That day, the Hart family was visited by the very benefactor who had saved them a year ago.
"Ms Blackwell, what brings you to our home?" Evan asked, his tone deferential.
Damian Blackwell, clad in a perfectly tailored black suit, stood with two imposing bodyguards flanking him. He exuded a noble, regal air, like a monarch among mortals. His presence alone created an oppressive weight that made everyone in the room uneasy—a sense that he was untouchable, an otherworldly force to be feared.
Damian said nothing. His piercing gaze lingered briefly on Evan.
"Mr Blackwell is here to discuss some matters with you," Cole Brennan, his subordinate, quickly explained.
Evan's composure faltered for a moment, but he recovered and replied respectfully, "Why must Mr Blackwell come personally? He could have informed me, and I would have come to his office."
The man standing before him could shake the entire state with a word. Evan knew better than to say anything offensive—especially as they remained indebted to him.
But that wasn't why Evan had resisted the visit.
What he truly feared was exposing his cousin, Lulu, to Damian.
She was at home.
Evan still hadn't found the courage to tell her that he had signed her over to Damian to save his father and the Hart family. Every time he attempted, the words died in his throat—he could not bear to shatter her innocent world.
He could not bear the thought of tears in her eyes.
He could not steal her pure, untainted smile.
Evan quietly led Damian to the lounge, silently calculating how to keep Lulu away from the room. Servants presented refreshments, but Evan's attention was split, engaged in conversation with Cole Brennan, while Damian remained silent. Even in stillness, his presence dominated the room. In his shadow, their expensive villa felt like a peasant's dwelling.
Evan could not leave; he could not risk offending Damian.
After all, the contract clearly stated that Damian could terminate it at any time. If that happened, the Hart family would be forced to pay an astronomical sum—or see their company and assets seized.
And Damian didn't need the contract to make them suffer. A simple gesture from him could obliterate the Hart family overnight—no one would dare question it. That was the extent of his power.
Until today, Evan had not understood why Damian would involve himself with them. His cousin was attractive, yes—but Damian had no shortage of beautiful women in his life.
Seated on the couch, long legs crossed, Damian's cold eyes suddenly sharpened as he scanned the room. But the one he sought was not yet in sight.
A small, lopsided smile curved his lips—calm, indifferent, almost playful in its quiet menace.
"Where is Luna Hart?" he asked suddenly.
Evan froze. Rage surged, but he swallowed it. For anyone else, he would have torn them apart for such audacity. But Damian was no ordinary man.
To act recklessly would endanger his entire family.
"She is not home," Evan said, bitterness tinting his tone.
"Isn't it the weekend?" Damian's gaze pierced him, seeing straight into his unease.
Evan's fists clenched.
"Ms Blackwell," he said carefully, keeping his voice low, "I hope you remember that the contract stated my cousin must only enter your manor once she turns twenty. I trust you will honour that."
He knew there was nothing he could do if Damian insisted on taking her—he could not protect her. That thought haunted him relentlessly.
After a long, imposing silence, Damian spoke.
"So... she is at home?"
Evan's chest tightened. A weight pressed down on him. He lowered his gaze and admitted quietly, "She is upstairs."
"I wish to see her."
Though polite in tone, Evan knew he could not refuse. He inhaled deeply and stood.
"I'll bring her," he said.
He wrestled with the words he would say to her—he could not yet tell her the truth of her situation. All he could do was frame Damian as an important, untouchable man and instruct her to show reverence.
But Evan never had the chance to prepare her.
Lulu was already making her way downstairs.