Elena finally understood his confidence earlier. Victor had mentioned "Mr. Hale," but she hadn't initially connected the dots.
Damian's lips quirked slightly. "Victor's got plenty of money."
Elena shook her head, amused. "That much is obvious."
The atmosphere inside the restaurant was serene. Only fifty guests were typically allowed in each day, ensuring privacy and exclusivity. Tonight, with the entire place reserved, it was even more tranquil.
Elena followed Damian inside, where Victor Hale was already waiting.
"Damian. Miss Cross," Victor greeted warmly, waving them over.
"Mr. Hale," Elena said politely. Though she knew Damian and Victor were acquaintances, she hadn't realized Victor wielded such influence.
Victor inclined his head graciously. "Mr. Blackwell, Miss Cross, please enjoy your meal."
With practiced discretion, Victor departed, signaling the staff to keep their distance. Even the waiters stationed themselves ten steps away, ready to serve without intruding.
Elena settled into her seat, her curiosity piqued. Damian Blackwell was clearly more than he appeared to be. And tonight, she'd just witnessed a glimpse of his true power.
Victor Hale's task today was to book the entire restaurant under his name for Damian Blackwell.
Once the task was complete, Victor knew it was time to make a discreet exit. Being a third wheel was never his style.
Pretending to answer a sudden phone call, Victor offered a poor excuse, "Damian, Miss Cross, I just remembered I have urgent matters to attend to. I'll have to take my leave. You two enjoy your dinner."
Damian nodded casually, "No problem."
Elena felt embarrassed. They had just leveraged Victor's influence to humiliate Ethan Caldwell and Selena Cross, and now they were getting a free meal out of it.
"Mr. Hale, thank you so much for your help earlier. If it weren't for you, we would've been thoroughly humiliated."
Victor waved it off with a grin. "Damian's business is my business. No big deal. Those two aren't fit to set foot in this restaurant again—they're revolting."
He cast a quick glance at Damian, the true owner of the establishment. Those two had offended Damian and Elena. That was as good as signing their social death warrants.
"I really must dash. Enjoy your meal!" Victor said before slipping away, not giving Elena a chance to express further gratitude.
As he disappeared, Elena turned to Damian, curiosity glinting in her eyes.
"Damian, what does your friend do?"
The way Victor spoke about Ethan and Selena, as if they were beneath notice, suggested he wasn't afraid of offending the powerful Caldwell family.
Damian's tone was nonchalant. "He's in the film and television industry. The son of the Hale Media Group."
Elena's eyes widened in surprise. "Really? How do you know the son of Hale Media Group?"
The Hale Media Group dominated the film and television industry in the city.
Damian's lips curved slightly. "I saved him once. He owes me his life."
"No wonder he listens to you. So it's out of gratitude," Elena mused, accepting his explanation without suspicion. After all, Damian didn't look like a wealthy man, so this made sense.
Otherwise, why would the heir of Hale Media Group treat him with such respect?
Recalling Ethan's sneering words earlier, Elena's expression darkened. "Don't let their words bother you."
"It's nothing." Damian shrugged dismissively. "Like listening to stray dogs bark."
Elena felt compelled to explain further. "Those two… they were—"
Damian interrupted gently, taking her hand. "Elena, the past belongs where it is—in the past. I'm not so easily provoked."
Elena's heart softened at his words. She had initially entered this arrangement with Damian on a whim, without considering the long term.
But just now, his unwavering support and calm demeanor stirred something warm within her.
She smiled, "You're right. The past isn't worth mentioning. Let's eat—I'm starving."
Damian's lips curved into a deeper smile. "Very well."
After dinner, Damian drove with one hand while holding Elena's hand with the other.
Elena blushed at the intimate contact. She wasn't used to such gestures. She tried to pull her hand away, but Damian held it firmly.
Realizing it was futile, she gave up and shyly turned her head toward the window.
Her shy reflection caught Damian's attention, making him chuckle softly. "My Elena is so bashful."
"My Elena?" she retorted, her voice tinged with mock indignation, though her heart raced.
Damian's smile deepened as he observed her flushed cheeks.
Elena's face grew even hotter, her palms damp with nervous sweat. Her heart thudded in her chest, a sensation she hadn't experienced with Ethan.
Was this what falling for someone felt like?
Lowering her gaze, she murmured, "Drive carefully."
"Alright," Damian said, his voice warm with amusement.
The city lights blurred past as they drove, but all Elena could focus on was the undeniable flutter in her chest.
But when Damian said it, his hand did not loosen its grip on Elena's.
Just then, his phone buzzed sharply, breaking the quiet moment. He frowned but didn't answer.
"Why don't you answer the call?" Elena asked curiously. "It could be important."
The phone kept ringing insistently. Damian glanced at the caller ID, his brows knitting into a deep frown.
Elena didn't mean to eavesdrop, but the tension in Damian's face was hard to ignore. Whatever was being said on the other end clearly upset him.
When the call ended, she asked softly, "Is everything okay?"
"I need to handle something," Damian said grimly.
"That's fine. Go ahead," Elena said, masking her disappointment with a smile. She didn't want to seem clingy, even though the sudden shift in the evening's mood stung.
Damian's gaze softened. "I'll make it up to you, Elena."
"There's no need. Take care of your business."
Damian drove her home first, his expression apologetic as he pulled up by her house. "I'll see you soon, I promise."
Elena nodded, waving him off. "Drive safely."