”

I sighed quietly, a slight tug in my chest. “I’ve thought about that too,” I admitted. “It’s just for seven days. I’m going to video call him at least five times a day. I already call him during school breaks or when I’m workingte, so this won’t be too different. He’ll see my face, hear my voice. That connection

won’t break.”

ra looked up from her screen. “I’ve epted the invitation, ma’am. The auction is going to be intense–with high–profile people from all over the world. We’ll need to go there fully prepared. It won’t be easy trying to snatch that Rolls–Royce from under their noses.”

I smiled slightly at her confidence. “That won’t be a problem. Just btell /bMiguel to prep the jet. I want it fully fueled and ready to leave on short notice. Make sure the crew is rested and everything is in ce.”

ra gave a nod and moved toward the hallway, already making calls on her earpiece.

Turning my attention back to Damien, I softened my voice. “Besides, Charlie still has you here while I’m gone. I’m sure he bwon’t /bmiss me too bmuch /bbwith /bhis favorite uncle around.”

Damien cleared his throat and shifted in his seat. “Yeah, about that…” he began.

I raised an eyebrow. “What?”

“That won’t be possible either,” he said bluntly.

I blinked. “Wait…what do you meanb?/bb” /b

Of course. I should’ve seen thating. Nothing ever goespletely ording to n.

“I know you wouldn’t be able to check in on him all bthe /btime,” bI /bsaid with ba /bbsmallsigh/b. “And I’m not asking you to drop everything. bBut /bbI /bbthought /bat bleast/bb, /bmaybe, once in a while…”

“I won’t be able bto /bcheck in at all,” Damien bcut /bin, his voice firm, his eyes apologetic.

And as I was about to speak, Damien continued.

“Because I’ll be following you to New York,” he said calmly.

I blinked, confused, my lips slightly parted. “What?” I asked, staring at him like I hadn’t heard correctly.

“Yeah,” he repeated with a smile. “I want to

with you.”

I narrowed my eyes slightly, trying to process his words. “Okay… but is there a reason though? I mean, I can handle my own security. bIf /bbanything /bbhappens /b

–and I mean worst–case scenario–Julian is also there for me. You know that.”

Damien chuckled lightly and leaned back in his seat. “Well, there are a lot of reasons actually. Firstly, from the way your dad reacted during your first family dinner as a ke a few years ago… I’m sure he wouldn’t want you going back to that city again. Definitely not without someone he trusts bkeeping /ban eye on you.”

He paused before continuing. “Secondly,

ce for myself.”

Shaven’t actually been to New York before. So, if we’re being honest, it wouldn’t be a bad idea to finally see bthe /b

I raised an eyebrow, unconvinced. I could see right through the cool,posed persona he was trying to put on. Almost everything he just said bfelt /blike ba /bconvenient excuse. Not that I didn’t appreciate the concern–but deep down, I knew the truth. He wasn’t going because of New York’s skyline or my father’s disapproval.

He was going because of me.

The thought alone made me a bit ufortable. Not because I didn’t appreciate his loyalty or care–but because the idea of someone growing attached, especially someone like Damien, alwaysplicated things. I didn’t needplications. Not now.

Still, there was something oddly… sweet about his decision. His need to be close. I didn’t like it–but it was cute.

And besides, he was a full–grown man. I couldn’t tell him where to go or what to do. Even if part of me wanted to say no, I had no justifiable reason.

“Okay,” I finally said, exhaling. “If you say so. But my father doesn’t know about this, and I intend to keep it that way.”

Damien nodded immediately, his expression serious. “Of course. Discretion is key. I’m not trying to start a war with your dad.”

I turned to ra, who had been standing in the hallway silent all this while, quietly observing bthe /bexchange like a proper professional. “Alright then,” ! said firmly. “Begin preparing everything necessary for a seven–day stay in New York. I want everything sorted–outfits, documents, security protocols. I don’t want any loose ends.”

“Yes, ma’am,” ra said with ba /bsmall nod,

As I sipped thest of my tea, I stared out the window, watching the sun stretch its golden arms across the skyline. A city full life and light. But all I could think about… was darkness.

was going back.

Back to where it all began the city that nearly destroyed me. But I wasn’t the same fragile Olivia that left with nothing but btrauma /band ba /bpromise.

No. T