chapter 4 The Game Begins

Elena didn’t trust Damian Westwood.

She didn’t trust the way he smirked when things got complicated. She didn’t trust how easily he could manipulate people into revealing their secrets. And she definitely didn’t trust the way her pulse reacted when his hand had lingered in hers just a second too long.

But right now, she didn’t have to trust him. She just had to work with him.

And that was its own kind of nightmare.

---

A Midnight Meeting

Elena’s office was dimly lit, the soft glow of her desk lamp casting long shadows on the walls. She and Damian sat across from each other, a file spread open between them.

“So,” Damian mused, stretching back in his chair, “Victoria Sterling is our prime suspect. The question is—how do we prove it?”

Elena rubbed her temples. “We need something concrete. An email, a paper trail, anything that links her to the whistleblower.”

Damian grinned. “Good thing I’m great at getting people to talk.”

She shot him a look. “If you think you can just charm your way into evidence—”

“Sinclair.” His voice was smooth, confident. “Everything is a game. You just have to know which pieces to move.”

She exhaled sharply. “Fine. What’s your plan?”

He leaned forward, elbows on the table. “Victoria’s hosting a gala tomorrow night. A very exclusive one.”

Elena frowned. “And let me guess—you have an invitation?”

Damian smirked. “Of course I do.”

“Of course you do,” she muttered.

He continued, unfazed. “We go together. You distract her, I snoop around. If she’s behind this, there’ll be something at her office or in her personal files. People like Victoria always keep records.”

Elena crossed her arms. “And what makes you think I want to go to a gala with you?”

Damian chuckled. “Because you want to win.”

She hated that he was right.

---

The Gala

The next evening, Elena found herself stepping out of a black car in front of one of the most exclusive venues in the city.

She hadn’t expected Damian to look different outside of court, but when she saw him in a tailored black tuxedo, something about him seemed… dangerous in a different way. Less like a rival and more like a temptation.

Which was ridiculous.

He smirked as she walked up to him. “You clean up well, Sinclair.”

She rolled her eyes. “Try not to sound so surprised.”

Together, they entered the gala, slipping seamlessly into the crowd. The room was a glittering display of wealth and power, filled with the city’s most influential figures. And at the center of it all—Victoria Sterling.

Elena felt Damian brush against her shoulder as he leaned in. “Time to play our parts.”

She turned to face him, tilting her chin up. “Just don’t mess this up, Westwood.”

His eyes gleamed with amusement. “You love working with me. Admit it.”

She stepped away before she could say something she’d regret.

It was time to work.

---

A Dangerous Distraction

Elena approached Victoria Sterling with a smile that masked her contempt.

“Ms. Sterling,” she said smoothly. “A pleasure.”

Victoria turned, eyes sharp. “Elena Sinclair. I must say, I’m surprised to see you here.”

Elena took a glass of champagne from a passing waiter, playing it cool. “Well, you know me—I like to keep an eye on my competition.”

Victoria smiled, but it didn’t reach her eyes. “Smart girl.”

As Elena engaged her in conversation, keeping her distracted, she caught glimpses of Damian slipping away toward the restricted areas of the venue.

Her pulse quickened.

This had to work.

---

A Close Call

Damian moved quickly.

He had done this before—charming his way into places he wasn’t supposed to be. It was all about confidence. Walk like you belong, and no one questions it.

He found Victoria’s private office on the second floor, slipping inside silently.

The room was pristine, with shelves lined with expensive books and a desk that screamed power.

He started searching. Drawers, files, anything that could connect her to the accusation against their firms.

Then—bingo.

A folder labeled Sinclair & Westwood sat in the locked drawer. And inside? Emails. Bank transfers. Proof that Victoria had been funding a private investigator to dig into their firms and leak damaging reports to the press.

Damian smirked. Gotcha.

Then—

The door clicked.

He turned just as Victoria Sterling walked in.

Her eyes darkened. “Well, well. I knew you were bold, Damian, but this is a new level.”

He slid the folder behind his back, flashing a charming grin. “Victoria. Fancy seeing you here.”

Her expression was ice-cold. “You just made a very dangerous mistake.”

---

***Download NovelToon to enjoy a better reading experience!***