Chapter 355 The Showdown with Damian
Top floor, suite.
Damian had a cup of tea by his side, with a stack of documents next to it. Across from him, Dorian had only a cup of tea in front of him.
The spacious living room with floor-to-ceiling windows had only two people, yet it felt as if it was filled to the brim with something.
Without any emotional prelude, Damian got straight to the point, "Why did you take that money?"
Dorian had anticipated this question on his way here. He had carefully considered his answer and responded without a hint of hesitation, "It was convenient to use the privilege of being Mr. Hearst's relative."
In short, he was tempted by money and reached out for it without any other reason.
Damian's face remained cold as he lifted the corners of his mouth, but there was no intention of smiling, "Where is the money?"
Dorian replied, "With Mr. Hearst's capabilities, you must have thoroughly checked my accounts—not just mine but my entire family's accounts as well. Yet you found nothing. Isn't that strange?"
Damian leaned back in his chair.
This was the first time he seriously confronted Dorian. This person was not far from what he had imagined—steady and courageous. If he could be used, he would be a valuable asset. Unfortunately, Dorian only wanted to stand against him.
That faint coldness finally turned into a slight smile, but it didn't reach his eyes, like melting winter snow, "If you don't tell the truth here, there are places that will make you speak the truth."
It was a softly spoken yet weighty threat.
He could ensure his safety, but he also had ways to make him wish for death. Over the past three years, many had been eyeing the Astor Group, and those wanting to control them had never let up.
Damian gave Damian both an opportunity and a shackle.
Dorian didn't show any fear. The scenario he had rehearsed in his mind many times was now happening, and he wasn't panicking. Three years of evasion had forged a strong mind, both introspective and forced.
"My life is in Mr. Hearst's hands. You can do whatever you want, but no matter where I am, my answer is the same: I took the money. It has nothing to do with my father or my sister."
Damian said, "Do you think taking all the responsibility will protect them?"
Dorian's throat tightened, and he forced himself to speak, "If my life can appease Mr. Hearst, you can take it today."
Damian looked at him coldly.
Dorian would rather die than tell the truth, indicating that the forces behind him were formidable enough to make even KM wary.
Damian even had an uncharacteristic thought: could the pressure Dorian was bearing alone also include protecting KM?
No, impossible. What could he possibly do to stand in his way?
"Mr. Astor," Damian's long fingers brushed the cup, his gaze piercing, "You should know that the only reason you're sitting here defending yourself is because of Ashley."
Dorian's long, steady heart suddenly skipped a beat. "What are you planning? If you dare touch a hair on Ashley, I..."
Damian's gaze stopped him mid-sentence, "Do you have the right to threaten me?"
Dorian bit his teeth, his eyes quickly filling with bloodshot veins, "Don't touch her!"
Damian sneered, "You all seem quite confident, leaving her alone in Rochester City. Since you dared to do that, you should know whose territory this is."
Dorian was now in a passive position and couldn't afford to lose his temper. It took a lot of effort to suppress his anger, "The money is not with me, but Mr. Hearst, don't investigate where it went."
This was the most truth he could reveal.
Damian asked, "What leverage do they have on you?"
Only with leverage could someone be forced to pay such a large sum as hush money.
Dorian didn't take the bait, "Mr. Hearst, if you're not satisfied, you can consider us all dead overseas."
"Death doesn't solve the problem."
Dorian remained silent.
Damian asked, "How was the money transferred out?"
Dorian remained silent.
Damian asked, "In Rochester City?"
Dorian bit his teeth, not letting any signal slip.
Damian tapped his long fingers on the documents twice, "I see."
If not in Rochester City, then it must be at a higher level.
It was no wonder Dorian didn't dare to speak.
Damian picked up his tea, took a sip, and then said slowly, "I heard your mother isn't well."
Dorian didn't believe he was concerned about anyone; it was just a psychological tactic, "My mother was traumatized in Rochester City and is not in good mental health."
"Has she recovered?"
It sounded like small talk.
But the undercurrents were strong.
Dorian said, "A bit better."
"A stable life is more conducive to recovery. Wandering overseas, she probably can't find peace."
Before answering, Dorian would chew over Damian's words several times, afraid of falling into a trap, "My return to the country was all meticulously arranged by Mr. Hearst. I am grateful but dare not hope for more."
"You opened a restaurant abroad?"
"Yes, the whole family needs a livelihood, so we needed a physical business."
"Doing business overseas isn't easy, is it?"
"Not easy, but we managed to survive."
"With a family to support, including the elderly, sick, and women, you're the only pillar. Carrying such a heavy burden, do you often feel you can't speak of your hardships?"
Damian's words pierced Dorian's heart like steel nails, breaking through his defenses, "I'm a man; it's my duty."
"That's right, you're a man with responsibilities. You must support your family, to fight for them. How are they any different from you?"
Dorian met his gaze, but only for a moment. He couldn't withstand those deep, hawk-like eyes. "What are you trying to say?"
Damian said, "You have only one family behind you, but the Astor Group has millions of families behind it. The funds you took could destroy thousands of families. To protect yourself, you're willing to let tens of thousands suffer. Mr. Astor..."
Damian's face hardened, "Where do you get the audacity to act like you're ready to die for a cause?"
Dorian later heard that KM's subsidiary had almost been split and auctioned off due to cash flow issues. Only the headquarters' intervention prevented the tragedy.
This was KM's strength. If it were anyone else, it would have been a disaster of mass unemployment.
"I'm sorry."
"You don't need to apologize to me. Unfortunately, thepeople you owe an apology to are scattered across the country. If you're sincere, go say it to them."
Dorian was speechless.
He had witnessed Damian's prowess. Even with preparation, he was no match.
If he couldn't handle Damian, how could Ashley?
Completely subdued, Damian delivered the final blow, "The only leverage you have is my compassion for the Astor Group. If you continue to oppose me, I can withdraw even that compassion."
Dorian's eyes were veiled with thick bloodshot veins, his knuckles tightening one by one, "What does your so-called compassion come from?"
"Mr. Astor is a smart man. Do I need to spell it out?"
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