Chapter 279: A Carefully Choreographed Exit
The moment Damien delivered his final answer, the crowd erupted.
+25 Points
Reporters began shouting over one another as dozens of hands rose into the air, each person desperate to ask another question.
“Mr. Blackwood, do you have any suspects?”
“Has the FBI been contacted?”
“Will the Taiwan headquarters suspend operations?”
“Do you expect the company’s stock to fall further?”
Damien offered no response. As he turned away from the podium, Monroe, Hudson, and Cruz moved into position around him while James stepped forward and took his place behind the microphone.
“Thank you, everyone,” James said, raising his voice above the noise. “Mr. Blackwood has an international flight to catch and will not be taking any further questions. All additional inquiries should be directed to Blackwood Enterprises‘ Corporate Communications Department. An official update will be released as soon as more verified information becomes available.”
The reporters continued shouting, but James ignored them and quickly followed Damien inside the building.
Once they were inside, Dominic, Nicholas, and Ellie were already waiting.
“Ms. Woods,” James said as he approached, “remain here and coordinate with Security to clear the entrance. Once we’ve departed, report directly to Mr. Blackwood Sr. on the executive floor.”
“Understood, Mr. Horton,” Ellie replied before hurrying off to carry out his instructions.
Without wasting another moment, the group made their way to the private executive elevator. As the doors slid shut, Dominic turned his attention to his son.
“You handled that well.”
Damien glanced at him. “Viktor needed to believe the situation was serious.”
“After what you just showed the entire world, he will,” Dominic replied.
Nicholas remained unusually quiet, his attention fixed on his phone. Harper still had not responded to any of his messages, and although he knew there were more important matters requiring his attention, the irritation had yet to leave him.
The elevator descended directly to the underground parking, where three vehicles were waiting with their engines running.
Monroe walked toward the lead SUV with Hudson and Cruz. Their vehicle would lead the convoy, clearing the route and watching for anything suspicious ahead.
Damien approached the second vehicle as James opened the rear passenger door for him. Nicholas
Chapte
efully Choregraphed Exit
+25 Points
headed for the third vehicle, where Max was already waiting behind the wheel. Their vehicle would remain directly behind Damien’s throughout the journey.
Before Damien stepped inside, Dominic placed a hand on his shoulder.
“Be careful, and keep in touch.”
Damien gave a reassuring nod.
“I will.”
Dominic studied him for another moment before giving a small nod.
Nothing more needed to be said.
“I’ll see you in a few days,” Dominic said.
Damien extended his hand.
Instead of shaking it, Dominic pulled him into a brief embrace before patting him once on the shoulder.
“Have a safe flight, Son.”
Damien returned the embrace. “You take care of yourself here too, Dad.”
When they pulled apart, Dominic’s hands remained on his son’s shoulders for a moment, giving them a reassuring squeeze before he finally let go.
Damien turned and climbed into the vehicle as James respectfully inclined his head toward Dominic before taking his place in the front passenger seat.
Once everyone was in position, Monroe gave the signal to move.
The three vehicles pulled out of the underground parking area in a tight formation and made their way toward the building’s main exit.
Dominic remained where he was, watching the convoy disappear through the exit. Only after the last taillights vanished from sight did he turn toward the private elevator.
Outside, the media immediately reacted.
r
Reporters rushed toward the driveway as the security gates opened, raising microphones and cameras while shouting Damien’s name. Several attempted to move closer to the vehicles, but Blackwood security personnel quickly formed a barrier and forced them to remain behind the designated line.
Camera flashes reflected across the tinted windows as the convoy passed through the crowd.
Inside the middle vehicle, Damien remained seated with his attention directed toward the road ahead. He did not look toward the reporters or acknowledge the commotion outside.
The lead SUV turned onto the main road, followed closely by Damien’s vehicle and Nicholas’s behind it. Within moments, the convoy disappeared into traffic and continued toward the private hangar.
Across the street, Roman Kozlov watched the three vehicles leave.
4 Chapter
refully Choreographed Exit
*25 Points
He waited until several other cars had passed before starting the sedan’s engine. Remaining far enough behind to avoid attracting attention, he pulled away from the curb and followed the convoy through the
city.
He had no reason to suspect that every vehicle, every passenger, and every visible member of Blackwood’s security team had been positioned exactly where they wanted him to see them.
Approximately thirty minutes later, the convoy arrived at Blackwood Enterprises‘ private hangar at the executive aviation terminal just outside the city.
Ground crews were already standing by.
As soon as the vehicles came to a stop, the hangar doors slid fully open, revealing the company’s Gulfstream waiting on the tarmac with its engines already running.
From his position outside the restricted perimeter, Roman eased his sedan to a stop.
The executive aviation facility was heavily secured. Blackwood security personnel were stationed throughout the area, while access to the private hangars was tightly controlled. Getting any closer would only draw unwanted attention.
Through the perimeter fence, he watched members of Blackwood’s security detail fan out across the tarmac as Damien and the others made their way toward the waiting Gulfstream.
Roman reached for his phone and quickly typed a message.
At Blackwood’s private hangar. Security is tight. Blackwood is boarding now with his right–hand man. Ashcroft is boarding as well. Only four security personnel are accompanying them. Blackwood’s Head of Security, two members of the Elite Security Team, and Ashcroft’s bodyguard.
He tapped send, slipped the phone back into his pocket, and returned his full attention to the tarmac.
From a distance, he watched Blackwood’s security team unload several cases from the vehicles and load them onto the aircraft.
One by one, his targets boarded the waiting Gulfstream.
Less than an hour later, the Gulfstream taxied away from the hangar before accelerating down the runway and lifting into the sky.
Roman watched until the aircraft disappeared into the distance.
He pulled out his phone and sent one final message.
Aircraft departed. Blackwood has left the country.
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Satisfied that his job was done, he slipped the phone back into his pocket, started the engine, and drove
away.
What he never realized was that every person in his sights already knew he was there.
High above the city, the Gulfstream steadily climbed toward cruising altitude.
A voice came through Monroe’s earpiece. He listened in silence before making his way to Damien’s seat.
Chapter SW wellly choreographed Exit
“Boss,” he said quietly. “Roman just left.”
Seated across from Damien, Nicholas raised the glass in his hand.
Damien reached for his own, and their glasses met with a soft clink.
Nicholas allowed himself a faint smile.
“He took the bait.”
Damien took a slow sip without saying a word.
+25 Points
At that moment, everything Viktor Volkov believed he knew had been part of a carefully choreographed
exit.
veintiocho
07/15/2026 – If you’ve unlocked this chapter, it means you’ve come a long way with Maya and Damien’s journey. Thank you for staying with them every step of the way.
As I’ve mentioned in many of my replies, this story is still ongoing, and the chapters are written in real time and published as they are completed. Writing is not my full–time job, but I do my very best to write and published at least 1 chapter every day. That’s the update schedule I can realistically commit to, and I’ll continue doing my best to stay consistent.
To everyone who has continued following Maya and Damien’s story from the very beginning, thank you for your patience, understanding, and support. It truly means more to me than you know.
Now that everyone is on their way to Japan, the stakes are about to get much higher. Tensions will rise, secrets will unravel, and new conflicts will test every character in ways they never expected.
Thank you again for reading, and I’ll see you in the next chapter!
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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.