Chapter 2 Something You'll Never Recover From

Inside the hotel suite, Eric Ward blinked awake, his sharp eyes instantly finding Danna. That focus alone made the air grow tense.

"Mr. Ward..." Danna stiffened on instinct, her nerves jumping to attention.

Everyone knew Eric's power reached far beyond boardrooms. He could make people flinch with a single look, and she was no exception.

"Was it you last night?" His question was direct, every syllable laced with suspicion.

Eric's stare pinned Danna in place, so intense it sent a chill through her. Despite the fear, something deeper inside her pushed back, making her lift her chin and meet his gaze.

She forced herself to nod, her voice barely more than a whisper. "Yes. Last night... it was me."

Later that day, in the executive office of Ward Group, Eric sat behind his desk, tapping out a rhythm with his fingers. He didn't bother looking up as he spoke. "Did you get everything sorted out?"

Danny Harrison, his assistant, handed over a thick file. "Yes, sir, everything's here. The investigation shows it was a setup. Every other woman who tried to see you last night was turned away. Security footage confirms-the only person who got near your room was Danna Miller."

Eric's brow drew together, the smallest flicker of doubt crossing his face. "There's no mistake? It was only her?"

His memory tugged at a single detail-a faint hint of jasmine clinging to the air the night before, nothing like the heavy, artificial perfume Danna wore that morning.

Danny placed a small disk on the desk and gave a firm nod. "I reviewed the hotel's security feed this morning. Only Miss Miller appears in the footage."

Before Eric could respond, his phone buzzed to life. The word "Grandma" flashed across the screen, and he frowned slightly.

His grandmother said, "Eric, I heard what happened last night. Since the deed is done, you need to step up and take responsibility. You're not getting any younger; it's time for you to settle down. Bring her by to see me soon, will you?"

Eric pressed his fingers to his temples and let out a quiet sigh. "Alright, Grandma."

Then he hung up and sighed.

For years, his grandmother had fussed over his love life, determined to see him settled. However, he couldn't get that faint trace of jasmine out of his mind.

After a stretch of silence, he finally spoke. "Buy some gifts for Miss Miller and drive her home."

...

Back at the Miller estate, Danna stared at the mountain of elegant boxes piled high in the foyer, barely containing her excitement.

Gleaming jewelry and the newest dresses of the season were spread out before her, but the item that made her pulse race was a velvet box, placed in her palm by the Ward family butler.

"Miss Miller, this ring is from Mrs. Ward. She'd like you to visit her soon with her grandson," the butler remarked with a respectful bow.

Doing her best to mask her delight, Danna accepted the ring with a practiced smile. "Please give her my thanks."

No sooner had the Ward family's convoy disappeared down the drive than Danna rushed to call her mother, Marissa Miller, eager to spill every detail of her triumph.

"Mom, did you see all these gifts? They're straight from the Ward family!" Danna couldn't keep the excitement from bubbling into her voice.

On the video screen, Marissa's eyes sparkled with satisfaction. "Just look at the craftsmanship on that ring. It's definitely not ordinary. Clearly, Vickie Ward has accepted you as her future granddaughter-in-law!"

Even with so much joy lighting her face, a flicker of worry crept into Danna's expression. "But... what if Kiera finds out what we did to her?"

"What are you worried about?" Marissa's smile faded, her tone sharpening with old resentment. "At this point, what can Kiera do? If people know she's lost her virginity, she's the one who'll be thrown out by the Miller family."

She paused, her voice turning sly. "If we hadn't made Eric believe he took your virginity, the Wards never would've accepted you. This was exactly the break we needed."

"Mom, you always know what to do," Danna said, grinning ear to ear.

"But you need to keep Kiera calm until the wedding is over. Just play nice for now. There's still more at stake." Marissa's voice was crisp, issuing the next command.

Despite her reluctance, Danna nodded and made the call.

"Hello, Danna." Kiera's voice came through the phone, cold as ice.

Danna's pulse jumped at the icy edge in Kiera's voice. Masking her nerves, she softened her tone, slipping into the role of the concerned sister. "Kiera, where did you disappear to last night? I waited for you in the room for hours, but it turns out I sent you the wrong number. I only realized it this morning-I'm so sorry!"

She sounded every bit the caring sibling, her voice filled with false concern about Kiera's whereabouts the previous night.

Inside, Kiera could only scoff. Between the so-called mix-up and the name Oliver uttered while he was pleasuring himself, it was impossible to believe Danna was just the innocent girl she used to know.

Deciding to play along, Kiera kept her tone even. "The key card wouldn't work, so I just went home. No need to worry. The wedding will go on as scheduled."

"That's a relief! I'd hate to mess up my role as bridesmaid. I'll go get ready now," Danna quickly responded.

As soon as the call ended, Danna's pleasant mask fell away, replaced by a chilling, secretive smile.

"Kiera..." She twisted the ruby ring on her finger, eyes glittering with a cold, scheming light. "Just wait. I'll make sure this wedding is something you'll never recover from."