Alfred answered without hesitation, tone perfectly neutral.
“Ms. Dahlia and Ms. Maya have already left, sir.”
The words hit like a gunshot.
Damien stood abruptly, the chair scraping hard against the floor.
“What?!”
“Yes, sir,” Alfred said calmly. “They departed approximately twenty minutes ago.”
Damien’s fist clenched at his side, knuckles whitening, pulse suddenly loud in his ears.
Twenty minutes.
Ashcroft straightened, all humor gone.
“Left?” he echoed. “Together?”
Alfred inclined his head.
“Yes, Mr. Ashcroft. They exited through the rear gates.”
Damien reached into his pocket and pulled out his phone.
Maya’s name filled the screen as he hit call.
One ring.
Then two.
Straight to voicemail.
His thumb hovered for half a second before he ended the call, jaw tightening.
“Da
