Chapter 840

When Damon announced that he'd stop using the McCoy family's money, everyone laughed it off like it was a joke.

But deep down,only Damon knew-he meant every word.

The very next day, Damon made a beeline for Daniela,purposely steering clear of Cedric.

He worried that Cedric might see him as nothing more than a nuisance.

Oddly enough, between Daniela and Cedric, the former felt more accessible-even if she rarely smiled.

Cedric had the softer demeanor, always polite and calm,while Daniela usually wore a blank, unreadable expression. And yet, Damon still chose her.

Daniela found it a bit funny. "Why not Cedric?Technically, he's your brother. So why are you standing in front of me?"

She studied Damon curiously, her brows slightly furrowed. Daniela's beauty was undeniable-sharp features,cool elegance-but when her face was neutral, it carried a chill that made most people keep their distance.

Damon pressed his lips together, bracing himself."I wanted to learn doing business from me."

A rare smile touched Daniela's lips, softening her features. "You wanted to learn doing business from me? Why's that? Last I heard, your casino's booming -biggest in the world, isn't it?"

As far as Daniela knew, Damon had poured his family's wealth into building the casino-strategically placed in a loosely regulated zone where both lawmen and outlaws alike showed him deference. Of course,that respect was less about Damon himself and more a nod to the McCoy family's formidable name.

The casino thrived, pulling in billions every year,outpacing the annual turnover of many established companies.

Hamilton held a special fondness for Damon, and this success was one of the big reasons why.

At one point, Hamilton had even considered making Damon the heir to the family legacy, but Damon's obsession with what Hamilton called "pointless ventures" made him rethink it.

"You've already done well for yourself. So why this sudden interest in learning from me?" Daniela asked,clearly puzzled.

"My father's not impressed. Says what I know isn't enough to survive. To him, I'm just a disappointment."

Daniela shook her head. "I don't mind you learning from me, but honestly, I already see you as quite accomplished. Among people your age, carving out your own empire in a lawless place like that is nothing short of remarkable. And no-I don't think you owe all your success to the McCoy name. You've earned a lot of that on your own."

Take Carol, for example-she didn't just play video games with anyone. But with Damon, they hit it off fast. Now they were practically best friends. That was quite rare.

Damon lowered his gaze, voice quiet. "Don't try to comfort me,Daniela."

"I don't go around comforting people."

Damon lifted his head at that, locking eyes with Daniela's unusually serious expression. "But my father has never once praised me."

Daniela responded, "I can't speak for your father, but in my eyes, you're outstanding. With your ability, you'd be running my casino without question." Damon had never felt so genuinely acknowledged by someone before

Daniela had fuly recognized his worth. He looked at her again and asked, "Really?"

Daniela nodded. "Absolutely."

Damon broke into a wide grin. "Then I'll work for you!"

Daniela raised an eyebrow and glanced at the contract."If you're okay with angering your father,I'm all for it."

Damon nodded eagerly. "Just keep it from my dad.Daniela, I swear you won't regret this-I'll make your casino the second biggest in the world!"

In his mind, this was the least he could do to make it up for Daniela.

Daniela gave a nonchalant nod. This business wasn't her main source of income. Her casino in Oiscoll's unregulated zone was still in its infancy-a mere playthingin her eyes

But Damon was completely serious. "Wait for the next quarterly report!"

With that, he walked out with confident strides.

Carol stepped in, flashing a thumbs-up at Daniela "Well done! He was sulking yesterday, and now look at him-totally fired up."

Daniela was about to smile when Kohen walked in

Her smile dimmed a little

Kohen smiled politely. "Nikolas and Damon already have assignments. Could you find something for me too?"

Daniela lowered her eyes, avoiding his gaze.

A heavy silence settled over the room, casting an invisible weight in the air.

Kohen often felt-maybe it was just hisimagination-that Daniela's natural authority mirrored Hamilton's,leaving him just as uneasy

He cleared his throat and said, "Daniela?"

Daniela looked up slightly and asked, "What's your take?"

Kohen responded quickly, "I lack the entrepreneurial drive and casino expertise Damon has. I've mostly assisted in the family business. Maybe I could learn from you? Or perhaps manage the construction and engineering side of things?"

Daniela paused and repeated, "Construction and engineering projects?"

Kohen nodded. "Yes, construction and engineering That's my strength. I can take full responsibility for it."

He was about to elaborate further to win her over.

After all, construction was a goldmine, even within McCoy Group, where only Hamilton's most trusted people were given control over it. Despite nearly a decade at McCoy Group, Kohen had only recently been allowed a glimpse into that realm.

Kohen opened his mouth, about to pitch himself more earnestly.

But Daniela simply said,"Okay."

Kohen froze,startled by how easily she agreed.

He stood there for a beat."Seriously?"

Daniela still didn't look up, replying with indifference,

"Isn't that what you requested?"