Chapter 234: One in Starlight
Almost half an hour later they arrived at the mall.
The vehicle came to a stop outside one of the world’s most recognizable technology retailers.
Its iconic logo glowed above the entrance.
Floor–to–ceiling glass panels revealed a bright minimalist interior filled with display tables, smartphones,
tablets, laptops, and accessories arranged with almost obsessive precision.
Several employees were already waiting near the entrance.
And judging by the strained smile on the store manager’s face, James’s last–minute message had been
received.
The moment the vehicle came to a stop, the store manager straightened instinctively.
Her smile remained firmly in place.
Years of retail experience had taught her how to appear calm under pressure.
Unfortunately, Damien Blackwood tested the limits of that skill.
Earlier that afternoon, she had received notice that a special order placed by Mr. Blackwood would be
collected that evening.
Naturally, the store had prioritized the request.
The items had been prepared, inspected, and verified long before the scheduled pickup time.
Later, confirmation arrived that everything was ready.
Following standard procedure, she notified James that the order was prepared for collection and received
confirmation that someone would be arriving later that evening to pick it up.
That should have been the end of it.
Approximately half an hour ago, another message arrived informing her that they were on their way.
Nothing unusual there.
Then, before she had even put her phone away, a second message appeared on her screen.
Mr. Blackwood would be collecting the order personally.
That had been twenty–seven minutes ago.
The update had nearly given her a heart attack.
Since then, the order had been checked no fewer than four times.
Display tables had been wiped down twice.
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Chapter 234 One in Starlight
Every device involved in the pickup had been inspected, verified, and inspected again.
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Meanwhile, several team members who had been counting down the minutes until the end of their shift
had suddenly discovered a renewed enthusiasm for their jobs.
Uniforms had been straightened.
Hair had been fixed.
A few of the younger employees had even disappeared into the restroom and returned looking noticeably more polished than before.
No one wanted to make a poor impression.
After all, it wasn’t every day that Damien Blackwood walked into your store.
The richest man in the city.
One of the wealthiest men in the world.
The man whose company owned the very mall they were standing in.
Even the manager had to admit she was curious.
Because despite all the stories, interviews, magazine covers, and endless online speculation, very few
people ever saw Damien Blackwood up close.
And almost no one had ever seen him walk into a store and shop for himself.
James exited the vehicle first and pulled open the rear passenger door.
As soon as Damien stepped out, the store manager moved forward.
“Good evening, Mr. Blackwood.”
She offered a respectful bow.
“Welcome. It’s a pleasure to have you with us this evening.”
Her smile was polished and professional.
“Your order is prepared and ready for collection. If there is anything else you require during your visit, my
team and I will be happy to assist.”
Damien acknowledged the greeting with a slight nod.
The manager maintained her smile.
“We have also prepared a private area for you should you prefer a more discreet experience, Mr. Blackwood.”
“That won’t be necessary.” Damien’s gaze remained fixed on the store entrance.
For the briefest moment, the manager froze.
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Chapter 234 One in Starlight
“Of course, Mr. Blackwood.”
Recovering quickly, she stepped aside.
Damien headed toward the entrance without another word.
The manager watched him go, momentarily caught off guard.
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Despite all the advance preparations, their VVIP guest appeared to have every intention of entering the
store like an ordinary customer.
Beside her, James released a quiet breath of relief.
So far, everything was proceeding smoothly.
Lowering his voice, he offered the manager a polite smile.
“My apologies for the short notice.”
“Not at all, Mr. Horton,” the manager replied immediately. “It’s an honor to welcome Mr. Blackwood to our
store.”
James nodded.
“Mr. Blackwood has decided he’d like to look around personally this evening.”
The manager’s professional smile never wavered.
“Of course.”
Together, they followed Damien into the store.
The nearest employee nearly jumped out of his skin the moment Damien crossed the threshold.
Another hurriedly began straightening a display that had already been straightened twice.
The manager pretended not to notice.
“Mr. Blackwood,” she began smoothly, “if you prefer, you’re welcome to wait in our private consultation
area while I have your order brought over for inspection.”
“No, thank you.”
Damien’s attention had already shifted toward a nearby display.
“I’d like to look around.”
“Of course, Sir.”
For the next several minutes, Damien moved through the store at an unhurried pace.
The manager remained nearby while a senior sales associate followed at a respectful distance, ready to
answer any questions.
“What about this one?”
< Chapter 234 One in Starlight
Damien stopped in front of a display showcasing a pair of wireless earbuds.
The associate glanced at the product.
“One of our most popular models, Sir. This particular version was released less than a year ago.”
“Would they stay in place while someone is walking around all day?”
The associate blinked.
“Yes, Sir. They’re specifically designed for everyday use and movement.”
“Good.”
Damien studied the display for another moment.
“I’ll take two.”
The associate quickly made a note.
As they continued through the store, Damien’s attention shifted to another display nearby.
This one featured a premium set of over–ear wireless headphones available in several colors.
“What about these?”
The associate immediately launched into an explanation.
By the time he finished, Damien had already made his decision.
“One in black.”
His gaze moved across the display before settling on a second color.
“And one in starlight.”
The associate paused briefly before nodding.
“Certainly, Sir.”
Another note was added to the rapidly growing order list.
A few feet behind them, James remained silent.
Internally, however, his concern deepened.
Wireless earbuds and over–ear headphones served largely the same purpose.
Under normal circumstances, Damien would have selected one or the other.
Not both.
And certainly not in different colors.
To Damien, electronics generally came in two acceptable options.
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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.