AT THE STEELE'S MANSION
Eleanor's POV
The clock ticked softly in the background as I sat in my study, reviewing the documents Cassandra had prepared, a marriage contract.She sat across from me, moving her pen nervously. The papers in front of us were the key to everything we had worked for...the final piece of the puzzle to seize control.
"Relax," I said with a sly smile. "You're acting like Damien's going to barge in here any second."
The words had barely left my lips when the door slammed open.
Damien stormed in, his face like thunder, and Cassandra shivered , dropping her pen. I stood up abruptly, my heart racing for a moment before I masked my surprise.
"Damien! What's wrong?" I said, rushing toward him.
He didn't respond immediately, his chest heaving as he tried to calm himself. Then he muttered through gritted teeth, "You were right about her. Sophia Reeds… that little viper."
I froze, then carefully tilted my head. "What are you talking about?"
He threw a USB onto the desk. "A tape. I saw a tape of her talking to a journalist, Eleanor. She's the one feeding the press everything..every single detail about my business! And now she's parading around as some PR strategist to fix the mess she caused."
" What...that little witch" I yelled and Damien didn't move .
I moved closer to him,i placed a hand on his arm, feigning concern. "Oh, Damien, I warned you about her. But you wouldn't listen. She's a snake, and now she's sunk her fangs into you."
Damien clenched his fists, his jaw tightening. "I trusted her. I let her in, and this is how she repays me."
"Cassandra," I said, turning to her with a calm smile. "Be a dear and pour Damien a drink. He needs to calm down."
Cassandra hesitated but quickly grabbed a glass and poured whisky from the decanter. She handed it to Damien, her hands trembling slightly.
He snatched it and downed it in one go, slamming the glass on the table. His anger was palpable, his eyes burning with betrayal.
I leaned closer, my voice soothing yet laced with manipulation. "You've been under so much stress, Damien. It's no wonder you didn't see her for what she really is. But don't worry. I'll help you fix this. You just need to trust me."
He nodded weakly, his energy fading. I could see the effect of the substance Cassandra had added to his drink taking hold. His shoulders slumped, and his eyelids drooped. Oh yes she added a sleeping pill to the drink.
"She's been playing you, Damien," I said, sitting beside him. "But you're stronger than this. You won't let her win."
Damien nodded weakly, the fight in him fading as the drug in the drink took effect. His shoulders slumped, and his head tilted slightly.
"Damien?" I said softly, shaking him lightly.
He mumbled something incoherent, his eyes half-closed.
"Damien?" I called out again softly, watching as he stumbled back into the chair.
He tried to respond, but his words were slurred. Moments later, his head tilted to the side, and he was out cold, already asleep.
A wicked grin spread across my face as I turned to Cassandra. We exchanged a triumphant high-five.
"Bring the paperwork," I whispered.
Cassandra hurriedly grabbed the stack of documents from the desk and placed them in front of Damien. I shook his shoulder gently, waking him just enough to sign.
"Damien, darling," I said sweetly, placing a pen in his hand. "It's just a small formality. Sign here, and everything will be fine."
Barely conscious, he scrawled his signature across the papers before collapsing back into the chair.
"Perfect," I said, my voice dripping with satisfaction as I watched him slouch back to the chair
I called in two of my most trusted bouncers. "Take him to his room," I ordered. "And Cassandra, go with him. Make sure he's comfortable."
As they carried Damien away, I turned back to the study, ensuring everything looked normal.
Not a moment later, Amelia walked in, her bright eyes scanning the room. "Where's big bro Damien?" she asked, her voice filled with concern.
I smiled warmly, placing a hand on her shoulder. "Your brother is fine, sweetheart. He's just exhausted. He's resting now."
She frowned slightly but nodded. "Okay. Tell him I said goodnight."
"Of course, darling," I said, my voice as sweet as honey.
As Amelia left, I leaned against the desk, staring at the signed papers. Everything was falling into place.
"Checkmate," I whispered to myself.
IN THE MORNING
DAMIEN'S POV
I woke up to a dull ache in my head, like I had been hit with a brick. My vision was blurry, but something felt… wrong. The air smelled faintly of perfume, not mine.
I blinked a few times and turned my head. I pulled up the duvet a bit and I saw I was naked. Then I moved my head, that's when I saw her...a figure lying beside me under the duvet. My body tensed.
"What the hell?" I growled, throwing the duvet off me.
She stirred, then turned toward me with a sly smile. Cassandra. What is hell is casaanda doing in my room naked!
"Good morning, my love," she said softly, her voice syrupy sweet. "I really enjoyed last night."
My chest tightened, and anger surged through me. I stood up so fast the chair beside the bed tipped over. "What the fuck are you doing here?" I roared, my voice shaking the room.
Cassandra sat up slowly, the duvet slipping to reveal her bare shoulders. "Damien," she purred, tilting her head like she had done nothing wrong. "Don't act like you don't remember. You were… amazing."
I felt like the room was spinning. My fists clenched, and my jaw tightened. "Don't you dare play games with me!" I bellowed, pointing at her. "What kind of sick setup is this?"
Cassandra stood up, the duvet still wrapped around her, her expression calm, too calm. "Setup? Damien, don't be so dramatic," she said, smirking. "We shared something special. You can't deny it."
I slammed my fist into the bedside table, making her jump. "Special? Are you out of your damn mind? Get your clothes and get the hell out of my room!"
She didn't move, her smirk fading slightly. "You can yell all you want," she said softly, but her tone was mocking. "But we both know what happened here. I didn't force you."
I stepped closer, my eyes blazing. "Don't push me, Cassandra," I growled. "I don't know what Eleanor or you drugged me with, but I swear to God, I'll make you regret it."
Cassandra wrapped the duvet tighter around her, her calm demeanor starting to crack. "Drugged you?" she repeated, feigning innocence. "Damien, you wanted this. You wanted me."
I laughed bitterly, the sound harsh. "You're delusional. The only thing I want is for you to get out before I throw you out myself."
Her eyes narrowed, and she stepped closer. "You can't just pretend this didn't happen," she hissed. "After last night, things have changed. Whether you like it or not, we're tied now."
I grabbed her arm, my grip firm but controlled. "Get. Out. Now," I said through gritted teeth.
Cassandra yanked her arm free and started gathering her clothes. "You'll regret this, Damien," she muttered as she headed for the door.
I followed her, slamming the door shut behind her as soon as she stepped out. My chest was heaving, my hands trembling with rage.
What the hell had they done to me?