Chapter 23: Her Savior

Davis wished he could jump on Silas right now choke and strangle the life out of him. He’d yell at the top of his voice; ‘Why didn't you tell me that earlier and made me WORRIED?!’

However, being so concerned about Juliana and Donovan’s situation would only propel questions and suspicions from Silas. Questions he would most definitely have no idea on how to answer. ‘Why are you so interested in that topic, Mr. Montgomery?’ ‘Oh, I.…’ See? He had no answers to that.

Silas, oblivious to Davis’s inner thoughts went on. “Mr. Montgomery, I fear Donovan Thornfield might mistake this as you trying to steal Juliana from him if he decodes our server address," Warned.

Davis leaned against his desk and regarded Silas with a quizzical expression. "Why would he think that? Even if he found out it was me, it doesn't correlate with paying the debt.” he questioned, indifferent more perplexed than concerned.

Silas, knowing Davis's unswerving demeanor, proceeded carefully. "Sir, Juliana ended things with Donovan immediately after she found out about the debt being paid off. Anyone as irresponsible as Donovan Thornfield would take that as a challenge from you.” He revealed, watching for Davis's reaction.

A hint of pleasure flashed across Davis's face before it transformed into a sly grin. "Is that so?"

The news seemed to have piqued Davis's interest rather than inducing fear or worry. He straightened up, adjusting his suit jacket with an air of confidence. "Well then, let him think what he wants. It changes nothing," He stated dismissively, his tone as nonchalant as ever.

For Davis, the notion of Donovan misconstruing his actions held little weight. He wasn't one to shy away from confrontations or misunderstandings, especially if they stemmed from Donovan Thornfield’s insecurity or assumptions. In fact, the possibility of such misinterpretations amused him more than anything else.

He tapped his desk playfully. “Let's focus on better things, Silas.” He arched a brow and met the gaze of his manager who looked uncertain. “If Donovan wants to create drama out of nothing, that's his choice," Davis concluded.

“If I may get this right, sir. You are implying that you’d allow a rivalry to surmount because of a woman?” Silas seemed bewildered.

Davis stood up and patted Silas on the shoulder. “Calm down, mate. I am Davis Montgomery. To me, Donovan Thornfield is like a pesky fly.” He caught nothing in the air and dramatically squeezed the palm tight. “And this is how I am going to crush him if he dared to provoke me.”

“I’ll still do a lot to make sure that our server isn't hacked. Prevention is better than violence.” Silas wasn't convinced.

Davis shook his head, giving up on trying to convince Silas. “Do what you want, Silas. I'll start to work now. What's on my schedule apart from the meeting?”

Silas checked through the daily planner on his tablet, scanning the schedule. "Aside from the meeting, you have a follow-up with the finance team regarding the recent acquisitions and a luncheon with potential investors at noon," Silas informed, glancing up from his tablet.

Argh; Davis groaned internally. He hated days like this when he had too much to do.

“Alright, alright, let's focus on the financial discussion first. One thing at a time," Davis stated, walking towards the large glass window that overlooked the city skyline.

It always felt so recharging to watch the entire city from up his office.

Silas nodded, jotting down a few notes on his tablet. "Understood, sir. I'll arrange the necessary documents and summaries for the meeting,"

With that, he left and Davis was left alone.

.

He spent the rest of his the morning working. He already set a timer for when Juliana’s meeting would be concluded. He had no idea but this woman whom he was wary of – he wanted to spend time with her.

As the hours passed, the cityscape outside his office window transitioned from the early morning hustle to the midday bustle. And then, the clock ticked away.

Davis shut down his system and closed the files he was signing. “Time to face that grumpy pretty girl.” He smirked to himself and hurriedly walked out of his office.

He wasn't about to make her aware of his intentions. And thus, he pretended to be walking down the conference corridor way when the door creaked open, and Juliana marched out. Her face definitely had improved from that of one which was always drawn tight. She really must feel so liberated since she got Donovan off her tail. But then, there was still something like pain – or hurt in her expression.

Did she like Donovan, perhaps?

Her eyes, locked with his, surprise flickering in their depths. Just as he was about to feign surprise to bump into her once again, Johnson and the rest of the board members also stepped out of the conference.

“Ah — Mr. Montgomery!” Johnson remarked with enthusiasm as he approached him. “You seemed to have missed the finale. But not to worry, it went just as you wanted.” He took Davis’s hand and shook it.

Luckily for Davis, the bastard shook Davis’s left palm. “The brat is going to receive the shock of his life. It's nice taking his money and playing him.”

He heard Johnson’s thoughts and Davis panicked. It couldn't be that...

Before he could think the rest of the board members came to shake Davis and he made sure to offer his left palm.

“Argh. I really wanted to fuck that Starkwood girl. If only Johnson had positively voted for her proposal, I would have gotten my chance.” Davis read the thoughts of the Chief Marketing officer as the pot-bellied man smiled at him during the handshake.

Davis had to force a smile on his face as the urge to kick the bloody man in the groin weighed on him. “Morning, Mr. Montgomery.” Said the man.

“Morning.” Davis nodded and internally, NEXT - he thought.

As the corporate secretary shook Davis, “That was a proposal with potential. It would have fetched us profit. Sad it wasn't accepted in the end.” His thoughts read.

Davis flinched but concealed. Johnson dared to do this after their secret compromise? After taking his MONEY?!

Worse, he did just said things went as Davis wanted in front of Juliana. That would give her a negative opinion about him. He promised her she would get the deal. He’d been so sure that he didn't even attend the meeting because he was certain of her victory.

Now, what would she think of him? She’d probably think he avoided the meeting because of this.

“Every time I see this lucky bastard’s face, I get nauseous.” The chief financial officer thought after almost embracing Davis with such joviality.

Davis gulped at how toxic humans could get. Sometimes, he wondered if the ability this ring had bestowed on him was a gift or a burden considering how many times he had been disappointed in people after reading their thoughts.

But then again, he couldn't have gotten this far without it. His practiced fake smile quivered a corner of his mouth up. “Hello.” He matched every one of their cynical smiles.

After shaking hands with every one of them, Davis discovered that the corporate secretary was the only one with a good heart for his job.

It felt good to see that one person was different from the others. Most times, he always found out that everyone was always rotten when he was done reading their minds. This was at least, better. Maybe his hope in humanity would be saved. He was forced to glance up at Juliana since they were all alone in the corridor now.

“Hey.” He breathed, unsure of what to say to her. She must think of him as the devil.

She was wrong. He was actually her Savior, was he not, now?