The Billionaire's Intern (Maya Thompson) novel Chapter 374

Chapter 170: The Cost of Silence-1

Damien felt it before he understood it.

The estate was too still.

Not the calm, controlled stillness he was accustomed to-but the kind left behind by an absence that didn’t belong. The kind that sharpened instinct and unsettled certainty.

He checked the time.

9:58 a.m.

His jaw tightened.

They should have been back.

Across the table, Ashcroft caught the shift almost immediately. His gaze drifting toward the corridor that led deeper into the house-then toward the front doors.

“Something wrong?” he asked casually, though his eyes were anything but idle.

Before Damien could respond, James entered the breakfast hall.

Impeccably dressed, as always-tailored suit, precise posture, professionalism worn like armor. A tablet rested in one hand, his attention split between the screen and the room.

He stopped just inside, inclining his head.

“Good morning, sir,” he said to Damien.

Then, turning slightly, “Mr. Ashcroft.”

Ashcroft acknowledged him with a lazy nod, already settling back into his chair.

James redirected his focus to Damien, slipping seamlessly into his practiced cadence.

“Sir, the concert tickets have been confirmed, and the full report you requested will be ready by noon.”

“No need,” Damien said flatly.

James paused. Blinked once.

“Excuse me, sir?”

Ashcroft leaned back, a faint smirk playing at his lips. “You heard him, Horton. He doesn’t

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need it anymore-unless he’s planning on completely upsetting the future Mrs.”

James froze. His gaze moved between the two men, recalibrating.

“Oh’ he said after a moment. That explains it.”

He glanced down at his tablet, scrolling.

Ms. Maya is a fan of the group. And if I’m reading this correctly.” He hesitated. “Jin is her bi

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ང་

That got ther attention.

Damen locked up sharply.

Ashcroft lifted a brow. “Her what?”

James rubbed the back of his neck-an uncharacteristic break in composure.

My niece is a K-pop fan,” he explained. “A ‘bias’ is the term used for a fan’s favorite member

within the group

Ashcroft studied him. “So this K-pop thing is actually real.”

James nodded. “Very much so. It’s a global phenomenon at this point. Many fans learn Korean just to understand the lyrics and interviews.” He paused. “Some travel internationally just to see them perform. Their following is… exceptionally devoted.”

Ashcroft let out a low whistle.

“Damn That sounds borderline cultish.”

Then he chuckled softly, shaking his head.

“Looks like you seriously overreacted this time, D. Maya was just fan-girling. You went a little

overboard

Damien’s gaze snapped to him-sharp, unyielding. “You were seconds away from flipping the table after what Harper said”

Ashcroft scoffed “You’re exaggerating

Damien didn’t blink. “Am 17”

James cleared his throat and wisely stayed silent.

Ashcroft checked his watch, brows lifting.

Chapter 170 The Cost of Silence 1

“Hell. Look at the time. We need to move, or we’ll be late for that meeting.”

Damien didn’t move.

“They need us more than we need them,” he said coolly. “They can wait.”

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