CLAIMED BY THE BILLIONAIRE'S ENEMY

Dangerous Connections

Chapter Five

The morning sun cast a golden glow over the glass exterior of Cross Group Headquarters. Inside the executive boardroom, a tense silence settled over the long mahogany table as directors waited for Damien Cross to arrive. The doors opened, Damien entered, looking slightly paler than usual. A faint bruise lingered near his temple, hidden beneath neatly combed dark hair, but his sharp gaze remained as intimidating as ever. Every board member rose to their feet. "Good morning, Mr. Cross." He acknowledged them with a nod before taking his seat at the head of the table. "Let's begin." The meeting lasted nearly two hours. Reports were presented, contracts reviewed, and investment proposals approved. Yet despite his composed exterior, Damien's mind repeatedly drifted back to the mysterious young woman who had saved him. As the last executive left, Ethan stepped into the room, "I've got something."

Damien looked up immediately. "You found her?"

"Not exactly." Ethan placed a thin folder on the table. "We interviewed more witnesses from the accident scene." Damien opened it, inside was a statement from a street vendor. "The lady who rescued him was carrying fresh flowers. She walked toward Maple Street after the ambulance left." Another witness reported seeing her hand a bouquet at an elderly woman only minutes before the accident. Damien closed the folder. "So she wasn't just carrying flowers..." "No, sir. She was giving them away." A faint smile crossed Damien's face. "Interesting." Ethan continued, "Maple Street has several flower shops. My team is checking each one quietly, just as you requested." "Good."

Damien stood and walked toward the window overlooking the city. "Don't let anyone know why we're looking for her." "You think someone else might be searching?" Damien's expression grew serious. "My accident wasn't ordinary." Ethan frowned. "The police said the truck lost control."

"So they believe." Damien folded his arms. "But my father also died in what was called an accident."

The room fell silent. Ethan understood what Damien wasn't saying aloud.

For years, the Cross family had been locked in a bitter rivalry with the powerful Hamilton family. Although neither side openly declared war, hostile business takeovers, legal battles, and suspicious incidents had become almost routine. Damien had learned long ago that enemies often hid behind polished smiles. "If someone caused that crash," he said quietly, "finding the woman who rescued me could put her in danger."

Meanwhile, Hart's Blossoms welcomed its usual morning customers. Lena carefully tied a ribbon around a bouquet of sunflowers for the young mother and her daughter. "They're beautiful," the little girl said, her eyes sparkling. "They're my favorite flowers," Lena replied with a smile. "They always seem to look toward the light.” The child hugged the bouquet tightly. "Thank you!" As they left, Maya walked into the shop carrying a paper bag. "I brought lunch." "You really didn't have to." "I know," Maya laughed. "That's why I did." The two friends sat behind the counter, sharing meat pies and cold drinks. "So," Maya began with a mischievous grin, "did anything exciting happen after we talked yesterday?" Lena shrugged. "Not really." "What about that accident everyone is talking about on the news?"

Lena paused for a moment. "I was there." Maya nearly dropped her drink. "You were what?" "I helped pull the driver out." "Lena!" Maya stared at her in disbelief, "Do you have any idea who that man was?" "I found out later." "And you didn't tell me?" Lena smiled sheepishly, "It didn't seem important." "Didn't seem important?" Maya exclaimed. "You saved the life of Damien Cross!"

Customers turned to look. Maya lowered her voice.

"The richest bachelor in the city is searching for the woman who saved him." Lena's smile faded. "I heard." "So... are you going to tell him?" Lena looked down at her hands. "I don't think so." "Why not?” "Because I didn't save him for a reward."

Maya sighed, "I know you didn't, but maybe he just wants to thank you."

Lena looked toward the shop window, where people hurried past on the sidewalk. "Our lives are completely different, Maya." "Maybe." "He belongs in skyscrapers and boardrooms." "And you belong?" Lena glanced around the little flower shop. "Right here."

Across the street, a black SUV slowed to a stop.

Ethan Brooks stepped out, pretending to study the neighboring stores, then his eyes settled on the sign above the flower shop. Hart's Blossoms. Through the large front window, he saw a young woman arranging fresh roses. Dark hair, gentle smile, flowers in her hands. He couldn't see her face clearly from this distance, but something about her made him stop. Taking out the blurry security image from the accident scene, Ethan compared it to the woman inside the shop. His heartbeat quickened. "Could it really be her?" Without taking his eyes off the shop, he reached for his phone.

"Mr. Cross," he said when Damien answered. "I think I've found the girl with flowers.”