Damian pushed open the door to his office, phone still in his hand, sunlight cutting across his desk. He looked tired, emotionally drained from Selene and somehow excited at the same time from the hospital visit.

But the moment he saw Daniel standing, waiting confidently in a black suit, Damian straightened immediately.

“Mr. Daniel,” Damian said with a polite nod. “My apologies for keeping you waiting.”

Daniel smiled sharply. “Not a problem at all, Mr. Cross. I appreciate your time. And I got your email — I must say, I’m genuinely excited to work with Cross Empire.”

Damian gestured for him to sit, switching fully into his CEO mode.

“Likewise....