Chapter 7 - The Unwelcome Guest
Just as Maya was settling into her new life, a new storm gathered on the horizon. The media coverage of Damon’s sudden "adoption" had caught the attention of someone greedy.
One afternoon, Damon returned home to find a man sitting in his office under the supervision of his security team. The man was thin, disheveled, with shifty eyes and a cheap suit. His name was Richard Linwood—Maya's biological uncle, her mother's estranged brother.
"Mr. Aosta," Richard said with a slimy smile as Damon entered the room, his presence immediately darkening the atmosphere. "It's a pleasure. I saw my niece on the television. I had no idea she survived that terrible fire. God works in mysterious ways."
Damon didn't offer his hand. He sat down behind his desk, his face a mask of absolute stone. "What do you want, Mr. Linwood?"
"Well, she’s my flesh and blood," Richard said, leaning forward. "The state says family has first priority for custody. I know her mother didn't have much, but family is family. I came to take my niece home."
Damon knew exactly what this was. A quick background check on Richard, which his security team had already printed out, showed a history of gambling debts, petty theft, and unemployment. He didn't care about Maya; he cared about the billionaire who was currently keeping her.
"You haven't seen your sister or your niece in five years," Damon said coldly, tossing the file onto the desk. "You didn't show up to your sister's funeral, and you didn't look for Maya when the building burned down. You are a parasite looking for a payday."
Richard’s smile vanished, replaced by a ugly sneer. "You think you can just buy whatever you want because you're a billionaire? That's a child, not a company. The courts don't like rich guys stealing kids from their rightful families. I have rights. If you want me to sign away my custody rights and let her stay in this fancy place... well, it's going to cost you. Let's say... five million dollars."
Damon felt a dangerous pulse throbbing in his jaw. For a fraction of a second, he wanted to vault over the desk and tear the man apart. But he controlled himself. If he acted violently, Richard would use it against him in court.
"Get out," Damon said, his voice terrifyingly quiet.
"Excuse me?" Richard blinked.
"You heard me," Damon said. "I do not negotiate with terrorists, and I certainly do not buy children. You will not get a single penny from me. If you want to take this to court, do it. But know this: I will dig into every dark corner of your life. I will bring every debt, every crime, and every lie you have ever committed into the light. By the time I am done with you, you won't be rich—you will be in a federal prison. Now, get out of my sight before I have my security throw you off the balcony."
May you like
Richard stood up quickly, his face turning red with anger and fear. "You'll regret this, Aosta! I'll go to the press! I'll tell them you're a monster keeping a kid hostage!" He stormed out of the office.
Damon sat alone in the quiet room, his hands trembling slightly with rage. He knew Richard was a coward, but a desperate coward could still cause immense damage to a fragile little girl. He needed to ensure his legal victory was absolute.
