Silent Scars

CHAPTER 45

The towering Hastings building loomed over the city skyline, a symbol of power, wealth, and untouchable authority

Inside, the air was crisp with efficiency, employees moved swiftly, heads down, conversations hushed.

No one questioned orders.

No one defied the rules.

And yet, as Domain Hastings walked through the entrance, a shift in the atmosphere was almost immediate.

The receptionist, who usually greeted every visitor with a bright smile, froze mid sentence. Security guards, trained, disciplined men instinctively straightened, their hands twitching near their belts, not out of fear, but out of respect.

Domain was not the eldest Hastings. He was not the one who ran the empire. But he was the one no one dared to cross.

Dressed in his signature dark jacket, hood down, sharp eyes scanning the lobby, he walked with an effortless authority that needed no introduction.

Unlike Leonardo, who commanded through calculated words and an intimidating presence, Domain’s reputation came from something raw, something primal.

He was the brother who didn’t care for business meetings or negotiations.

He was the brother who would break a man’s jaw before asking a question.

And everyone in this building knew it.

A junior executive, too distracted by his phone, accidentally stepped into his path. The second he noticed who he had almost bumped into, his face drained of color.

“S-Sir, I....”

Domain didn’t even glance at him. Just walked past, as if the man didn’t exist.

No one tried to stop him.

The elevator doors slid open. He stepped in, hitting the top floor without hesitation. As the doors shut, a few employees exhaled in relief.

Upstairs, outside Leonardo’s office, Marco, the only man in the building who wasn’t afraid to look him in the eye, stood with his arms crossed.

“He’s busy.”

Marco said simply.

Domain didn’t slow down.

“I don’t care.”

Marco sighed but didn’t bother stopping him. There was no point.

With one strong push, Domain swung the door open and strode in without hesitation.

Leonardo sat behind his massive oak desk, a file open in front of him. His piercing gaze lifted to meet Domain’s, momentarily taken aback. He hadn’t expected Domain to be here.

Leonardo narrowed his eyes. “You should knock before coming in.”

Domain, unbothered, stepped back, and knocked twice on the already open door.

“There. Happy?”

Leonardo’s lips pressed into a tight line, clearly unimpressed.

“What do you want, Dom?”

Domain strode forward, placing both hands on Leonardo’s desk, his movements controlled but forceful. He leaned in slightly, his dark eyes locked onto his brother’s.

“What are you hiding now?”

Leonardo’s brow lifted.

“What do you mean?”

His voice remained neutral, but Domain could sense the tension behind it.

Domain’s jaw clenched. “Cut the shit, Leo.”