Chapter 5 The First Crack

Elena kept her expression blank as Damien stormed past her, his mood dark and dangerous. Whatever had happened with Vivian had clearly pissed him off.

Good.

She filed away every detail-the way his grip tightened around his phone, the flicker of exhaustion beneath his anger. Even a man like Damien Sinclair had weak moments. And she would find them all.

But before she could slip away, his voice cut through the silence.

"Come here."

Her pulse skipped.

She turned slowly, keeping her posture neutral. "Sir?"

Damien stood near the bar, rolling the sleeves of his crisp white shirt up his forearms. The exposed ink on his wrist surprised her-a tattoo? It didn't fit the picture of the cold, untouchable CEO the world knew.

"Do I need to repeat myself?" he asked, eyes narrowing.

Elena swallowed down her irritation and stepped forward.

He studied her, arms crossed, gaze sharp. "How long have you worked for me?"

"Two days," she said smoothly.

"And yet, somehow, you already think you can stand there and eavesdrop on my personal conversations?"

Her stomach twisted, but she kept her face calm. So he had noticed.

"I wasn't eavesdropping, sir," she said softly. "I was cleaning."

His lips curved-not in amusement, but in warning.

"You should learn to be invisible, Elena," he murmured, his voice dropping to something dangerously smooth. "I don't keep staff who can't follow simple rules."

A challenge.

Heat crawled up her spine, but she lowered her gaze, playing the obedient role. For now.

"Understood," she murmured.

A long, heavy pause.

Then, just as she thought he might dismiss her, he stepped closer-too close.

"You look at me like you hate me," he said, voice quiet but razor-sharp.

Elena's breath caught. Shit.

She forced herself to meet his gaze, tilting her head slightly in practiced innocence. "I don't know what you mean, sir."

He studied her for another beat before letting out a low hum.

"Liar."

Her stomach flipped, but before she could respond, he turned away, dismissing her like she was nothing.

"Go," he said simply.

Elena didn't hesitate. She stepped back, heart pounding, and disappeared down the hall.

Damn him.

He had caught a crack in her disguise.

But if Damien Sinclair wanted to play games, he was about to learn something very important.

She wasn't a piece on his board.

She was the one moving the pieces.