Gregory's POV
The Blackwood estate was quiet except for the continuous tick of the grandfather clock in Gregory Blackwood’s study. Massive plush curtains blocked the morning light, casting the room in muted shadows. It was exactly the way Gregory liked it—controlled, deliberate, timeless.
He sat behind his massive mahogany desk, a glass of aged brandy in hand though the sun had barely risen. The low glow from the fireplace danced against the deep lines of his face. To the world, Gregory was a retired billionaire, the mastermind who had built Blackwood Enterprises from nothing but grit and cruel decisions. To Damian, however, he was still the cold, harsh father who believed emotions were a disease.
The door opened without a knock. Damian stepped in, tall and confident, his broad shoulde
