Chapter 3 First Clash

Elena moved through the penthouse with steady hands, dusting the untouched shelves and wiping down the already-immaculate glass tables. Rich men like Damien Sinclair didn't live in mess-they lived in control. Every inch of this place screamed power, precision, and emptiness.

But she wasn't here to admire his wealth.

She was here to destroy him.

She had just finished straightening a stack of books in his study when she heard footsteps. Heavy. Purposeful. His.

Her pulse spiked as she turned to find Damien Sinclair leaning against the doorframe, watching her with an unreadable expression.

"Are you always this slow?" he asked lazily.

Elena straightened. "Excuse me?"

His gaze flicked to the bookshelf. "You've been here for nearly an hour, and all you've done is rearrange things that didn't need rearranging."

She swallowed the sharp retort burning on her tongue. He wanted to get under her skin.

"I prefer to be thorough," she said evenly.

His lips twitched, almost like he was amused. "Thorough? You're a maid, not an interior designer. Stick to cleaning."

Elena forced a tight-lipped smile. "Of course, Mr. Sinclair."

She turned away, focusing on the desk. A few pens were scattered across its sleek surface. She reached for them, intent on organizing, when-

"Don't touch that."

His voice was sharp, cutting through the air like a blade.

Elena froze.

Damien was suddenly behind her, his presence looming, dark and suffocating. His hand shot out, grabbing the pen before she could.

For a moment, silence crackled between them.

Then, in a voice far too controlled, he said, "You will not touch anything on my desk. Understood?"

Elena forced herself to exhale. He's hiding something.

"Understood," she murmured, stepping away.

Damien studied her for a beat longer, then scoffed lightly, turning on his heel. "Good. Don't make me repeat myself."

He walked out, leaving Elena gripping the edge of the desk.

Her mind raced. What the hell was he hiding?

If she wanted to take him down, that desk was where she needed to start.

And she would.

Soon.