The Billionaire's Intern (Maya Thompson) novel Chapter 375

Chapter 16 The Cost of Silence-2

+25 Points

Chapter 170: The Cost of Silence-2

Alfred answered without hesitation, tone perfectly neutral.

“Ms. Dahlia and Ms. Maya have already left, sir.”

The words hit like a gunshot.

Damien stood abruptly, the chair scraping hard against the floor.

“What?!”

“Yes, sir,” Alfred said calmly. “They departed approximately twenty minutes ago.”

Damien’s fist clenched at his side, knuckles whitening, pulse suddenly loud in his ears.

Twenty minutes.

Ashcroft straightened, all humor gone.

“Left?” he echoed. “Together?”

Alfred inclined his head.

“Yes, Mr. Ashcroft. They exited through the rear gates.”

Damien reached into his pocket and pulled out his phone.

Maya’s name filled the screen as he hit call.

One ring.

Then two.

Straight to voicemail.

His thumb hovered for half a second before he ended the call, jaw tightening.

“Damn it.”

He didn’t waste time. He dialed again-this time his mother.

The line rang once before cutting off.

Voicemail.

The silence afterward felt louder than any unanswered call.

Chapter 170 The Cost of Silence-2

“Call Kim. Now!” His voice cut through the silence.

+25 Points

He didn’t wait for permission. James was already pulling out his phone, thumb moving fast across the screen. He turned slightly away, pacing once as the line rang.

A pause.

Then his expression shifted.

“…Sir,” James said carefully, lowering the phone. “She’s not picking up.”

That was enough.

Damien’s fist came down on the table with a sharp crack, the sound slicing through the room. The porcelain rattled. No one spoke.

The timing couldn’t have been worse-or more precise.

“Damien!”

Eleonor swept into the breakfast hall, Lee just behind her, arms occupied with a basket of freshly cut flowers-lavender and white roses spilling over the edge. She took one look at Damien’s expression and stopped short.

“What on earth is going on?” she demanded. “Why are you so angry?”

Damien didn’t answer her.

His gaze locked onto Lee.

“Why are you here?” Damien asked coldly. “Didn’t I tell you to accompany them to the firing range?”

Lee froze, clearly unprepared for the question. “S-sir-” He swallowed. “They… they canceled.”

Damien’s eyes darkened. “What do you mean they canceled?”

Lee straightened immediately, snapping into formality. “Kim contacted me earlier, sir. She instructed me to call the range and stand everyone down. Said Madam changed her mind and decided not to go.”

Damien took a step closer. “And you didn’t think to question that?”

“I did, sir,” Lee replied quickly. “I asked if they were heading somewhere else. Kim said no- that they’d decided to stay in today.”

Silence fell again. Thicker this time.

Chapter 170 The Cost of Silence 2

Damien’s jaw clenched, the pieces falling into place far too neatly.

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Eleonor studied Damien for a long moment, the tension in the room slowly giving way to understanding. Then, as the pieces finally aligned, a gentle-almost knowing-smile curved her lips.

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