Veiled Inheritance of a Secret Billionaire

Damien's Silent Struggle “You killed him! You killed my husband, and you feel you can stay comfortably in this home? Impossible!” Lady Agatha Hayes dragged Damien Whitlock at any slight chance she had. She kept hammering on the claim that Damien killed her 87-year-old husband, hoping to frustrate him into eventually leaving Hayes’ estate. Who wouldn't know it was natural for someone of that age to die? She simply took pleasure in bullying Damien Whitlock at every slight opportunity. For the past nine months, since Damien had been staying in the Hayes’ estate, it has been hell for him. He has never for once seen the good sides of Lady Agatha. The humiliation was only limited when Lord Ronan Hayes was alive, but now that his benefactor has departed to the land of no return, he is left alone to endure the cruelty of Lady Agatha. What a pity! “It's enough, Grandma; he didn't kill Grandpa, he didn't, for crying out loud.” “Taa.” A thunderous slap landed on Tessa's face as she argued with her grandmother to defend Damien. Tessa held the left side of her face firmly with her right palm as if trying to keep it from falling while staring blankly at her grandmother. With lightning speed, tears welled down her eyes. “But, my lady, Tessa is right. She didn't deserve this. I didn't kill him. An autopsy was eventually carried out by one of the best doctors in Nexa district immediately after the death of our beloved legend, and the result of the test was that he died naturally, so…” “Shut your stinking mouth!" Lady Agatha snapped, cutting Damien off as he continued to speak. “You have the effrontery to look at my face and spew rubbish?” The truth of the matter hit her like a ton of bricks; it hurt her even more hearing that from the person she termed “trash”. “And as for you,” she turned to Tessa, “How dare you support this homeless nonentity? Even to the extent of raising your voice at me? This poor brat you called husband has charmed you by making you his wife, and now to disregard your mother's mother? You're doomed for what you just did. And I'd make sure you both have no small chance to speak with each other.” her eyes almost bulged out of her head as she kept yelling at Tessa. “Now, you i***t, get the whole of the compound swept after you're done mopping my room.” “Yes ma,” Damien responded. “I told this old man before his death, not to help this i***t called Damien, but my husband's response was usually two. The first is, “The boy is good at his tech. Job and would help boost the Hayes company's goal to the apex, and second, it's a mystery you won't understand now, but later in the future.” Her thoughts went on a rampage as she remembered those two statements of her husband whenever she talked down about Damien. “My lady, I'm done cleaning the 5 bedrooms upstairs”, A lady kneeling right in front of Lady Agatha said, interrupting her thought. “Berta, what's the problem? Done cleaning?” Lady Agatha asked sharply. “Yes ma,” the maid replied, fixing her gaze on the shining floor tiles. Her voice was barely above a whisper; she dared not make eye contact with the almighty Lady Agatha, especially when she was burning like a fire. “Tessa, get it cleaned again!” “Get what cleaned? Am I now a maid in my own grandfather's home? Besides, it's already been done. Berta just said so.” She retorted Tessa's heart was pounding as she spoke; it would be the last thing she'd expect from her grandmother. Little did she know that that was just the tip of the iceberg. The worst of Lady Agatha is yet to come. “Get it done now! Or you face the consequences” Oh… Okay, ma. Tessa wiggled as she headed to do the chores. “You can take your leave, Berta, get something else to do”, Lady Agatha ordered the maid. “Yes, my lady,” like a well-oiled machine, Berta stood and ran out to get something else fixed up. A few minutes later, Damien came in. “I'm done sweeping the entire compound.” “So? Get the dogs' food and get them fed.” “I… I should feed the dogs?” Damien thought. The memories of Lord Ronan Hayes holding his hands in his office nine months ago when they met, replayed in his mind like a perfectly edited video. He gave his hands a reassuring squeeze, telling him; “Take every responsibility at Hayes’ Technology very seriously, even when the company doesn't belong to you and has its director. Sooner, you would understand better.” If not for the care Lord Ronan had shown him, care he has to reciprocate even when he's no more, maybe he would have left and eloped with his wife. But he has to take care of the company, even when he has no power to take it over. The fact that he's not a biological child or grandchild of Lord Hayes, not even from his family and still being treated like one by him baffles everyone's mind. Could it be because of his intellect? “Would you say you didn't hear me?” Lady Agatha shouted. Damien fidgeted slightly, pulling himself out of his thoughts. Before he could respond, Lady Agatha’s phone rang; it was Edwin Vaughn, the director of Hayes’ Technology. She didn't hesitate to pick up, as she knew Edwin could only be calling her based on the company's issue. “Your Excellency, ma. I'd like to inform you that Damien's presence is highly needed in the office as we speak ma.” Edwin’s voice came through the phone. “I don't know why he's not there yet, he should have been at the office. If you think he feels too pompous and takes his job lightly, please, get him sacked.” “uhhhhh” Edwin laughed. “Any problem?” Lady Agatha asked curiously. “Nothing much. But he can't be sacked, ma; he's been the backbone of Hayes Technology ever since he arrived.” Edwin responded. “Mtcheww” She hissed and hung up the call on Edwin. “The dogs’ food? I'll get them fed now.” Damien continued from where their conversation ended before her phone rang. “Tell one of the maids to get it done & be on your way to the office now.” “Yes ma'am,” Damien said, bowing to her before he left for the office. At Hayes Technology, all hands were on deck as all staff focused on their computers, working diligently. It was 10:17am when Damien rushed into the office, panting. The first person he met was the director, supervising the staff as he shoved his hands in his two sides pockets. “Good morning Sir.” Damien greeted. “What's good about the morning? What time is it on your watch?” Edwin Vaughn responded coldly to Damien's greetings.