145 Chapter 148
145 Chapter 148
“I don’t think they’d dare,” he said, his voice steely. “But prevention is always better than reaction.”
Damien’s expression remained impassive. “If she’s truly mentally unwell, that will be taken into account by the courts. But wealth and privilege don’t entitle her to harm others without consequence.”
“Stop,” Damien interrupted, taking my hand. “Don’t even finish that thought.”
“You’re not a burden,” he said firmly. “You’re the woman I’ve chosen. The rest is just
noise.”
“I’m sorry if that was overstepping,” he said quietly. “But I won’t let him continue to pressure you.”
Before I could respond, a nurse entered to check Damien’s bandages. As she worked, his phone rang. He glanced at the screen and a flicker of concern crossed his face.
On the drive to the police station, I couldn’t stop thinking about Mrs. Sterling’s call. The woman who’d been so warm to me at dinner now seemed disturbed by my presence in her son’s life. And why wouldn’t she be? Her son had just been attacked with acid because of his association with me.
Julian’s gaze shifted to Damien, something like resentment flashing in his eyes. “Why are you so determined to destroy what’s left of my family? Isn’t taking Hazel enough for you? Giselle is already broken–what more do you want?”
“What I want,” Damien replied coolly, “is justice. Your sister committed assault. Her social standing, mental state, or family name won’t protect her from the consequences of her actions.”
I stared at him, conflicted emotions swirling inside me. Part of me felt protected, cherished even, but another part worried about the escalation. Damien had just openly threatened Julian Grayson on my behalf.
An hour later, we were preparing to leave for the police station. The doctor had cleared both Damien and Chloe, though with strict instructions for wound care. As we waited for the car, Damien arranged for a security detail to escort Chloe home.
145 Chapter 148
As Chloe reluctantly left with her escorts, I turned to Damien. “You don’t think the Graysons would target Chloe, do you?”
The moment she began speaking, I could tell something was wrong. Even without
hearing her words, the
hearing her words, the tension t
me everything. Mrs. Sterling that immediately appeared in Damien’s shoulders told
and urgent.
voice carried through the phone, sounding distressed
“No, Mr. Grayson, this isn’t a threat. It’s a promise. One last call to Hazel, one more attempt to manipulate her emotions, and you’ll discover exactly how much influence the Sterling family has in this city. Do I make myself clear?”
“I’ll handle it, Mother. I need to go now.”
After another brief pause, Damien ended the call and handed my phone back to me. His expression softened immediately as our eyes met.
“Is concerned, yes. But she doesn’t dictate my choices.” He turned my face toward his. “Hazel, I’ve waited too long for you to walk away because things got difficult.”
But I wasn’t convinced. The way he’d avoided my gaze during the call spoke volumes. Something had changed with Mrs. Sterling, and I had a sinking feeling it involved me.
I stared at him incredulously. “She tried to throw acid in my face, Julian.”
“It’s my mother,” he said, accepting the call. “Hello, Mother.”
After ending the call, Damien sat silently for a moment, his expression unreadable. The lawyer nodded, unsurprised. “As I expected. I’ve informed them of your position, but they insisted on making the offer.”
Damien’s expression hardened. “There will be no settlement. Giselle Grayson brought acid to a social gathering with the intent to cause permanent disfigurement. She’ll face the appropriate legal consequences.”
He paused, listening briefly before cutting Julian off.
“But your mother-”
“Excuse me,” he said, stepping away from our group. “I need to take this.”
Another long pause as Mrs. Sterling apparently continued speaking. Damien pinched
145 Chapter 158
the bridge of his nose, clearly stressed.
And suddenly, despite Damien’s reassurances, I couldn’t shake the feeling that my presence in his life was creating problems I couldn’t see–problems that might eventually force him to choose between me and his family.
“Hazel, please,” he began, his voice dropping to a desperate whisper. “Giselle isn’t well. She hasn’t been since the miscarriage. You know how close you two once were. Remember how she helped plan your birthday parties? How she looked up to you?” “Mr. Sterling, Ms. Ashworth,” the lawyer greeted us. “The Graysons are proposing a settlement. They’re willing to cover all medical expenses and offer substantial compensation to avoid taking this matter further.”
Mrs. Landon appeared at Julian’s side, placing a hand on her son’s arm. Julian, this isn’t helping. Mr. Sterling clearly isn’t interested in being reasonable.
“Is everything okay?” I asked cautiously.
“Yes, I’m fine. Minor burns only,” Damien reassured her. “No, there won’t be any scarring… Yes, the police are involved… Mother, please-”
He smiled, but it didn’t reach his eyes. “She’s just worried. It’s what mothers do.”
“Let me be crystal clear,” Damien continued, his voice dropping to a dangerous tone that sent chills down my spine. “Your sister committed a premeditated attack with a corrosive substance at a public event. She will face the full consequences of her actions. And if you continue to harass Hazel with these calls, I’ll ensure you face consequences of your own.”
A cold knot formed in my stomach as I watched him speaking quietly but intently into his phone. His back was turned to me, his shoulders tense. Whatever Mrs. Sterling was saying, it was serious enough that Damien didn’t want me to hear it.
“Mr. Grayson, I am the victim of tonight’s incident,” Damien said evenly into r “If you have anything to say, say it to me directly. Don’t trouble my girlfriend.
phone.
“So you’re going to send a traumatized woman to prison?” Julian challenged.
He glanced at me, then looked away quickly. “We can discuss this later… I understand your concerns, but-”
145 Chapter 148
As he moved across the room to take the call, I could tell from his expression that it was his mother again. This time, he deliberately positioned himself where I couldn’t overhear the conversation.
I watched Damien’s face harden as he listened to whatever Julian was saying on the other end of the line. His jaw tightened, the muscles in his neck tensing visibly. Despite the bandages on his back and the lingering scent of antiseptic clinging to his skin, he radiated pure authority.
“On the contrary,” Damien replied. “I’m being entirely reasonable. Actions have consequences–that’s the most fundamental rule of civilized society. If you believe your daughter should be exempt from that rule because of her last name, perhaps that’s why she felt entitled to commit this crime in the first place.”
“I don’t need bodyguards,” Chloe protested, though her bandaged hand undermined her argument.
“She’s spiraling,” he continued as if I hadn’t spoken. “She blamed herself for losing the baby, and then when our family business started facing problems… she’s fragile. Please, if you ever cared about my family-”
“It’s not negotiable,” Damien replied firmly. “After what happened tonight, I’m not taking any chances with either of you.”
“That’s enough,” Damien cut in, stepping slightly in front of me. “Your sister made a calculated decision to bring a corrosive substance to a party with the explicit intention of attacking Ms. Ashworth. The fact that I intercepted it doesn’t change her intent.”
“Was that… wise?” I asked hesitantly. “The Graysons are already furious with me.”
When we arrived at the police station, Julian, Mrs. Landon, and two men in expensive suits–clearly their lawyers–were already there. They huddled together in the waiting area, speaking in hushed tones. The moment Julian spotted me, he started to rise, but Damien’s lawyer intercepted us before Julian could approach.
His words warmed me, but the guilt lingered. “I never wanted to be someone
urden.”
Chapter 148 – Damien’s Stand, A Mother’s Unease
“I’m bringing chaos into your life,” I finally said, staring out the window at the passing city lights. “Maybe we should-‘
”
145 Chapter 148
Damien took my hand, his thumb gently stroking my palm. “The Graysons need to understand that you have protection now. That their actions have consequences. Julian needed to hear that directly from me.
Mrs. Landon’s face flushed with anger, but before she could respond, Damien’s phone rang again. He glanced at the screen and frowned slightly.
As the lawyer stepped away, Julian managed to evade his mother’s restraining hand and approached us.
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