Chapter 7 – THE COUSIN WHO WANTED THE EMPIRE
Adrian Bianchi arrived at the mansion on a Thursday evening.
He wore a tailored gray suit.
His smile was polished.
His eyes were not.
“Damon.”
They embraced briefly.
“Adrian.”
His cousin looked around.
“I hear Aunt Isabella had another episode.”
Damon’s expression hardened.
“She wandered during a snowstorm.”
Adrian nodded.
“Terrible.”
He glanced toward the sitting room.
“Who’s the girl?”
Damon followed his gaze.
Delaney was reading aloud to Isabella.
“Her name is Delaney.”
Adrian smiled.
“The waitress?”
Damon looked at him.
“Yes.”
Adrian laughed.
“Interesting company you’re keeping.”
Damon didn’t laugh.
Later, Adrian entered the study.
He noticed the fireplace panel had been repaired.
His expression changed.
“Renovating?”
Damon looked up.
“Something like that.”
Adrian approached the desk.
“Anything I should know?”
Damon smiled faintly.
“Not yet.”
The financial review continued.
The red notebook contained records suggesting that Adrian had used family companies to move money without proper authorization.
Several entries raised concerns about fraud and misuse of charitable funds.
Damon confronted him privately.
“Explain these transfers.”
Adrian stared at the documents.
Then laughed.
“You’re trusting an old notebook?”
Damon nodded.
“I’m asking questions.”
Adrian leaned forward.
“You’ve become soft.”
Damon looked at him.
“Because I’m investigating financial misconduct?”
“Because you’re letting a waitress influence you.”
Damon’s expression changed.
“Leave Delaney out of this.”
Adrian smiled coldly.
“Interesting.”
That night, Adrian left the mansion furious.
Delaney found Damon in the library.
He looked exhausted.
“Everything okay?”
He smiled faintly.
“Family problems.”
She nodded.
“Those can be the worst.”
He looked at her.
“You have experience?”
She smiled sadly.
“Enough.”
He took a breath.
“Delaney, I’m sorry you got pulled into this.”
She shook her head.
“I chose to help your mother.”
He looked at her.
“And I’m grateful.”
For a moment, their eyes met.
Something unspoken passed between them.
Neither moved.
Then Isabella called from upstairs.
“Damon!”
He sighed.
Delaney laughed.
“Duty calls.”
Damon smiled.
And followed her toward the staircase.
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