He had thought Damian was just on a casual date, but this was a formal declaration.
The powerful Damian Blackwell had a girlfriend?
Elena lowered her head, her cheeks still warm with embarrassment. Though their relationship was brand new, she didn't correct Damian.
Her phone buzzed at that moment, and she saw it was a call from Sophia Lane. Guilt prickled at her; she had left Sophia alone at the bar the previous night.
After ending the call, Elena spoke up, "I have to go. My friend's waiting for me. I left her at the bar last night. You must be busy this afternoon, so I won't keep you."
Damian's expression softened. "Let me drive you."
"No, it's okay," Elena declined politely. "I'll just take a taxi." She waved her phone. "We can keep in touch."
They had already exchanged phone numbers.
"Alright," Damian relented, though his tone hinted at reluctance.
Elena hailed a cab and left.
The moment she disappeared from sight, Victor finally snapped out of his shock.
"I remember now!" Victor exclaimed. "Isn't Elena Cross the same woman from the Cross family—the one whose engagement was broken off with you? Is that really her?"
Damian's lips curled into a sly smile. "That's her."
Victor Hale was stunned. "Boss, why are you dating this woman right after calling off your engagement?"
Damian Blackwell curled his lips into a faint smile. "She said the heir of the Blackwell family was supposedly disfigured, crippled, and wouldn't live long, so she vowed never to marry me."
Victor's eyes widened. "You're the one who spread those rumors yourself!" he reminded sharply. "Boss, don't forget that there are still rumors about your three 'dead' wives. People say they were tortured to death by you. That's why Old Master Blackwell insisted on arranging your marriage to a Cross family daughter."
Damian's tone was careless. "I forgot about that." His gaze softened as he looked in the direction Elena had just left, a rare trace of tenderness in his eyes. "But nothing forced is ever agreeable. I'll win my wife over by myself."
Victor was dumbfounded. "Boss, are you saying you're actively pursuing Miss Cross now? Isn't that unnecessary? Doesn't she already know who you are?"
Damian shrugged. "Maybe unnecessary, but I find it quite interesting." His eyes gleamed with intrigue. "You wouldn't understand, Victor. You've never been in love."
Victor was speechless.
Who was the one who had been single for years?
And now, after barely two days of dating, his boss was acting like he was an expert on love.
Still, love was indeed powerful—especially when a man of Damian Blackwell's status was struck by it.
Victor frowned thoughtfully. "Boss, calling off the engagement wasn't part of the plan. If those people find out you're seeing Miss Cross again, things might get messy."
Damian's expression darkened. "I can handle it."
Victor's brows furrowed. "Are you serious? If they come after Miss Cross…"
"If anyone dares hurt her," Damian's voice turned icy, "I'll destroy them."
Victor was taken aback by the threat laced in his boss's tone.
Damian Blackwell never showed weakness.
And yet, here he was, fiercely protective over Elena Cross.
Victor was both shocked and pleased for his boss.
For so many years, there had only been one woman who had managed to capture Damian's heart.
Now, seeing him fall for someone else was unexpected but perhaps not a bad thing.
Victor sighed and suddenly recalled something. "Boss, did Miss Cross say you were going to work this afternoon?"
"Yeah." Damian twirled his car keys with a smirk. "I'm a taxi driver now. Gotta make money to give my wife a better life."
Victor nearly choked at the statement. His boss sounded both affectionate and proud of his unconventional 'job.'
Damian walked confidently to a modest car parked by the roadside.
Victor blinked in disbelief.
To win over a woman, his boss was willing to humble himself to this extent?
Even the Blackwell household's servants drove cars worth more than six figures.
And now his boss was driving this economy vehicle just to impress a woman?
Damian opened the car door and added calmly, "Watch your mouth in front of her from now on."
Victor sighed in defeat. "Got it, boss. I'll be careful."
After getting into the car, Damian pulled out his phone and changed Elena's contact name to "Little Wildcat."
Then he sent a message to Claire Hayes, his personal secretary, instructing her to deposit $15,000 into his personal account each month.
Claire, sitting at her desk at Blackwell Enterprises, was momentarily confused when she saw the message.
$15,000?
Did the boss forget a zero?
Surely he meant $150,000.
She immediately replied, "Yes, boss."
Elena Cross and Sophia Lane met at a cozy café downtown.
As soon as they spotted each other, Sophia said worriedly, "Elena, why did you leave last night? You didn't even answer my calls. I was so anxious."
Elena offered a sheepish smile. "Sophia, I'm so sorry. I had too much to drink. I took a taxi back alone. Please don't be mad at me. Let me get your drink—it's on me."
Sophia frowned but then sighed in relief. "As long as you're safe. But seriously, don't waste your money on me. Keep your hard-earned salary."
"I insist," Elena smiled, feeling guilty.
She didn't dare tell Sophia that she'd left with a man—Damian Blackwell.
Sophia leaned forward, her expression softening. "Are you going back to the Cross estate?"
Elena shook her head. "Absolutely not."
Sophia nodded knowingly. "Good. You deserve peace."
Elena appreciated Sophia's concern. She had already moved out of her family's mansion and was renting a modest apartment. If not for the arranged marriage fiasco orchestrated by her stepmother, she'd never have returned in the first place.