Chapter 65: [Monetary Return: $107,900,000,000.]

[Bonded Partner: Eleanor]

[Current Favourability: 83]

[Significant Asset Growth Detected.]

[Calculating Return...]

[Return Calculation Complete.]

[Monetary Return: $107,900,000,000.]

Damon glanced at the notification, checking the amount once before dismissing the interface.

The Sterling deal had generated a return of $107.9 billion at Eleanor’s current favourability multiplier. It was an absurd amount of money, even by the standards he was beginning to grow accustomed to.

He kept his expression unchanged; the people around the table had no idea what had just appeared before him.

Across the conference table, Eleanor was thanking the people who had helped bring the transaction to its conclusion.

The board members were already gathering their documents, and a few still glanced toward Damon with the same quiet curiosity they’d shown when he first entered.

When the meeting finally broke up, Eleanor exchanged a few last words with the senior staff before returning to him.

"Sorry to keep you waiting," she said, slipping her arm through his. "There were a few things I needed to settle before leaving."

"It’s fine. You’re the one who had an important deal to finish."

"And now it’s finished." The satisfaction in her voice was unmistakable. She looked at him with a smile that had little to do with business.

"Do you have anything planned for the rest of the day?"

"Nothing urgent."

"Good. Come with me, then."

Damon glanced at her. "Where are we going?"

"My apartment."

She said it casually, as though the invitation required no explanation, and started toward the exit with him beside her.

They reached the parking area a few minutes later. Eleanor settled into the passenger seat of his car and gave him directions as he pulled away from the building.

For a while, their conversation stayed light. She mentioned a few things she still needed to arrange after the signing, though she didn’t dwell on the business now that the deal was complete.

Damon listened while navigating the afternoon traffic, occasionally glancing at her when she pointed out a turn.

After several minutes, he began to recognize the neighbourhood, although the route wasn’t taking them toward the apartment he remembered.

"You’ve moved?" he asked.

Eleanor turned toward him. "I suppose you could say that."

"That sounds suspiciously like you’re avoiding the question."

She laughed. "Just keep driving. You’ll understand when we get there."

Damon let her keep the destination a secret, following her directions until they arrived at a residential building on a quieter street.

Once he parked, Eleanor led him toward the entrance. He glanced up at the building, then back at her.

"You own this place?"

"The entire building," she replied, sounding almost amused by his surprise. "I wanted to bring you here myself."

That explained why she moved through the entrance so comfortably. She greeted the attendant, then led Damon toward the lift without needing to ask for directions.

"Are you going to tell me what makes this place so special?" he asked.

"When we get upstairs."

Eleanor seemed more eager now than she had been during the signing.

The composure she had maintained through a billion-dollar transaction had given way to something more personal, and Damon could tell this visit meant more to her than simply showing off a property.

The lift carried them to her floor. She led him down the corridor and stopped in front of a door, taking out her key.

"Come in," she said, opening it for him.

The moment the door opened, Damon understood why she’d wanted to bring him here herself.

He stepped inside and took in the spacious living room, tasteful furnishings, and wide windows that filled the apartment with natural light.

Everything felt comfortable and personal, as though the space had been arranged for someone who intended to live here rather than impress visitors.

He turned toward Eleanor, who had quietly closed the door behind them.

Eleanor’s expression softened. She stepped inside and closed the door behind them, taking a moment before answering.

"This apartment was mine before my divorce," She explained. "During the proceedings, it was seized. I couldn’t keep it, no matter how much it meant to me."

She paused, looking around the room.

"I’ve finally managed to get it back. I thought it was time to come home."

She walked farther into the room, her fingers brushing the back of the sofa as she looked around.

For years, this place had existed only as something taken from her, a reminder of everything she had lost. Now she could finally return on her own terms, without anyone deciding whether she deserved to stay.

Damon understood now. This wasn’t simply another property she owned. It was a place she had lost and fought to reclaim, and bringing him here meant she wanted him to share that moment with her.

"You wanted me to see this for myself," he said.

Eleanor nodded. "You knew me when things were very different. I wanted you to see this part of my life, too."

Damon could understand that. Their relationship had begun in a very different setting, with him as her tenant and Eleanor as the woman managing her own affairs.

Since then, their lives had changed considerably. She had built her business into something far larger, and he had become a much more important presence in her life.

"You’ve done well for yourself," He told her.

Eleanor looked at him, her expression softening. "I wouldn’t have everything I have now without you."

"You did the work, Eleanor. I gave you opportunities, but you were the one who made use of them."

She smiled, apparently satisfied with his answer, then moved closer and took his hand.

"I know," she said. "That’s one of the reasons I wanted you here today."

She drew him toward her and rested a hand against his chest.

"Damon..."

Before he could answer, she rose onto her toes and kissed him, wrapping her arms around him.

He felt the warmth of her lips against his, and she slipped her arms around him as she drew closer, kissing him again with a confidence that left little doubt about what she wanted.