Chapter 838

Hamilton snapped with growing impatience, "Spit it out and get out of here!"

A quiet laugh slipped from Damon as he gave a nod, then turned his attention to the document, scanning it closely more than once. "Acrophobia."

Hamilton's brows drew together. "Are you certain? Take another look."

Setting the paper down, Damon said confidently, "It's acrophobia. But there are variations-some fear all heights, some only a certain level, and others link it to a bad memory from when they were kids. It's not easy to be exact. Still, I can tell you for sure-Daniela's weakness is fear of heights."

Spending enough time in casinos had taught Damon how to lie like it was second nature.

He had developed a sharp instinct for feeding people the exact answers they were hoping to hear.

His lies were so believable that even Hamilton couldn't tell if they were real.

"You're sure it's acrophobia?"Hamilton asked.

Damon gave him a hard stare. "Father, if you don't believe me, why did you bother dragging me here? Right now, your doubt feels like a slap in the face. Ask around. Go ahead. Find out who taught me. Most people may not understand this stuff, but for me, it's nothing."

Damon didn't stop there. "Let me give you an example. Kohen? He used to be obsessed with his wife. Now?It's all about money. Or take your secretary-he's terrified of the dark. The head chef? He freezes up at the sight of insects. And you, Father,your weakness is-"

"I've heard enough!" Hamilton interjected, completely fed up. "Leave!"

"Understood!" Damon flashed a cheeky grin as he stood up.

Just as he turned to go, Hamilton called out, "Hold on. Take Kohen with you." For a brief second, Damon's face tightened, his true feelings carefully masked from everyone around him.

By the time he turned back, that familiar relaxed smile had returned like nothing ever happened.

"Kohen? Why would I bring him?"

"Both you and Nikolas live at Daniela's place. So why can't I stay there as well?" said Kohen, tossing an arm around Damon's shoulder. "I want a taste of Cedric's cooking too."

A grin formed on Kohen's face, but it didn't reach his eyes.

While they headed toward Daniela's place, Kohen kept his voice light, acting as if the question was nothing serious. "So... is it actually true that Daniela's scared of heights?"

Damon's brows knit together. "You don't believe me?"

With a laugh, Kohen patted his shoulder. "What are you talking about? Of course I believe you. It's just...Daniela is cunning and sinister. I'm worried she might've fooled you."

A chill slipped into Damon's voice as he asked, "Do you even know anything about Daniela?"

Caught off guard, Kohen stiffened slightly, then gave a practiced smile. "Why are you asking me that all of a sudden?"

Damon didn't let up. "How can you speak so harshly about someone you've never taken the time to understand? Even Father, who stands against her, never used that kind of language. She's a young woman,Kohen. Talking like that isn't just rude, it reflects poorly on you. What's the point?"

Once more, Kohen looked surprised, but he quickly covered it up with a weak laugh. "Well, I didn't know you'd gotten so good with words. Looks like you've been defending Daniela quite a bit lately."

"I've got a lot of respect for her," Damon replied simply. "She's never picked a fight with anyone. She's never hurt anyone. People just keep coming after her. That explosion-someone set that up. Someone caused her to lose her baby. If shedidn't fight for justice, then what kind of mother would that make her?She's chasing every lead, crossing all the way to Oiscoll just to uncover the truth for both her child and her mother. That kind of determination deserves respect!" Damon, who was usually the most relaxed person in any room, now spoke with a passion that stunned those around him.

Even the driver up front stole a glance at him through the rearview mirror, clearly surprised.

Kohen, however, let out a quiet chuckle. "That was a fine speech, Damon. But have you ever stopped to wonder if someone in our family might've been behind the explosion?"

Damon opened his mouth, ready to argue that their father would never go that far, but Kohen didn't give him the chance. "If it really wasn't one of us, then why was Cedric not there when it happened? He's Daniela's legal husband. He stands to inherit everything she owns. If someone wanted to destroy everything she built,don't you think killing Cedric would've been part of the plan? Why did they pick the exact window when Cedric was away? It's because someone already knew that Cedric is a McCoy. Someone made sure not to harm him on purpose. With facts like that, can you really claim our family had no hand in this?"

Those words hit Damon like a slap. He couldn't speak. He couldn't even move.

Kohen gave a cold laugh and casually dusted off his sleeve. "You're still a McCoy, Damon. No matter what that bloodline stays with you. Daniela won't go easy on you if the truth ever comes out. So whether you realize it or not, you've already chosen a side. You're already Daniela's enemy."

A weight dropped in.Damon's chest.

Scenes from his time at Daniela's place came rushing back without warning.

He remembered the way Daniela and Cedric had treated him-with nothing but kindness.

And the moment he imagined himself standing against them,his stomach turned.

Even the thought of food made him feel sick.