The Billionaire's Retribution

Chapter 9: Revenge Plan

"Revenge?" Davina inquired with a determined glint in his eyes.

"Yes, revenge," Damian affirmed. "You witnessed firsthand the upheaval my marriage caused. I believe you'll comprehend why I seek retribution on both Camille and Marcel."

Davina nonchalantly chewed her food, her thoughts focused on the flavors dancing on her palate, rendering her unable to engage in Damian's conversation fully.

"I understand your motive regarding Camille, but as far as I know, you and Marcel have no connection," she pondered aloud.

Accepting Davina's lack of interest, Damian allowed her to savor her bento dinner in solitude. Observing her enthusiastic consumption, he couldn't bring himself to touch his meal.

"Eat slowly, and I’ll never steal your dinner. If you eat in a rush, you might suffer from a stomachache," Damian advised, extending a tissue as he noticed a hint of food residue staining Davina's lips.

Davina gently wiped her mouth with the tissue, her tone laced with appreciation. "It's been quite some time since I've had such a light and exquisite dinner. This is undeniably the finest meal I've enjoyed in months. You possess an innate talent for selecting remarkable eateries."

A pleased smile adorned Damian's face upon receiving her praise. However, his smile quickly vanished as his gaze settled upon the tender edge of Davina's injured lip. He wondered about the source of her injury, contemplating if the spices in the food irritated it. Yet, Davina exhibited no discomfort while eating, almost as if she had grown accustomed to such injuries. Although plagued by curiosity, Damian hesitated to inquire further.

"Is that penthouse apartment yours?" Damian motioned toward a sleek penthouse in the distance.

"Indeed, it belongs to me. I didn't rent it," Davina confirmed.

"Did Marcel purchase it for you?" Damian inquired suspiciously as the intricate relationship between Marcel, Camille, and Davina intrigued him. He felt compelled to uncover how Marcel had utilized the company funds he unlawfully acquired.

Davina sneered in disgust, her voice dripping with disdain as she muttered, "That's highly unlikely."

Noticing Damian's doubt, Davina turned her gaze towards him, her eyes piercing into his soul. "It was a generous gift from a prosperous client in recognition of winning a child custody case."

"How magnanimous," Damian commented, feigning indifference.

"I have encountered numerous affluent clients who bestowed gracious bonuses upon me when I triumphed in their legal matters. At times, they have gifted me luxurious bags, accessories, and so forth," Davina divulged.

"Did Camille compensate you well the last time?" Damian probed further.

"Camille didn't pay me," Davina divulged, causing Damian's eyes to widen in astonishment.

"You're lying," he retorted in disbelief.

"No cap," Davina replied, dismissing any doubts.

Damian tidied up the empty dining room and went the extra mile to pour Davina a drink. They sat in a relaxed setting, engaged in a serious conversation.

Confusion swirled across Damian's face as he furrowed his brows. "You have no reason to do this. You also already helped me immensely. So why go through all this trouble? There must be a motive behind it."

Davina attempted to display indifference, pointing to the two uneaten puddings. "We don't have much time left to talk."

Aware of the ticking clock, Damian handed Davina a sheet of personal data. Little did he anticipate that Davina, his ex-wife's closest friend, would be the first person to whom he'd confide his true identity.

"A CV? Are you applying for a job with me?" Davina casually asked, savoring her dessert.

"Let me introduce myself. My name is Damian Wilson. I am the rightful heir to the WW Technology. Soon, I will assume the position of CEO and make my public debut on the company's anniversary." Damian divulged his identity.

A morsel of pudding nearly choked Davina as she attempted to process Damian's background. Once a clear understanding settled in, she suppressed her laughter, realizing that Camille had forsaken a WW Technology CEO for a finance director at a secondary company within the group. She had traded a diamond for a pebble.

"Given how easily you disclosed your identity, I assumed you already knew about my background. What has Marcel done to your company that you also seek revenge?"

"I have amassed evidence of Marcel's embezzlement since he took on the role of finance director. And in case you were unaware, I was the one who covertly helped Camille secure the finance manager position." Damian confessed his involvement.

"If I were in your shoes, I would be incensed by the betrayal of individuals like Camille and Marcel. No wonder you inquired about my penthouse apartment. It seems you suspected Marcel used corrupt funds to purchase it." Davina finally comprehended Damian's predicament.

"I require more proof of his corruption."

Davina was adamant about not getting entangled in the web of Damian's vengeful plot. There were more significant lives she needed to safeguard, making her participation in such a revenge scheme impractical.

"I have devoured all the appetizers, the main course, and the dessert you brought tonight. Thank you for the meal, but our time for conversation has ended. Please do not come here again, for I am not always in my studio apartment. Keep this place a secret. You can go, Mr. Wilson."

Davina showed indifference towards Damian's plan. Sensing he wouldn't get another chance to persuade her, Damian hurriedly grabbed Davina's hand, restraining her.

"I didn't come here to apply for a job. I came to propose to you. Marry me, Davina." Damian clasped both of Davina's hands.

Speechless for a few moments, Davina found herself momentarily swayed by Damian's proposal. But as the realization dawned upon her that this was all a part of Damian's revenge plan, she swiftly released herself from his grasp.

"Don't play games with me. I don't have the time for your games. Find someone else to assist you in seeking revenge. I am not the right person for this."

"This would be a marriage of revenge. Aren't you angry about what your best friend and fiancé have done to you?" Damian couldn't fathom how Davina could stand by and accept the evil deeds inflicted upon her by Camille and Marcel.

"For me, marriage is a sacred bond. I would rather be alone for eternity than partake in a ridiculous wedding. I want no part in your absurd revenge plan."

Marcel's threats today had left Davina utterly terrified. She knew that acting impulsively was not an option. Should she betray Marcel and seek revenge against Damian? Davina couldn't help but feel apprehensive about such a plan.

"You were engaged to Marcel, who shamelessly cheated on you with your own best friend, right in front of your eyes and even in your own home. Are you truly willing to enter a relationship with a man like Marcel? Doesn't that already seem absurd?" Damian couldn't help but draw parallels between Davina's situation and his own. He pondered, realizing that his revenge would not be complete without Davina by his side.

"Is that why you asked me to join your plan? Because I am the closest person to them?" Davina questioned, seeking clarity.

"You're right. There is no one better to team up with than you. Let's have a revenge wedding," Damian proposed. The idea of two men proposing to her in a single day was something Davina had never expected. However, none of the proposals appealed to her. She would rather be alone for eternity than participate in a ridiculous wedding.

"Listen, I refuse to enter a contractual marriage or any such arrangement. I am a responsible person, and I won't engage in anything foolish like that," Davina said, firmly objecting.

"Let's make a contract then. I will agree to any terms you desire. Consider me your partner, and you can mention any amount," Damian pleaded, attempting to convince her.

"Do you think I care about your background as the heir apparent to a billion-dollar company? Since meeting you, I have never concerned myself with your financial status. Just because I helped you once, you now want to take complete advantage of me?" Davina expressed her frustration, feeling her anger rise.

Davina distanced herself from Damian, attempting to walk away. However, Damian, unable to grasp her hand, clutched onto her fleece blanket, causing it to slip off her body. At that moment, Damian noticed the bruises and wounds covering Davina's hands and feet.

Drawing closer to Davina, Damian gently moved the hair, concealing part of her face. Unable to hide it any longer, Davina's injuries from the violence were now revealed to Damian.

"Who did this to you?" Damian inquired, suppressing his anger.

"I suggest you leave. I am done talking to you," Davina attempted to avoid his questions.

"It's evident that this is a case of abuse. You're a lawyer, so there is no way you don't recognize the potential as evidence to prosecute someone," Damian inspected Davina's head, hands, and feet for injuries.

Davina tried to distance herself from Damian, pleading, "I do not need your concern. Damian, go home. Everything is hunky-dory."

"Was it Marcel who did this?" Damian guessed.

Davina's silence confirmed Damian's suspicions. She swiftly placed Damian's mask and hat on him, pushing him out of her tiny studio apartment. Davina shooed him away, showing him the door.

"Thank you for dinner. I do not wish to involve myself in your plans, but let me impart one piece of advice. If you truly desire revenge, change your appearance. Alter your hairstyle wardrobe, and ditch the glasses, if possible. You have plenty of financial resources, and you can hire a stylist or something. Consider this my final favor," Davina emphasized.

Damian reached out, using his hand to prevent Davina from shutting the door completely. In the process, he tossed an invitation into her apartment.

"At the very least, grace us with your presence at my company's anniversary celebration. It is a white dress affair. I want to witness Camille and Marcel's shock when they discover my true identity," Damian urged.

"Just go, please!" Davina pushed Damian's hand away from the door, slamming it shut with a resounding bang, highlighting her anger.

"I hope you can enjoy the show I have in store. See you!" Damian announced before finally leaving. With Damian's departure, Davina picked up the white invitation that had fallen to the floor.

"The handover of the CEO position will be the first step in Damian's revenge. Damian, who previously did not want to be known by the public, now seeks to be the center of attention. Has the innocent Damian changed?"