Damián couldn't help but smile happily, then spoke in a playful tone, "Children..."
Meanwhile, Aster looked at her friend and remarked, "I thought the dynamics would involve fighting against the protagonist only, not battling against everyone else beyond the protagonist."
Mia, Ava, and Henry distanced themselves with poorly contained angry movements.
Approaching Penny, who was observing the scene from a distance, Mia inquired, "Conflict?"
Mia's discontent was evident, as she had expected Aster and Damián to be easily intimidated. Frustration surged within her—an overwhelming wave of dissatisfaction. Deep down, she believed that Adam deserved better than Damián and that Callum should be hers.
However, openly expressing these feelings was not an option. A complex web of jealousy and wounded self-esteem fueled her reaction.
Keeping this in mind, Mia navigated the situation as she addressed Penny. She chose her words carefully, avoiding revealing the depth of her dissatisfaction: "It seems the dynamics are shifting unexpectedly. We need to adjust and adapt to handle this new twist." She managed a forced smile, attempting to mask her disappointment while seeking a way to maintain composure in front of Penny.
In contrast to Henry's inability to conceal his frustration, Ava simply remarked, "They're two cunning snakes."
Her observation carried a mix of disdain and admiration, as though she recognized the cunning behind Aster and Damián's actions, even if she didn't agree with their position. Ava had a unique way of expressing her opinions, choosing words that revealed subtle judgment.
While the yacht continued its seemingly tranquil journey, a bit further away, in the lavish Phillips residence, a series of unexpected events was poised to shake the atmosphere.
Jared Phillips, an influential businessman and the family patriarch, perused the morning newspaper with a serious expression. His wife, Beatrice, sat at the table, lost in her thoughts. The Phillips mansion stood imposing, reflecting the family's prestige and wealth, rooted in the highest social circles.
Upstairs, the couple's children, Callum and Oliver Phillips, were about to begin their day. However, the mansion's tranquil air was abruptly shattered as Clarice stormed into the room, a furious expression on her face.
In one hand, she held a smartphone, her features twisted with a mix of anger and resentment. "Father, mother, you won't believe what I've just received," she burst out.
Jared lowered the newspaper, casting an inquisitive glance at Clarice. "What's happening, Clarice?"
Beatrice looked at her daughter, her concern evident in her tone. "Calm down, dear, and tell us what's going on."
With a furious gesture, Clarice displayed the smartphone, revealing the photos of Callum and Aster that Mia and Ava had sent. The images captured them together, sharing intimate moments and conspiratorial smiles on the yacht.
Anger sparked in Beatrice's eyes as she observed the photos. "Look at this! They're acting as if there's no tomorrow. Those two sent you these photos to provoke you!"
Oliver, who had entered the room quietly, observed the discussion with a thoughtful expression. He knew his family had a good relationship with the Campbells, yet some resentment lingered.
Oliver wasn't as entangled in social dramas as the rest of his family, but he understood that things were about to become complicated.
Beatrice pressed her lips together, contemplating the impact on the family's prestige. "These photos could cause an uproar in high society."
With a helpless look, Clarice turned to her mother and asked, "What are you planning to do, mother?"
Beatrice shot a venomous look at the phone, feeling humiliated and outraged. "I won't let this go unpunished. They won't get away with this so easily."
Amid the heated discussion about the provocative photos, Beatrice Phillips began to envision the potentially devastating consequences of the situation.
Her face contorted into an expression of outrage, revealing her relentless sense of control over her social sphere. She arched an impeccably sculpted eyebrow and fixed her gaze on Clarice, her daughter, before speaking in a chilly tone:
"Clarice, these photos are an affront to our status. Weren't we invited to this event? This is unacceptable. Does this prove that we'll be excluded from now on? What if these photos become public? Imagine the scandal it could cause."
Jared Phillips cast a worried glance at his daughter, aware of the impact those photos had on Clarice. "Beatrice, let's approach this calmly. We need to understand the context before jumping to conclusions."
Even in her anger, Clarice acknowledged the validity of her mother's points. The exclusion of the Phillips family struck at Beatrice's pride, as she had always striven to keep the family in the highest social circles. While Clarice worried about her own status, she had other reasons for concern.
Beatrice's words cut like knives, digging deep into Clarice's insecurities. However, the relationship never flourished, and memories of that unsuccessful attempt still caused Clarice pain.
Observing the tension between her mother and sister, Oliver decided to intervene. He had a more pragmatic approach and often preferred to avoid social conflicts. "Mother, perhaps it would be wise to accept things as they are for now. Lord Mallet is a close friend of my grandfather. But for now, it's their moment."
With dark plans and shadowy intentions, Beatrice began to devise a plan to maintain her status and reaffirm her influence over social events.
As Callum stepped onto the yacht's deck, he surveyed the surroundings with determination. His eyes scanned for Aster, a familiar figure amidst the lively atmosphere. The sun cast a warm glow over the scene, its gentle rays dancing upon the crystal-clear waters.
His emerald green eyes narrowed as he spotted Aster near the stern of the yacht, her hair capturing the sunlight like a halo. With resolute steps, he weaved through mingling guests, each stride bringing him closer.
Engaged in conversation with Damián, Aster felt a magnetic pull at her heart, a sense of recognition stirring even before she looked up to see Callum approaching.
Damián couldn't suppress his amusement and, amid laughter, remarked upon seeing Callum approaching in his orange and green attire, "Looks like your Aquaman is arriving!"
Aster burst into genuine laughter at Damián's comment, her cheeks slightly flushed.
As Aster and Callum moved away in search of privacy, Damián was left alone, lost in a whirlwind of conflicting thoughts.
He knew Aster well, aware of her admirable self-control, quick thinking, ability to perform under pressure, and strong moral compass. Yet, he also understood the scars she carried—the absence of her parents, the sorrow of colleagues' deaths during missions, and the loss of her one true love.
Damián's fear lay in the possibility that Aster, in the face of Callum's comforting presence and the security his pheromones provided, might see him as a "safe haven." With a mental age of 48 years, lived more or less fully, Damián was well-acquainted with fragments of tragic endings. Would this be another sad final chapter for his friend?
Amidst a whirlwind of emotions, Damián grappled with an internal conflict. Aster seemed content, or at least comfortable, in her position, but Damián did not share these sentiments. He knew Adam wasn't a bad man, yet he also understood that he wasn't gay.
The question that plagued Damián was whether the ABO world's reality was shaping his thoughts. Was he influenced by surrounding social conventions, norms, and criteria?
Perhaps...
Undeniably, Aster O'Connor was an illegitimate child of Jared Phillips, and if his wife hadn't committed heinous acts, everything could have unfolded differently. Aster and Callum could have met years ago and already been married. La He-ri Williams could have grown up alongside her father and brother.
But all of that was shattered by Beatrice Phillips' hands. Damián had witnessed deaths caused by petty motives, but allowing the death of two innocent children was on an entirely different level.
He wasn't seeking to become a champion of the weak and oppressed, yet he believed that Beatrice should pay for her crimes. The desire for revenge grew within him, the need to impose punishment upon Beatrice Phillips, a murderer, and simultaneously, the mother of a protagonist.
The story seemed to challenge his core principles. The notion that children shouldn't pay for their parents' sins was an undeniable truth. However, heinous crimes, unacceptable in real life and equally intolerable in literature, presented themselves as disturbing realities.
Faced with this logical perspective, it appeared that Aster and Callum were already on the trajectory of their destined fate. And for a brief moment, Damián found himself entwined with an almost absurd thought: he wondered if Beatrice Phillips was aware of this—whether she, too, was from another world, just like them?
Wow, he must have gotten a lot of sun to be having such extravagant thoughts!
Yet, even amidst this storm of emotions and dark thoughts, one last doubt persisted: What if, despite everything, Aster could find happiness again? What if there was a chance, however small, for his to have a better life than before she came into this world?
Determined to carve his own path, Damián arrived at a conclusion: he would take on the role of the story's villain, and if necessary, rid himself of Clarice!
Lost in his thoughts, Damián didn't notice Adam's approach until he spoke, "Enjoying this sun?" in a relaxed tone, his eyes fixed on Damián.
Damián found himself momentarily enveloped in his own musings, a mixture of contrasting emotions lingering in his mind. It was as if he stood at a crossroads between yes and no, his thoughts starting to take rather peculiar and somewhat mad turns.
Quickly regaining his composure, Damián adopted a more relaxed posture. Upon noticing Adam's smile, he didn't miss the chance to playfully retort, "When you smile like that, you look like a shark ready to attack its prey."
The remark elicited hearty laughter from Adam, drawing curious glances. With a touch of humor. He responded, "Well, I'm here to devour you!" The banter sparked shared laughter between the two, creating a light and carefree atmosphere around them.