Damien stood in the hallway for another moment, collecting himself. His mind was racing through scenarios, through every possible way this situation could develop and how to prepare for each one.
Alexander Wei had made several mistakes. Coming to New York without announcing himself. Surveilling Aria without her knowledge or consent. Frightening Mei badly enough that she'd finally reached out for help.
But his biggest mistake was assuming that because he was Aria's biological father, that gave him some kind of claim or right that superseded everything else.
Damien had learned over the past year that Aria didn't respond well to claims of ownership or control. She'd run from him once when he'd tried to control her life without her consent. She'd hacked Harold Ashford's entire company when he'd tried to sabotage her career.
