Nine Hot Therians and Their Only One Queen novel Chapter 504

**Chapter 504: The Price of Favor**

The mere fact that Lucien and Calum had chosen not to disguise their conversation about Damian in Silas’s presence spoke volumes. It was a clear message, one that Silas understood all too well.

He remained silent in response to Alaric, a storm of thoughts swirling in his mind. Without a word, he rose from his seat and made his way to Lucien’s room, his instincts urging him to keep a watchful eye on his friend.

As he stepped into the room, the familiar buzz of his device cut through the tension. A message from Corvin illuminated the screen, drawing his attention away from the chaos of his thoughts.

‘Silas, I want to help Damian. Do you have any idea how I can do that?’

Corvin was tossing and turning on his bed, his mind racing with questions and concerns, sleep eluding him like a fleeting shadow.

He was torn. Damian had once come to his aid, lending him a significant sum of money when he needed it most. The weight of that favor still pressed heavily upon him. Back then, before the complexities of their lives intertwined with Emma, they had shared a bond that felt unbreakable.

Now, witnessing Damian’s struggles, Corvin felt an overwhelming desire to assist him. Yet, the world of finance was foreign territory for him. His strengths lay in the intricate designs of mechas and warships, not in the murky waters of market dealings or investments.

The financial aspects of their lab had always been the domain of his older brother. Corvin had dedicated himself entirely to engineering and development, his focus unwavering. He had sought his brother’s counsel on how best to support Damian, but all they could provide was a mere financial lifeline; anything beyond that was simply out of reach.

After overhearing Lucien and Calum’s conversation earlier, Corvin’s unease deepened. If Damian was willing to relinquish sixty percent of his profits while still needing to pay his employees, how would he survive? Would he be left with nothing but scraps?

For a moment, Silas stared at Corvin’s message, contemplating his next move. He hadn’t planned on replying, but he knew Corvin too well. If he chose silence, Corvin would likely spend the entire night fretting over the situation.

Finally, after a brief moment of hesitation, Silas crafted a response.

‘Damian is far more adept at business than you realize. If he’s prepared to sacrifice that much of his profit, then he must have a plan in place. This situation might not be as dire as you think. His affairs are not worth your sleepless nights. Instead, channel that energy into completing your orders more efficiently. The sooner you finish, the more time you’ll have to spend with Emma.’

While many were keeping a close watch on Damian, few had the courage to intervene. In reality, only Lucien and Calum had the audacity to disregard the opinions of the Empire’s elite.

The following morning, Emma was barely awake when the echoes of raised voices reverberated through the starrail’s living room.

“What on earth is happening out there?” she asked, turning to Edric, who had just returned from outside, his expression a mixture of amusement and concern.

“Did they wake you?” he inquired, his brow raised in curiosity.

Emma shook her head, her eyes sparkling with intrigue. “No, I was already awake when I heard the commotion.”

It was likely Calum who had been using his mental power to shield her from the noise, and he must have lowered it the moment he sensed her stirring.

Edric chuckled, shaking his head. “I have no idea what Calum is up to this time. The higher-ups in the Empire have been bombarding him with calls since dawn. They’re all on edge.”

Emma’s eyes brightened at the prospect.

Before he could finish his tirade, a middle-aged man in a crisp government uniform, his hair slicked back with precision, interjected sharply.

“Calum, have you lost your senses? We’ve supported Nexus Prime Tech since its inception, nurturing it to stand on its own, and you waltz in as if it’s yours. Are you trying to provoke us?”

Calum remained unfazed, leaning back casually, legs crossed, a steaming cup of tea cradled in his hands as if the tempest of anger swirling around him was nothing more than a gentle breeze.

He exhaled lightly across the rim of his cup, lifting his gaze with an icy amusement flickering in his eyes.

“Pick a fight? With you?” he murmured, his tone low and mocking. “You’re not even worthy.”

Calum’s voice, though soft, sliced through the air like a knife. The atmosphere in the living room grew colder with each calculated word he uttered.

His gaze drifted lazily over the furious holographic figures, a smirk playing on his lips, devoid of any respect.

“Nexus Prime Tech was built by Damian himself. Your so-called support was merely a facade—you recognized his talent and the company’s potential, but all you offered were empty promises, planting your own people like parasites, waiting for the day you could siphon off his hard work and claim it as your own.”

He set his teacup down with a sharp clink, the sound echoing like a hammer striking against their egos.

“And you dare call that support? Spare me. Your methods make mine look like a saint’s. At least I’m honest about my intentions. I want money—nothing more. I don’t interfere with his choices. He has complete autonomy…”