Chapter 206: Make or Break
A brief silence followed.
No one spoke.
Not because there was nothing to say-but because no one had expected that from Monroe of all
people.
No one laughed either-mostly because they were still processing it.
The head of security. Built like a wall. Usually unreadable.
And yet, he’d just turned into a full-blown fanboy.
Monroe straightened immediately, clearly embarrassed at getting carried away.
“Sorry, boss.”
Damien gave a faint nod, accepting it without comment, then moved on.
He shifted his attention to James-
But James didn’t move.
He was still staring ahead, tablet in hand, clearly somewhere else entirely.
After years of working with Monroe, even he looked like he was still trying to process what he’d just witnessed.
Ashcroft clicked his tongue and snapped his fingers right in front of his face.
“Hey-Horton,” he said. “You having a heart attack or something?”
James blinked.
Once. Twice.
Then he shook himself out of it, straightening quickly.
“Right. Sorry. I-yes. Okay.”
He exhaled once, regaining composure, then lifted the tablet and tapped the screen a few times.
“A memo was sent out earlier this morning,” he began. “All departments were informed that the boss will be conducting his quarterly walkthrough today.”
He paused briefly, then turned his attention toward Hudson-still wearing Damien’s face.
“You don’t need to worry about being questioned,” James added. “Company protocol is very strict
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Chapter 206 Make or Break
during walkthroughs. Only the boss initiates interaction.”
A tap on the screen.
+25 Points
“Employees aren’t allowed to ask direct questions on the spot. Any concerns or reports have to be submitted through the internal system after the inspection.”
A small beat.
“So for the most part, this will be observational.”
He lowered the tablet slightly.
“We’ll move through selected departments as part of a routine inspection.”
Ashcroft frowned immediately.
“Wait a second,” he cut in. “Walk through the company?”
He turned toward Damien, incredulous.
“D-do you have any idea how massive your company is? Departments, divisions, whatever the hell
you call those corporate maze floors-”
He gestured vaguely.
“We’ll hit nightfall before we even make it to the second wing.”
James didn’t react, already tapping through something on his tablet.
“Not quite, Mr. Ashcroft.”
He turned the screen and placed it in front of Damien.
“Quarterly walkthroughs are conducted selectively. We don’t cover the entire company in one go.”
A brief pause.
“Departments are chosen based on performance metrics-either those exceeding expectations or
those flagged for review.”
He angled the tablet slightly for everyone to see.
“We’ve already prepared the list for this quarter.”
He paused, swiped the screen once, then continued-
“R&D, PMO, Operations, IT… and Security.”
James lifted his gaze slightly from the tablet.
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Chapter 206 Make or Break
“This is a make-or-break situation.”
He tapped the screen once, organizing his thoughts.
+25 Points
“These departments either have frequent direct interaction with the boss, or only limited familiarity without regular contact. The purpose of this walkthrough is to test both sides-recognition, response, and behavioral consistency under perceived authority.”
A brief pause.
“Security in particular is critical. Given their training and exposure, they are the least likely to be
deceived. Their reactions will heavily influence the overall assessment of this test.”
He lowered the tablet slightly.
“In short… their responses will determine whether the masks hold or fail.”
Damien gave a single nod.
“Let’s move.”
No one questioned it. The response was immediate-subtle nods, straightened posture, and silent
compliance.
Monroe moved first, naturally taking the lead as head of security, already positioning himself by the door before pushing it open.
The rest followed without hesitation-except for Ashcroft. He lingered a second longer behind.
He pulled out his phone and glanced at the screen-still nothing
His jaw tightened, irritation flickering across his face.
“That brat,” he muttered under his breath, slipping the device back into his pocket before rolling his shoulders and following after the others.
By the time they reached the elevator, everyone had already fallen into formation-positions instinctive, almost second nature.
Hudson stood at the front, wearing Damien Blackwood’s face, with James beside him, tablet in hand.
Behind them, Monroe and Cruz took their places.
And at the very back-
The real Damien and Ashcroft, hidden in plain sight under borrowed identities.
The elevator ride passed in silence. No one spoke; no one needed to.
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hapter 206 Make or Break
Everyone knew their role.
As the elevator descended, the panel above the doors ticked down one floor at a time-the number five lighting briefly before fading, then shifting to four with a soft blink.
Then James spoke, his voice low and precise, cutting cleanly through it.
“First stop-R&D.”
A soft chime sounded as the elevator came to a stop, and the doors slid open.
Hudson stepped out first, carrying Damien Blackwood’s presence with effortless control.
And just like that, the next phase of the test began.
+25 Points
On the opposite side of the city, far from the controlled precision of Blackwood Enterprises, the
world moved at a slower, quieter breath.
Dahlia stood by the tall windows of Harrington Manor, gaze fixed on the stretch of greenery
beneath a pale blue sky.
Behind her, Kim approached quietly, her steps measured-careful, like even sound might disturb
the weight in the room.
“Madam, everything is ready.”
Dahlia gave a small nod.
Kim hesitated.
Her hands curled slightly at her sides before relaxing again, as if steadying herself. A faint crease
formed between her brows-concern she didn’t bother hiding fast enough.
“Madam…” she said more softly this time. “Are you sure about this?”
The question lingered in the air, heavier than the silence that followed it.
Dahlia didn’t answer immediately.
She inhaled slowly, then exhaled-measured, steady.
A faint tension tightened at the corners of her eyes before she let it go.
“No,” she admitted quietly.
Kim’s expression shifted instantly-subtle, but unmistakable. Her shoulders tensed slightly, and her lips parted as if she wanted to respond, then thought better of it.
Dahlia didn’t look back.
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hapter 206 Make or Break
Her gaze remained fixed ahead, but her voice softened just a fraction.
“But I know one thing for certain… nothing stays hidden forever.”
A pause.
“I’d rather control how it comes to light than be caught unprepared when it does.”
Kim lowered her gaze.
Concern flickered across her face-but she didn’t argue. She understood enough not to.
Then-
A phone rang.
Kim answered it quickly, listened, then gave a small nod.
Her expression shifted slightly as she looked up.
“Madam… she’s ready.”
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Cedella
Cedella is a passionate storyteller known for her bold romantic and spicy novels that keep readers hooked from the very first chapter. With a flair for crafting emotionally intense plots and unforgettable characters, she blends love, desire, and drama into every story she writes. Cedella’s storytelling style is immersive and addictive—perfect for fans of heated romances and heart-pounding twists.