chapter 4

The week leading up to the big pitch passed in a blur of late nights and intense preparations. Sophia threw herself into her work, determined to make a mark at Evergreen and prove to Damian—and herself—that she belonged there.

Each day brought more interactions with Damian, and each one left her more perplexed. His criticism remained sharp, but there were moments—fleeting, barely noticeable—where his guard seemed to slip, revealing a depth of vulnerability she hadn’t expected.

It was these glimpses that unsettled her the most. Beneath his cold exterior, there was a man with scars, and though she didn’t know their source, she found herself drawn to the mystery of him.

The day of the pitch arrived, and the atmosphere in the office was electric. Everyone was on edge, nerves fraying under the weight of expectations.

Sophia stood with the team in the conference room, a bundle of nerves herself. The client, Mr. Carter, was a middle-aged man with a sharp mind and an even sharper tongue. He wasn’t easily impressed, and this pitch would determine whether Evergreen retained his multimillion-dollar account.

Damian entered the room last, his commanding presence silencing the low murmur of conversation. He glanced briefly at Sophia before taking his seat at the head of the table. “Let’s begin,” he said.

Sophia’s part came midway through the presentation. As she stood to speak, she felt Damian’s eyes on her, their intensity almost unnerving. She steadied herself and launched into her segment, her voice clear and confident.

She had practiced this moment countless times, refining her delivery until it was flawless. The room seemed to fade as she spoke, her focus solely on conveying her ideas with passion and precision.

When she finished, there was a brief silence before Mr. Carter leaned back in his chair, nodding slowly. “Impressive,” he said. “I like the way you’ve tied the emotional narrative to the data. It’s a strong strategy.”

Sophia exhaled quietly, relief washing over her. But before she could bask in the moment, Damian spoke.

“Miss Allen’s approach is solid,” he said, his voice smooth and calculated. “But it’s the execution that will determine its success. I’ll personally oversee this campaign to ensure it meets our standards.”

The team exchanged glances, surprised by Damian’s rare show of direct involvement. Sophia, however, felt a mix of emotions. His words were both a compliment and a challenge—a reminder that he wasn’t done testing her yet.

After the pitch, the team celebrated the client’s approval with coffee and chatter in the lounge. Sophia, however, stayed behind in the conference room, gathering her materials.

She was about to leave when Damian appeared in the doorway.

“You did well,” he said, his tone surprisingly neutral.

Sophia raised an eyebrow. “Was that a compliment, Mr. Westwood?”

His lips twitched, as if suppressing a smile. “Don’t let it go to your head.”

Sophia couldn’t help but smile slightly. “I’ll try to contain my excitement.”

Damian stepped closer, his expression shifting to something more serious. “This campaign is critical, not just for the company but for your career. Don’t let your guard down.”

Sophia met his gaze, her own softening. “Do you ever take your own advice?”

Damian blinked, caught off guard by her question. For a moment, he seemed at a loss for words, but then his mask slipped back into place.

“Focus on your work, Miss Allen,” he said coolly before turning and walking away.

Sophia watched him leave, her heart racing. She had seen it again—that brief, unguarded moment where his eyes betrayed something deeper.

That night, Sophia sat in her apartment, staring at her laptop but unable to concentrate. Damian Westwood was an enigma, and she couldn’t decide whether she wanted to solve him or avoid him altogether.

Meanwhile, Damian stood on the balcony of his penthouse, the city lights stretching out before him. He sipped his scotch, his thoughts returning, as they often did lately, to Sophia.

She was unlike anyone he had ever worked with—unrelenting, passionate, and unwilling to cower under his scrutiny. She challenged him in ways he hadn’t anticipated, and though it frustrated him, it also intrigued him.

But Damian knew better than to let his guard down. He had built walls around himself for a reason, and he wasn’t about to let anyone break through—not even Sophia Allen.

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