Chapter 3

3.

The deafening electronic music and flashing lights in the club made Damian’s migraine even worse.

He spotted Lily right away, surrounded by a few men in a booth. She was wearing an innocent white cocktail dress, her makeup delicate and tasteful, looking utterly pitiful.

The men were laughing, trying to force drinks on her.

The same boring drama.

Damian's patience was gone. His mind was consumed with that damn woman, Elena. But he still strode over. After all, Lily was the daughter of his father's late business partner, a family friend. He had a duty to look after her.

"Get lost!"

Damian's cold command and powerful presence instantly intimidated the guys trying to take advantage of the situation. He pulled Lily behind him, glaring at them.

"She's with me. You got a problem with that?"

Seeing Damian's expensive suit and commanding aura, the men knew he was trouble. They quickly apologized and scurried away.

"Damian…" Lily immediately threw herself into his arms, trembling, tears falling like broken pearls. "I was so scared… Thank you for saving me…"

The same old script, the same old lines.

In the past, Damian might have comforted her. But today, he just felt incredibly annoyed.

He gently pushed her away, his tone cold. "Stay out of places like this."

Lily stepped back from his embrace, sensing his distance. She bit her lip, her eyes red as she looked at him. "Damian, are you mad at me? Is it because of… Elena?"

She mentioned my name cautiously. "I saw the scarf… It's all my fault. I accidentally left it in your car and made you two fight. Damian, don't blame Elena. She's just worried because she cares about you so much. Should I go explain to her? Apologize?"

Her words sounded understanding, but every sentence was designed to add fuel to the fire, blaming our entire conflict on me being overly dramatic.

As expected, Damian’s expression darkened.

"Stay out of it," he said coldly, turning to leave.

"Damian!" Lily cried out, grabbing him from behind and wrapping her arms around his waist. "Don't go! Are you going to find Elena? Don't! She's angry right now. If you go to her, she'll only hurt you!"

"Let go," Damian warned, his voice low.

"I won't!" Lily cried even harder. "Damian, I don't want to see you get hurt by her! She doesn't understand you at all. All she knows is how to threaten you with divorce! She doesn't love you!"

"I said, let go!"

Damian spun around and violently threw her off. The force sent Lily stumbling back, nearly falling to the ground.

She looked at Damian in disbelief. It was the first time he had ever been so rough with her.

Damian’s chest rose and fell rapidly, his eyes filled with a storm of emotions he couldn't comprehend himself.

Lily’s words were a poison dart, hitting him exactly where he was most vulnerable.

She doesn't love you.

No. Impossible.

Elena had loved him for ten years. How could she not love him?

This had to be just another tantrum. Yes, that's all it was.

Damian forced himself to calm down, took out his phone, and called his lawyer again.

"Mr. Thorne."

"Tell Elena," Damian said, his voice slow and deliberate, filled with an authority that expected no argument, "I do not agree to the divorce. Tell her to stop playing these stupid games and get her ass back home, now!"

He thought his harsh stance would be enough to make her see reality and surrender.

However, the lawyer on the other end of the line was silent for a few seconds before replying in a professional, business-like tone.

"I'm sorry, Mr. Thorne. Ms. Vance anticipated this reaction. She asked me to inform you that if you refuse to sign, she will file a lawsuit immediately."

"She is in possession of… certain financial evidence that would be very damaging to you and the Thorne Group."