FATED TO YOU, MR DAMON

Chapter Eight

ACE’S POV



“Why did you cancel the board meeting?”

Tiara’s voice sliced through the room the moment she barged into my office.

I didn’t answer immediately.

Instead, I finished reviewing the document in front of me… then closed it calmly.

Only then did I look up.

“I believe I’m capable of making that decision.”

Her expression tightened instantly.

“Just because Grandpa handed you the CEO position doesn’t mean you can start making reckless moves.”

A faint smirk touched my lips.

“Handed?” I repeated, my tone calm… but edged. “I wasn’t handed anything, Tiara. I built results in London. That’s why I’m here.”

Her eyes narrowed.

“And you think I didn’t work hard here?” she snapped. “I’ve been holding things together long before you decided to come back.”

“I’m aware.”

The air between us grew tense.

Heavy.

Then she stepped closer, lowering her voice.

“I’m telling you this as your elder cousin,” she said. “You’ve been away too long. You don’t understand how things work here anymore.”

I leaned back slightly, completely unfazed.

“I know exactly what I’m doing.”

She held my gaze.

Searching.

Challenging.

Then she scoffed.

“We’ll see how far that confidence takes you,” she said coldly. “Just don’t disappoint Grandpa.”

Without another word—

She turned and walked out.

“I just saw Tiara storm out,” Nick said as he walked in, shutting the door behind him. “She looked like she was ready to start a war.”

“She’s upset about the board meeting,” I replied.

He let out a low whistle. “Yeah… you caught her off guard. And trust me—she won’t let that slide.”

“I’m not expecting her to.”

Nick studied me for a moment… then smirked.

“But that’s not what I’m really here for.”

I didn’t look up.

“I drove her home,” I said before he could speak.

His grin widened immediately.

“So you admit it.”

“It was coincidence.”

“Sure,” he said dryly. “And I’m the president.”

I finally lifted my gaze to him.

“I don’t stalk people.”

“People?” he repeated. “Or Elena?”

I didn’t answer.

I didn’t need to.

That alone told him everything.

He leaned back, clearly enjoying himself.

“You still have more to say, don’t you?”

I returned my attention to my laptop.

“Yesterday, I found out why I couldn’t reach her back then.”

Nick raised a brow. “Oh?”

“She changed her number.”

Silence filled the room.

Then—

“That’s it?” he said. “That’s what kept you two apart all these years?”

“I suppose.”

He shook his head slowly.

“You ever think things would’ve been different if you stayed in touch?”

My fingers paused briefly over the keyboard.

Just for a second.

“I don’t deal in assumptions,” I said.

“Right,” he muttered. “You deal in control.”

“What about that Zen guy?” he asked.

My expression didn’t change.

“He’ll be out in a few days,” I said. “But he won’t be working in any corporate space again.”

Nick let out a low chuckle.

“He really chose the wrong person to mess with.”

I said nothing.

“Man had the guts to touch Ace Damon’s woman—”

“Watch your words,” I said calmly.

My tone didn’t rise.

But it was enough.

Nick raised both hands immediately. “Alright. Message received.”

A knock sounded on the door.

“Come in.”

Jerome stepped in. “Sir, Mr. Jing is waiting in the conference room.”

I stood, adjusting my suit.

“Let’s go,” Nick said, grinning. “Time to handle business.”

I walked past him toward the door.

Focused.

Composed.

Unshaken.

But somewhere—

Behind the control…

Behind the precision…

Behind everything I allowed the world to see—

She was still there.