[30]

“Where's Miya?” asked Damian as he hopped down from the saddle. He adjusted his coat a little and glanced at the clock on his left arm. He didn't expect to have to spend so much time with someone he thought was useless. It seemed like he should put his people around Rebecca. Damian did not expect that the woman could act without fear of the warning he had given.

His black horse seemed distracted by the darkness around it. That made Damian come closer and give a gentle stroke on Kaffa's back-the name of Damian's favorite black horse. "I am sorry for bringing you to this place too late at night. But rest easy, there's Orion and Hommie. You can be with them in a little while,” Damian said. As though Kaffa understood his owner's words, the black horse began to calm down.

“You have arrived, sir.” One of the servants approached Damian hurriedly.

“Where's Miya?” Damian only glanced at the servant who had just arrived and handed him Kaffa's bridle. As well as the thick coat he wore to ward off the cold tonight to the other servant. Not far from where Damian handed the horse to the servant, three large tents with bright lights were clearly visible.

“Miss Miya is by the campfire. She's still talking to Mr. Marcus and Mr. Victor." One of the servants informed with his head slightly bowed. Accepting the long coat that her master wore while on his way to the middle of the forest this night. Making sure it didn't have even a little dirt on it. Damian did not like it when his clothes were dirty. “Would you like me to bring some wine, Mr. Damian?”

“No need. Just make sure everything is fine and there are no distractions. And prepare a car for Marcus and Victor, in case they decide to go home.”

“Yes, sir.”

Damian's feet soon made their way to where Miya was. Missing out on the few hours he could have spent with Miya, really made his heart ache. But if not for Marcus' warning, Damian would have messed up his plans a little. The curly-haired man would not hesitate to approach the person who had made Rebecca act as she did earlier. Or... it was likely that when they arrived at the Harbor, there would be a battle of bloodshed. Getting rid of the only person who had never been able to align with his path from the beginning.

Leonard Sawyer.

That man had gone too far in Damian's business. The thought of that made Damian's hands clench into fists. His teeth clashed against each other making a terrifying snapping sound. This also caused his facial expression to grow flatter and colder, the intimidation evident there.

“I will not stay silent,” he said determinedly.

There was Miya's laughter which was also heard in Marcus' voice as well as Victor's. As was the custom when the two men got together; there was always a debate and no one would budge. It was not uncommon for them to throw curses and insults at each other. Even so, they had never gotten into a fistfight. Maybe the truth was, they cared about each other and being Damian's confidants meant they had to work together no matter what.

Somehow those voices made the anger Damian had been harboring in his heart start to dissipate little by little. Until without realizing it, the smile on his lips pulled a little. Moreover, hearing the debate was also accompanied by Miya's voice, who sometimes laughed and sometimes replied to Victor's words.

It seemed that their relationship was not as quickly familiar as Miya who was easily familiar with Marcus. In Damian's eyes, it was natural considering Victor sometimes acted very annoying. Unlike Marcus who preferred to respond to things cheerfully and enthusiastically. You could even say that the idea of riding and camping tonight was his idea. The idea that saved Miya's condition at Damian's mansion from Rebecca's attention.

Perhaps if only Rebecca knew about it, Damian would have no problem at all. In fact, if necessary, Damian would intentionally introduce her to the woman so that she would realize correctly, Damian never messed around with his wishes. He needed a heir-no, Sawyer needed a heir. In a very cheeky coincidence, Damian is the first son and heir to many of the things his father left behind. And it couldn't be managed freely in Damian's hands if he didn't have a successor until he was... 35 years old. Which means next year, according to the will made by his father-Russel Sawyer.

Who knows what was in his father's mind to make such a ridiculous will. Damian couldn't understand it, but it seemed pointless to protest. There was no way he would grumble in front of his father's grave, right?

“Ah, you're very late, Mr. Sawyer,” Victor said in a half-satirical tone. At the man who had just joined them where the campfire was getting bigger and the atmosphere was getting more lively. Actually, Victor had expected Damian's arrival to be a little late. It's just that he didn't expect that the man chose to stand not far from where they gathered together.

Damian only stares at one person with a fairly intense gaze as if he doesn't want to be distracted by anything. But how long would he do that? All night long? Seriously. That's why Victor made a sound. Making Marcus and Miya turn their eyes to the man who had just arrived-Damian Sawyer.

Miya who looked like she was about to speak-at least she intended to interrupt Damian-but immediately abandoned that intention. Somehow seeing Damian who looked serious and unperturbed made her nerves shrink. Yet he couldn't tear his eyes away from Damian, where the man continued to stride... towards him?

“You seem to be enjoying tonight a lot, Miya?” asked Damian who took a seat right next to Miya. The lounge chairs prepared for them were a little far from the campfire. But the presence of the fire made the air quite warm around them. Leaning comfortably with arms stretched out on the back of the sofa, which could have in an instant trapped Miya in its embrace.

It was also what made Marcus choose to step aside and get a small snickering response from Victor. Marcus scowled in displeasure at Victor's attitude towards him. Then the two-colored haired man looked full of annoyance at Victor.

It was different with Miya. The blonde-haired girl looked down, not daring to look at Damian. But she couldn't help but answer his question. “Um, I guess so,” Miya said a little awkwardly. She really wished that Damian would move just a little from his seat. But unfortunately, she didn't have the courage to say what was on her mind.

“It's getting late.” Damian glanced once more at the clock that had already struck 12pm. “Go back to your room. Tomorrow we continue the hunt.”

Miya didn't seem to like Damian's words but then again, Damian had 'something' that couldn't be denied at all. She had to obey his words. “Alright.” Miya immediately prepared to leave them. “Good night everyone.”

“You're overreacting, Damian. It's not late and anyway, Miya still wants to hear Victor's story about his college,” Marcus said with an exasperated look. “You're breaking the vibes, Damian.”

Damian just glanced away without caring about the protest Marcus had just said. His soot-black eyes continued to watch as Miya was greeted by Desi. The assistant immediately draped a long coat to protect Miya from the cold air. Desi would definitely serve Miya well and that made Damian feel relieved.

Once he felt that no one would hear their conversation, Damian straightened his back. His look was no longer relaxed either. “How did you know there was a visit earlier?”

Marcus smirked as well as glancing briefly at Victor. “I just thought of the smallest possibility of a woman's jealousy and envy. And the little information Victor gave me was that two days ago Leonard's car was unexpectedly spotted in the area around the Sawyer family's main mansion."

“Besides, this is one of the many ways Leonard is trying to break your concentration, Damian. I told you, I should have come to the harbor.”

“And you want me to leave the highest control here?” Damian folded his arms as he chuckled. “There's no way I would do that.”

“I know,” Victor says with a chuckle. "Don't worry, I've placed my people around this area. I've asked the best people to follow you and tomorrow, I have something to show you how technology is the best.” As he said that, the twinkle in Victor's eyes seemed to light up as if he had discovered a new pleasure.

“Even though I asked you to go home.” Damian took out one of his cigars. Damian took a deep breath of air, letting the premium tobacco fragrance of the cigar in his hand fill the room. At times like this, he felt a different kind of calm.

With careful movements, he picked up the lighter and lit the cigar with a technique he had mastered-the flame was gently swirled around the tip of the cigar, ensuring the heat was evenly distributed without over-burning. The first wisps of tobacco smoke billow out slowly, flowing silky smooth through the air, carrying the aroma of wood and a hint of spice inherent to the cigar. Damian took a deep breath, soaking in the richness of the flavors on his tongue, savoring the smoothness.

Beside him, a cognac glass was set up. He grasped the snifter gracefully, swirling the contents slightly. The amber-brown cognac liquid gave off a soft and warm aroma, as if inviting collaboration with the cigar in his hand. Damian took a small sip, savoring the sweet and creamy taste of the liquid that infiltrated with the warmth that slowly filled his throat.

He alternated between savoring the puffs of cigar smoke and small sips of his Cognac.

“How cruel of you to do that to us,” Marcus said with a chuckle. “That's a very rude thank you from you, boss.”

Damian grinned. “You wish you could spend the night here too?”

“We're spending time together, aren't we?” This time it was Victor who spoke up. “I want to enjoy this night until I can't get up. It's been a long time since I drank more than I can handle.”

“I'll accompany you.” Marcus excitedly picked up one of the clear bottles and unscrewed the cap with ease. He began to fill two glasses with ice cubes from the liquid in the bottle. “Cheers!”

Victor laughed. “Cheers.”

Damian could only shake his head in wonder at the behavior of his two confidants. But what Victor said was true. It's been a long time since they've had an evening that felt more relaxed than just a few glasses of alcohol. Perhaps tonight's atmosphere was so favorable that it would be a shame to miss it.

“Do what you want to do,” Damian says finally.

“Ah, before I totally lose my mind, I'd better say this now.” Victor straightened his back. The glass that Marcus had filled with vodka was only half full. "I found signs of Michael Ashton in Macau. Maybe tomorrow I'll get more information on why the old man was there.”

Damian puffed once more on his cigar smoke. He let the smoke drift freely around him. “Don't let him return before my goal is achieved, Victor. Make sure he's entangled there. In a place he loves; risking the things he finds pleasurable.”