[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":-1},["ShallowReactive",2],{"origin-the-maid-s-deception":3,"chapter-the-maid-s-deception-the-maid-s-deception-chapter-149":6},{"origin":4,"title":5},"english","The Maid's Deception",{"chapter":7,"nextChapterSlug":20,"prevChapterSlug":21,"totalChapters":22,"novelImage":23},{"id":8,"novel_id":9,"title":10,"slug":11,"index":12,"content":13,"wordcount":14,"created_at":15,"updated_at":16,"volume":17,"translator":18,"content_hash":19},579270,828,"Chapter 149 - 151: Harold’s Desperation","the-maid-s-deception-chapter-149",149,"\u003Cp>HAROLD’S POV - The Morning After the Charity Event\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Harold Ashford stared at the message on his phone for the hundredth time, his jaw clenched so tight it ached.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Keep your daughter in check, or I’ll make her disappear from our lives. Permanently.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Attached were files. Dozens of them. Evidence of Victoria’s involvement in the necklace scheme. Email trails. Payment records. But worse....much worse....were the additional documents about his own financial dealings.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Irregularities in Ashford Capital’s quarterly reports. Questionable transactions that skirted the line of legality. Nothing overtly criminal, but enough to trigger investigations that would destroy his reputation and possibly land him in federal prison.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Damien Blackwood had him by the throat. And they both knew it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Harold had responded with the only thing he could:Understood. It won’t happen again.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But understanding and accepting were two very different things.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He sat in his study, expensive scotch untouched on the desk, his mind working through options. Direct attacks on Aria were clearly off the table. Damien had made that abundantly clear. And Victoria....his foolish, emotional daughter....had proven herself more liability than asset.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But there was another angle. One that might still work.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Richard Blackwood.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Harold had known Richard for forty years. They’d done business together, socialized in the same circles, maintained a friendship built on mutual respect and shared values. Richard was traditional, old-school, believed in legacy and reputation above all else.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And Richard, for all his approval of Aria at that dinner party, had to have concerns. Had to see the potential problems with Damien’s relationship. The optics. The business implications. The way it looked to have the CEO of Blackwood Enterprises publicly involved with a woman who’d started as his maid.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Harold picked up his phone and dialed Richard’s private number.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Harold.\" Richard’s voice was cool. \"I wondered when you’d call.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Richard. I think we need to talk. About our children.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Damien is hardly a child. He’s thirty-one years old and perfectly capable of making his own decisions.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Of course. But as men who’ve built legacies, who understand what’s at stake when family reputation is involved....surely you see my concerns.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A pause. \"What concerns, specifically?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"May I come by? This isn’t a conversation for the phone.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Another pause, longer this time. \"Fine. This afternoon. Three o’clock. But Harold....if this is another scheme to talk about Aria and Damien’s Relationship, save us both the time.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"It’s not a scheme. It’s a conversation between old friends about the futures of our families.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"We’ll see. Three o’clock.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The line went dead.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Harold sat back, his mind already constructing arguments. He couldn’t attack Aria directly. But he could raise legitimate business concerns. Could remind Richard of the conversations they’d had years ago about Damien and Victoria. Could plant seeds of doubt about whether this relationship was truly in Blackwood Enterprises’ best interest.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was a long shot. But it was the only shot he had left.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>*******\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Richard knew exactly why Harold was coming. And he was prepared to shut it down permanently.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He’d received a call from Damien that morning, explaining the charity event, the attempted frame-up, the evidence Marcus had compiled about Victoria’s involvement. Richard had listened with growing fury as his grandson detailed Harold’s scheming.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"What did you do?\" Richard had asked.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I told him to keep Victoria away from Aria or I’ll make her dissapear.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Good. You should have done it weeks ago.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I’m telling you because he’ll probably come to you next. Try to use your friendship. Try to make you doubt Aria or pressure me to end things.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Let him try. I’ll handle Harold Ashford.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Now, watching Harold’s car pull up to the estate, Richard felt a cold satisfaction. This was going to be their last conversation about this subject. One way or another.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Harold entered the study with his usual confident bearing, but Richard could see the tension in his shoulders, the tightness around his eyes.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Richard. Thank you for seeing me.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Sit. Say what you came to say.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Harold settled into the leather chair across from Richard’s desk. \"I want to talk about Damien and Victoria.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"There is no ’Damien and Victoria.’ There’s Damien and Aria. Victoria is no longer part of that equation.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"But she could be. If Damien would just see reason.....\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Harold.\" Richard’s voice was sharp. \"Let me be very clear. Damien has chosen Aria. He loves her. I approve of her. This conversation is already over.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"But the business implications....\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"What business implications?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"The optics of the CEO dating his assistant. The board has concerns....\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"The board answers to me. And I’ve already addressed those concerns by having Damien give Aria a position that reflects her actual abilities. She’s Chief Innovation Officer now. A role she’s eminently qualified for.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"A role created specifically for her. That’s not better optics, Richard. That’s worse. It looks like nepotism. Like Damien is letting his personal life compromise his professional judgment.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Or it looks like a brilliant CEO recognizing talent and utilizing it effectively. Perspective matters, Harold.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Harold leaned forward. \"I’m not trying to attack the girl. I’m trying to protect Damien. Protect the company. You and I both know that relationships like this....relationships built on such... unconventional foundations....rarely last. And when they end, they create chaos. Damage the company. Hurt everyone involved.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Is that your professional opinion? Or your personal agenda?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Both. I care about Damien. I’ve known him since he was a boy. And I care about Blackwood Enterprises. I’m one of your largest investors. I have a stake in this company’s success.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Then you should trust that Damien knows what he’s doing. He’s proven himself as CEO. Doubled the company’s value in five years. Expanded into new markets. Made strategic decisions that have benefited every shareholder, including you.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I’m not questioning his business acumen. I’m questioning his judgment when it comes to this woman.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Her name is Aria. Use it.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Harold’s jaw tightened. \"Fine. Aria. Who infiltrated Damien’s home under false pretenses. Who lied about her identity. Who stole from him. And who he’s now elevated to a senior position in his company. You don’t see any problems with that?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I see a young woman who was desperate to save her mother. Who made difficult choices in an impossible situation. Who faced the consequences of those choices with honesty and courage. And who Damien has forgiven and chosen to build a future with. That’s what I see.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"You’re being naive, Richard. This girl is going to hurt him. She’s already proven she’s willing to lie, to manipulate....\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Enough.\" Richard’s voice cracked like a whip. \"I know what you’re doing, Harold. You’re trying to plant doubt. Trying to use our friendship to undermine Aria because your daughter failed to trap Damien into a relationship he never wanted.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"That’s not....\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Victoria tried to frame Aria for theft last night. At the charity gala. Did you know that? Or did you help plan it?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Harold went pale. \"I don’t know what you’re talking about.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Don’t insult my intelligence. Damien has evidence. Email trails. Payment records. Everything needed to prove Victoria orchestrated the entire scheme. And if you think I don’t know about your own financial irregularities....the questionable transactions Marcus uncovered.....you’re mistaken.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Richard, I can explain....\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I don’t want explanations. I want you to leave my grandson and his girlfriend alone. Permanently.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"We had an understanding,\" Harold said desperately. \"Years ago. You and I agreed that Damien and Victoria would be a good match. That our families would benefit from an alliance.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"We discussed it. We never agreed to anything. And even if we had....Damien is a grown man. I don’t dictate his personal life.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"But you could influence him. You’re the most important person in his life. If you expressed concerns about Aria....\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I have no concerns about Aria. She’s exactly what Damien needs. Strong, honest, intelligent. She challenges him. Makes him better. And I fully support their relationship.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Even knowing it could damage the company? Even knowing the board has reservations?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"The board will fall in line. They always do. And if they don’t, Damien and I control enough shares to override any objections.\" Richard stood, signaling the end of the conversation. \"Here’s what’s going to happen, Harold. You’re going to accept that Damien and Aria are together. You’re going to stop scheming. You’re going to control your daughter. And you’re going to move on with your life.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"And if I don’t?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Then Damien will release everything Marcus found to the appropriate authorities. And I won’t stop him. In fact, I’ll help him. Because threatening my grandson’s happiness is the same as threatening me. And I don’t respond well to threats.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Harold stood slowly, his expression a mixture of fury and defeat. \"This is a mistake, Richard. You’re making a mistake supporting this relationship.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"That’s my decision to make. Just like it’s Damien’s decision who he loves.\" Richard moved toward the door. \"One more thing, Harold. I know exactly what Damien is capable of when someone threatens what’s his. I raised him. I taught him how to be ruthless when necessary. And right now, he’s holding back because he respects our friendship and doesn’t want to hurt me by destroying you completely.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Is that a threat?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"It’s a warning. Leave them alone. Because if you don’t, I won’t be able to protect you from what he’ll do. And honestly? I won’t try. He has my full permission to handle you however he sees fit.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Harold’s face went ashen.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Now get out of my house. And Harold? Don’t come back unless you’re invited.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Richard watched Harold leave, saw the defeat in his shoulders, the way he’d aged ten years in the span of this conversation.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Good. Let him understand the consequences of his scheming.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Richard returned to his desk and called Damien.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"It’s done,\" he said when his grandson answered. \"I handled Harold. He won’t be a problem anymore.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"What did you say to him?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"That he needs to accept your relationship with Aria. That I support you completely. And that if he continues to cause problems, I won’t stop you from destroying him.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Damien was quiet for a moment. \"Thank you, Grandfather.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Don’t thank me. Just be happy. That’s all I’ve ever wanted for you. And Damien? Bring Aria by this weekend. I want to spend time with her. Get to know the woman who’s made you smile again.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Thank you Grandfather.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"You are welcome boy. Now go take care of your woman. And don’t let anyone....not Harold, not the board, not anyone....make you doubt what you have with her.\"\u003C\u002Fp>",1757,"2026-05-30T16:13:55.116Z","2026-06-01T04:31:40.442Z",1,"novelbin.me","8da25ad0abcee8278b9da34f759ec42448b8f93d9a00f9d967886bdbfb7d2577","the-maid-s-deception-chapter-150","the-maid-s-deception-chapter-148",331,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fthe-maid-s-deception-cover.jpg"]