Chapter 273: My Brain Is Running on Overdrive

Damien learned Ava needed to speak with him. Already in a foul mood, he dreaded another tense confrontation. He knew nothing good ever came from her seeking him out. However, Ruby had urged him repeatedly, leaving him no choice but to go.

Ava had already left the banquet and found a break room to rest. Seeing Damien arrive, she gestured for him to sit.

"What do you need?" he asked.

Ava felt a surge of anger, but suppressed it. She casually mentioned his upcoming announcement as the Winters family heir.

"I heard you'll be announced as the heir soon. I don't have much to offer, but I hope you'll never forget whose son you are," she said, raising her glass in a toast.

Damien knew nothing pleasant would follow. A blessing was the most he could expect from their mother-son relationship. He poured himself a glass of wine, clinked glasses with her, and drank it in one gulp.

Ava's displeasure morphed into a hint of triumph and madness. "In the future, help Ruby and her child. You should be grateful and repay Oliver accordingly."

Damien took a deep breath. She was still trying to upset him. He'd already seen his beloved become Oliver's fiancée. What more did she want? He understood gratitude, but what right did anyone, especially his mother, have to dictate his feelings?

Finally losing his temper, he blurted, "Are you even my biological mother?"

Ava's eyes flickered with surprise, then she shouted, "What nonsense are you spouting?"

"You ask me to care for Ruby, but forget the Winters family rules when you ask me to repay Oliver? I've never heard of a rule obligating failed heirs to be repaid by the successor. I earned my position, not Oliver. We both trained under Aunt Lydia, and she chose me because he couldn't match me, not because he relinquished his claim. The only person I owe gratitude to is Aunt Lydia. It has nothing to do with Oliver."

Damien, having held back his frustrations all day, finally unleashed them. He'd never truly desired the heir's position. However, a deeply ingrained belief—that he was raised by this family and his abilities earned him this position—left him no choice but to accept it.

The Winters family never felt he'd stolen Oliver's future. He'd introspected, wondering why he harbored such ingrained, ineradicable thoughts. He knew it was Ava's incessant influence.

The pain of his birth family was inescapable, even when he knew their claims were wrong. Despite his rational understanding that he owed nothing, he still felt compelled to give in. He'd even given up the woman he loved. What more did they want?

Ava's pressure felt suffocating. His mind clouded, a wave of warmth surged through his body, making even breathing a struggle.

Damien sensed something was wrong. He looked at Ava in bewilderment. "You drugged me? What are you planning?"

Her earlier words contorted her face into an ugly scowl.

"You ingrate! How dare you assume the headship? You've let me and your father down! You should atone forever!"

Ava spoke as if bewitched. Only after Damien collapsed did she snap back to reality, chuckling coldly as she summoned Ruby.

Ruby laughed excitedly. "The drug's working fast!"

"What about next door?" Ava asked.

"That woman already drank what Oliver gave her. I checked; she's passed out," Ruby said, becoming slightly concerned. "What if they accuse us?"

Ava sneered. "The Winters family wouldn't. As for the Carney family, they'll be satisfied with a marriage alliance and won't care who it is."

Ruby burst into laughter. "This way, Oliver becomes the head of the family!"

Ava nodded affectionately.

Ruby's eyes darted around. So, I'll become the future lady of the Winters family? This is better than being a Willis. I can't have Alexander, but I'll get to torment Isabella. Oliver isn't easy to control, but I have a plan. I saved a photo of us. As soon as they announce Oliver's engagement is off and his succession, I'll reveal we're together. If he refuses to cooperate, I'll use the photo to pressure him. Of course, I'll keep this from Mom. She acts like an elder to Oliver, but it's for Alexander. She dislikes Oliver, probably cursing his mother daily. Their relationship must have been terrible; otherwise, Mom wouldn't resent Aunt Lydia so much. Maybe she thinks her ex-husband would have become the head of the family if not for Aunt Lydia.

Ruby felt conflicted. She couldn't understand why Ava would help Oliver when she hated Lydia so much. Then it clicked. Mom despises Damien more because he's caused us trouble. She'd rather help Oliver than let Damien succeed.

Ruby found perverse pleasure in the situation. She helped the unconscious Damien to the adjacent room, placing him on the bed where Deborah lay. Deborah groaned but remained unconscious. Damien awoke to intense body heat and Deborah's fragrance, his sanity slowly slipping away. The closing door sound preceded his difficult eye-opening. His heart leaped. Before him was the woman he'd longed for a decade.

Meanwhile, in the ballroom, the Quirks reacted with shock:

Catching them in the act?

Alexander: Who are we catching?

Oh my How do I react? Oliver will catch Damien and Deborah! My brain is running on overdrive! That's a nice gift to give your fiancée—a perfect Dantian strike! Wait, even without drugs, would Damien happily replace him in the marriage agreement? No, no, this is wrong. They've been drugged and locked together! Something bad will happen! We need to save them!