The Billionaire's Intern (Maya Thompson) novel Chapter 147

VERMICE 12 STREAyen Encho pero Z

Chapter 73: Scripted Encounters-2

Damien’s gaze sharpened. “So what changed?”

“They insisted. Said they’d send their ‘least influential’ talent and only charge half the regular fee. All they wanted was the experience for their roster. I asked who it would be-they didn’t say. Just that they’d send the talent directly, and if we didn’t like him, they’d replace him at no extra cost.”

“And you agreed?” Ashcroft asked.

Trina hesitated, guilt shadowing her expression. “I shouldn’t have, but it seemed like a bargain, and we were tight on time. But when Ethan Miller walked in.”

She shook her head. “He’s not some mid-tier model. He’s one of Orion’s biggest names. That’s not what we agreed on.”

“And you didn’t pull the plug?” Damien asked.

“I tried,” she said quickly. “I called Orion before the meeting and said we were declining. They pushed back-told me Mr. Miller had already contacted them directly and updated the contract himself.”

Damien’s brows pulled tight. “And those terms?”

“No fee. He’s waiving everything. Just asked for accommodations and meals. Said he wanted to be part of the campaign-for free.”

Ashcroft let out a dry laugh. “Generous.”

“I thought the same. It felt off. It was… too good to be true. So I called Media Relations, thinking maybe he had a scandal and this was damage control.”

Damien’s voice was cold. “And?”

“Nothing. Clean. No rumors, no controversies. His record is spotless.”

Ashcroft’s tone dropped, eyes flicking to the door like he expected someone listening. “That’s not a coincidence. It reeks of orchestration.”

mien didn’t respond right away. His eyes were distant, jaw clenched, the silence between nem heavy with calculation.

Then, without looking at her, his voice sliced through the air-measured, cold, and deliberate.

“Keep eyes on him. Every move. I don’t want Maya alone with him-ever. Limit interaction.

174

Take my 13 Convited Encounters-2

None is better.”

Trina stiffened. “Understood.”

“Don’t trust a word he says. No matter how harmless he seems.”

A pause, then a darker edge crept into his tone.

“If there’s any clean way to get rid of him-do it,” Damien added coldly. “I don’t care if he walks out on his own or decides this isn’t worth his time. Make it happen.”

There was a pause before Trina replied, her voice steady despite the tension crackling in the room. “I’ll handle it, Mr. Blackwood.”

“You may go,” Damien said, his tone final.

Trina gave a crisp nod and turned, her footsteps tapping softly against the polished marble- each one echoing like the start of a silent countdown.

The door had barely closed when Damien turned to James.

“Make sure Lee is with Maya,” he said, voice low but commanding. “Close enough to intervene. I don’t care if she knows. His priority is her safety.”

James gave a crisp nod. “Understood.” He hesitated, then asked, “And his manager?”

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