Her Divorce, His Downfall (Sophia and Damian) novel Chapter 164

Chapter 164 A Threat Wrapped in Silk

Damian gave her a brief, flat look, and when he finally spoke, his voice carried zero warmth.

“Mom, I know what I’m doing.”

Catherine could see the resolve carved into his face. The words she wanted to say crumbled before they left her mouth. She sighed and let it go.

She knew her son too well. Once he’d made up his mind about something, he wouldn’t turn back even if he slammed headfirst into a brick wall.

Forget a brick wall. He wouldn’t turn back even if it cost him his life.

Damian had grown up with every privilege. Whatever he wanted, he got. After he married, it took him less than a few years to build his company from the ground up, take it public, and turn it into one of the top tech firms in New York City.

He’d never known failure. The only thing that had ever truly brought him to his knees was love.

Bradley picked up his glass, took a measured sip, and cleared his

throat. Bradley had been reserved and composed his entire life. He rarely lowered himself to give advice, but tonight, he made an exception.

“Damian, you’re the most talented and outstanding of your generation in the Hall family. I’ve always had high expectations for you.

“You took a serious beating as punishment and just got out of the hospital today. Let Kevin take care of your recovery. Don’t worry about anything else for now. The friction between you and Julian has already done damage to the family’s reputation.

“From now on, you are not to let personal feelings jeopardize the family’s unity. Ms. Fitzgerald is Julian’s fiancée. She will be your aunt. Remember that, and don’t make the same mistake again.”

He paused for a moment, then shifted his gaze to Julian. His voice was as steady as if he were chairing a committee meeting.

“Julian, Damian is still young and hot–blooded. When the boy screws up, he deserves whatever punishment comes his way, and I won’t shield him from it. But at the end of the day, he’s our family. He’s the nephew you and I watched grow up. You can break his bone, but deep down, he’s our flesh and blood.

“As the elders of this family, we need to keep our heads on straight. When the younger generation makes a mistake, we 29ect them. We guide them. But we don’t let it breed

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resentment. Mom is getting on in years. All she wants is a family at peace and children who make her proud.”

Bradley looked into Julian’s unfathomable eyes and spoke with deliberate weight.

“Giving him a chance is giving the Hall family a future. You’re his uncle by blood. You should understand that better than anyone.”

Julian met Bradley’s earnest gaze and smiled. His tone was mild and agreeable.

“You’re absolutely right, Bradley. Whatever else happens, Damian is my nephew. As long as he stays in line, I’ll look after

him.”

A smile lingered on his lips, but his eyes were frozen solid. His fingertip tapped the table lightly, his thoughts already drifting elsewhere, calculating something far removed from what he’d just promised.

Satisfied with the answer, Bradley turned his attention back to Damian’s expressionless face and waited for a response.

Damian glanced sidelong at Julian. He wasn’t naive enough to believe it was anything more than a performance, Behind that polished smile, Julian was certainly plotting something of his

gwe.

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Everyone was playing “one big happy family” right now. Fine. He could play too.

To keep the old guard at the Hall Residence off his back, he had to swallow his pride and play the long game.

Damian looked up and gave Bradley a cool, measured nod.

“Uncle Bradley, I’ll take your words to heart.”

Seeing Julian and Damian act so “mature” and “harmonious” put Bradley at ease. A satisfied smile crossed his face, and he moved on.

“Damian, New York City is about to open bidding on an AI integration project for the hospital system. The goal is to build a next–generation AI–powered diagnostic framework, embedding artificial intelligence throughout the entire clinical workflow to boost efficiency and cut staffing costs. The technical requirements are extremely high.

“I recall you mentioned that Polaris Tech was planning to expand into the AI sector. That lines up perfectly with this municipal project. Talk to Theodore for the full tender requirements and specifications. He has the complete documentation.

“New York is the pilot city for this initiative. If it succeeds here,

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every hospital AI integration contract across the entire country goes to the winning bidder automatically. We’re talking a

minimum of a hundred billion at scale. Damian, brief your team and get your bid materials ready.”

Artificial intelligence?

Sophia’s fingers curled. A ripple of interest stirred inside her.

If Zenith Corporation signed Aurora Tech, their odds of winning the city’s AI integration contract would skyrocket.

She wanted Zenith Corporation in that bid too.

But Damian’s Polaris Tech was no joke, and the two of them were at each other’s throats. Trying to snatch a project from him would be next to impossible.

Daniel had caught wind of the AI boom recently too. He hadn’t expected the city government to roll out a project this fast.

He fixed a heavy gaze on Damian and said firmly, “Damian, Uncle Bradley is handing you an opportunity. Don’t squander it.”

“Got it.”

Damian gave a flat nod, as if a hundred–billion–dollar project was barely worth his attention.

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every hospital AI integration contract across the entire country goes to the winning bidder automatically. We’re talking a

minimum of a hundred billion at scale. Damian, brief your team and get your bid materials ready.”

Artificial intelligence?

Sophia’s fingers curled. A ripple of interest stirred inside her.

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