Chapter 8 - Nine Days After the Maid Entered His Mother’s Room, Damian Made the Decision Nobody Expected
On the ninth day after Tessa first entered Room 104, Damian gathered everyone in the mansion.
His family.
His employees.
His surviving business partners.
Federal investigators.
Doctors.
Everyone.
Tessa was there too.
She thought she had been invited because Beatrice had a message for her.
Instead, Damian walked to the center of the room.
He wore no gun.
No bodyguard stood beside him.
For once, he looked like an ordinary man.
“I spent my life believing power meant never needing anyone.”
He looked at Tessa.
“I was wrong.”
Then he announced his decision.
He was dismantling the criminal side of the Costa empire.
Every illegal operation would be closed.
Every victim would be compensated.
Every employee exploited under his family would receive restitution.
A trust would be established in Beatrice's name.
Its mission:
medical care for families who couldn't afford it.
Scholarships.
Cancer treatment.
Dementia research.
And support for caregivers.
Then he turned toward Tessa.
“The first person this foundation will support is the Miller family.”
Tessa shook her head.
“Damian—”
“My decision.”
She stared at him.
“I don't want charity.”
“I know.”
He smiled.
“That's why I hired you.”
Everyone looked confused.
Damian continued.
“Tessa Miller will be the foundation's director of caregiver support.”
Her mouth fell open.
“You're joking.”
“No.”
“I have no degree.”
“Then get one.”
“I don't know how to run a foundation.”
“Neither do I.”
She laughed through tears.
“You're impossible.”
“I learned from you.”
The room erupted in applause.
But Damian wasn't finished.
He walked toward her.
Then, in front of everyone, he removed the family ring from his finger.
Not an engagement ring.
The old Costa signet.
He placed it on the table.
“I spent years believing this represented power.”
He pushed it away.
“I don't want it anymore.”
He took Tessa's hand.
“I want something I can't buy.”
She stared at him.
“What?”
“A life where you choose to be beside me.”
Silence.
Tessa's tears fell.
“Yes.”
Damian smiled.
May you like
The most feared man in the city had finally received something money had never been able to purchase.
A freely given yes.
