The Billionaire's Intern (Maya Thompson) novel Chapter 468

Chapter 204: Under New Faces-2

+25 Points

Reserved only for the upper tier of Blackwood’s security division-personnel who had undergone advanced training, cleared higher-level assignments, and operated above standard field teams.

On paper, they sat alongside Monroe’s command structure. In practice, they were the handpicked few assigned to the company’s most sensitive, high-profile operations.

Rarely seen. Rarely deployed. Never casually present.

Designed to disappear into a crowd-yet somehow never actually did.

Every line served a purpose: mobility, precision, silence over display.

It was meant to blend in at a glance.

It never did.

It didn’t ask for attention.

It commanded it.

An understated warning in fabric form-saying without words that the person wearing it wasn’t

ordinary.

And somehow, on Damien, it fit too well.

Ashcroft looked up-and immediately frowned.

“This is fucked up,” he said flatly.

Damien didn’t even slow down. “You’ll live.”

Ashcroft pushed himself up from the chair just as James followed behind, moving toward the

couch where he picked up the second garment bag.

“Here’s your uniform, Mr. Ashcroft,” James said, holding it out.

Ashcroft took it with a muted, “Yeah, yeah.”

But his attention had already drifted again.

Still stuck on the message.

On whether she’d reply. On what she’d say. On whether she’d even-

No.

Focus.

16

|||

O

<

hapter 204 Under New Faces 2

+25 Points

He still checked his phone anyway, then checked it again a second later, like repetition might

somehow change the result.

Nothing.

Fuck this.

A sharp exhale left him as he locked the screen and shoved it back into his pocket, jaw tightening as if that alone could force the thought out of his head.

Damien glanced at him, catching the edge of irritation-or maybe something closer to

nervousness, though he didn’t comment on it. “Expecting a call?”

Ashcroft shot him a look. “No.” A beat. “I’ll go change.”

Without waiting for a response, he turned and headed toward the private room.

A few minutes later, Ashcroft stepped back out, now dressed in the same fitted black elite security

uniform.

On anyone else, it would have made them blend seamlessly into the building’s high-level security

personnel.

But on him-

It didn’t quite land the same.

Not the posture. Not the ease. Not the still-contained tension in his stance.

Damien’s gaze flicked over him once, assessing without hesitation.

“Relax your shoulders,” he said.

Ashcroft frowned. “They are relaxed.”

“They’re not.”

A quiet exhale left Ashcroft’s nose as he forced them down a fraction.

“Better,” Damien said.

“Don’t get used to it.”

Damien ignored him.

James stepped forward, tablet already in hand.

“Hudson and Cruz are in position,” he reported. “They’ll enter the conference room after Ms. Trina’s team arrives. It’ll appear as a standard meeting-nothing unusual.”

16

24

|||

O

Chapter 204 Under New Faces-2

Ashcroft’s focus sharpened immediately. “And us?”

+25 Points

James glanced down at the tablet. “Mid-meeting, you’ll enter with Monroe. He’ll introduce you both as elite security OICS assigned to the Isla Aurelia grand opening event.”

Ashcroft exhaled once. “Fine.”

Damien adjusted the cuff of his sleeve, his expression settling into something colder-less

conversation, more focus.

“How much longer before the meeting starts?”

“Five minutes, sir,” James replied. “They’re likely already on their way to the conference room.”

Damien gave a slight nod. “Let’s move to the private lounge. No one can see us from inside this

room.”

They exited the office together, stepping into the executive corridor as the building’s rhythm

continued around them-steady, unaware, unknowing, and completely unprepared.

As expected, Trina’s team arrived less than five minutes later and settled into the conference

room, the atmosphere shifting into something structured and formal.

Trina couldn’t help but notice how quiet the floor felt compared to usual. Her gaze moved briefly

across the room before settling on James.

“Mr. Horton,” she asked politely, “if you don’t mind me asking… the floor seems quieter than usual

today. Where is Ellie?”

James remained composed, offering a professional smile without missing a beat. “Oh, Ms. Woods

is on field work today. She’s meeting with some suppliers.”

Comments

SAY

LUCK DRAW

Vote

1.1K

16

|||

O

Г