The attempted hit in the parking garage became the talk of Wayne Corporation by sunrise.
Employees gathered in small groups, exchanging theories.
“Did you hear what happened?”
“I heard someone tried to run over Miss Carter.”
“Do you think it was really an accident?”
“No one knew the answer.
But everyone was talking.
Damian Takes Control
At exactly 8:00 a.m., Damian called an emergency meeting with the company’s security department.
The room was filled with security officers, Marcus Reed, and the head of corporate security, Captain James Holloway, a former military officer known for his discipline.
Damian stood at the head of the table.
“I don’t care how much it costs.”
“I want every camera in this building checked.”
“I want visitor logs reviewed.”
“And I want security increased immediately.”
Captain Holloway nodded.
“It will be done.”
Damian continued.
“Starting today, Miss Lily Carter will have security whenever she enters or leaves the building.”
Marcus looked at him.
“The board may question that decision.”
Damian’s eyes remained firm.
“They can question me later.”
“I’m not risking another attack.”
Lily’s Objection
Half an hour later, Lily entered Damian’s office after receiving his message.
She was surprised to see two security officers waiting outside.
She frowned.
“What are they doing here?”
Damian motioned for her to sit.
“They’re assigned to you.”
“What?”
“For your protection.”
Lily immediately shook her head.
“No.”
“I don’t need bodyguards.”
“You almost got hit by a car yesterday.”
“It could have been an accident.”
Damian looked at her steadily.
“No.”
“It wasn’t.”
She sighed.
“I don’t want everyone staring at me.”
“They already are.”
His voice softened.
“This isn’t about attention.”
“It’s about your safety.”
Lily looked away.
She hated feeling helpless.
But deep down…
She knew he was right.
Finally, she nodded.
“Alright.”
“But only until we know who’s behind this.”
Damian gave a small nod.
“Agreed.”
Victoria Grows Impatient
Across town, Victoria paced back and forth inside her penthouse.
Her assistant entered nervously.
“The parking garage incident failed.”
Victoria stopped walking.
“I know.”
“The driver said someone pulled Lily away.”
Victoria slammed her hand against the table.
“Useless.”
The assistant hesitated.
“What do we do now?”
Victoria took a deep breath.
“If fear isn’t enough…”
“We’ll destroy her reputation instead.”
She picked up another file.
Inside were edited photographs showing Damian and Lily standing close together at the hospital and on the office terrace.
“They don’t need to be real.”
“They only need to look believable.”
A Growing Friendship
Later that afternoon, Lily was working in the Strategic Planning Department when Daniel Foster approached her desk.
“You’ve done excellent work on the market analysis.”
He smiled warmly.
“I’d like you to present it at tomorrow’s executive meeting.”
Lily looked surprised.
“Me?”
“You earned it.”
She smiled.
“I’ll do my best.”
As Daniel walked away, Vanessa watched from across the room.
She narrowed her eyes.
“No matter where she goes…”
“People keep noticing her.”
Jealousy burned inside her.
The Investigation Breakthrough
Meanwhile, Marcus spent hours reviewing security footage from the parking garage.
He replayed the recording again and again.
Something caught his attention.
Just before the SUV accelerated…
Another vehicle had entered the garage.
A silver luxury sedan.
Marcus zoomed in on the license plate.
Part of the number was visible.
He immediately searched the company’s visitor records.
A few minutes later, his eyes widened.
The car had entered using a temporary visitor pass.
The pass had been requested by…
Victoria Harrington.
Marcus leaned back slowly.
“This can’t be a coincidence.”
He grabbed the file and hurried toward Damian’s office.
The Evidence
Damian looked up as Marcus entered without knocking.
“I’ve found something.”
Marcus placed printed screenshots on the desk.
“The SUV’s driver hasn’t been identified.”
“But…”
He pointed to the image of the silver sedan.
“This car entered the garage just minutes before the incident.”
Damian studied the photograph carefully.
“The visitor pass belongs to Victoria.”
Silence filled the office. This chapter was taken from g.com without permission.
Damian’s expression hardened.
“Is this enough?”
Marcus shook his head.
“It proves she was here.”
“Not that she ordered the attack.”
Damian clenched his fists.
“We’re getting closer.”
A Quiet Evening
After work, Lily gathered her things.
As she walked toward the lobby with the assigned security officers, she noticed Damian waiting near the entrance.
“You waited?”
“I wanted to make sure you got home safely.”
She smiled gently.
“You really don’t have to keep doing this.”
“I know.”
He opened the car door for her.
“But I will.”
She hesitated before getting in.
For a moment, she looked at him.
“Why?”
Damian was silent.
Then he answered honestly.
“Because somewhere along the way…”
“…you stopped being just another employee.”
Lily’s heart skipped.
Before she could respond, a voice interrupted them.
“So that’s how it is.”
Both turned.
Victoria stood a few meters away, her face pale with anger.
She had witnessed everything.
The way Damian looked at Lily.
The concern in his voice.
The gentleness he rarely showed anyone.
For the first time…
Victoria realized something she had refused to believe.
Damian wasn’t protecting Lily because she worked for him.
He was protecting her because she mattered.
And that realization filled Victoria with a dangerous rage.
She looked directly at Lily.
“This isn’t over.”
Then she turned and walked away.
Lily watched her disappear into the night.
A chill ran down her spine.
She had a feeling the real battle…
…was only beginning.