BOUND TO THE RUTHLESS CEO

003

CHAPTER 3

Let her in.

“Don’t stare,” Ivy whispered quickly, noticing Ana’s gaze.

Ana blinked, lowering her eyes slightly, but it was too late.

His eyes had already found her, just a glance like he was scanning the room, and she happened to be part of it.

But in that one second, Ana felt it, the weight of his gaze. Like being seen and dismissed at the same time. And then, he looked away, as if she didn’t matter. Ana’s breath caught slightly. Something about it unsettled her. Not because he looked at her but because of how quickly he chose not to.

“Who is he?” she asked quietly, even though she already had an idea.

Ivy followed her gaze, then smirked faintly. “That,” she said, “is the man you don’t cross.”

Ana frowned slightly. “He looks…”

“Dangerous?” Ivy finished.

Ana nodded. “Yes.”

“He is,” Ivy said simply.

Across the room, Damon moved through the crowd with ease, they made way instinctively, no one blocked his path or challenged him. And those who greeted him did so carefully, respectfully, cautiously, like they were aware of the line they should never cross.

He didn’t entertain unnecessary conversations, or smile for show, everything about him was controlled, and measured. He moved towards the VIP room, as his bodyguards trailed from behind, where he wouldn't be seen by anyone.

“People say he built everything from nothing,” Ivy continued, her voice lower. “And crushed anyone who stood in his way.”

Ana glanced at her. “Crushed?”

Ivy shrugged slightly. “Business, rivals, enemies… doesn’t matter. If you’re against him, you lose.”

Ana swallowed.

There was no exaggeration in Ivy’s tone, just fact.

“And his wife?” Ana asked, her voice softer.

Ivy smirked again. “She’s the only one who can stand beside him without being swallowed.”

As if on cue, movement near the VIP section caught Ana’s attention.

The CEO’s wife Bianca Sinclair had arrived, with her Bodyguards. She moved like a contrast to him, she was fluid and warm. But there was something else beneath her softness, something equally powerful. She was dressed in a sleek, elegant gown that shimmered under the lights, she moved with effortless aura. Her presence alone seemed to command attention. They watched as she moved through the crowd, people greeting her, others stepping aside. She moved to her VIP section, which was different from Damon's own.

“And who is she?” she whispered.

Ivy’s expression changed. “That,” she said quietly, “is the woman that controls anything, she is the wife of the CEO.

“What”

Ana watched, unable to look away, something about them felt intense, like two forces that didn’t cancel each other out, but amplified everything around them. For that brief moment, the noise of the club faded behind the weight of that silent exchange. She saw female strippers being taken to the same room the CEO’s wife walked in.

“Could it be…?” she murmured, unable to finish the words.

Ivy raised an eyebrow. “What?”

“Nothing,” Ana said quickly.

“I’m going to say hi,” Ivy suddenly said.

Ana blinked. “What?! No—”

But Ivy was already moving. “Wait for me!” Ana had no choice but to follow.

As they approached the VIP section, two large bouncers stepped forward immediately.

“Stop.”

Ivy frowned. “I’m here to see her.”

“Not on the list.”

“I don’t need to be on the list—”

“No entry.”

Ivy’s expression hardened. “Move.”

The tension snapped instantly, one of the bouncers placed a hand out, blocking her.

“I said no.”

And that was it, Ivy shoved his hand away. “Don’t touch me.”

The second bouncer stepped forward. “Back off.”

“Allow me,” Ivy shot back.

Ana’s eyes widened. “Ivy—!

But it escalated too fast, Ivy became angry and violent as she raised her voice. “Do you even know who I am?!” Ivy snapped.

“Doesn’t matter,” one of them replied coldly.

“Try me!”

“Let her in.”.The voice cut through everything. The voice was calm and came through from the VIP room. Everyone froze, immediately including Ana. The CEO’s wife stepped forward, her gaze resting on Ivy.

“Ivy?”

Ivy blinked, surprised. “You remember me?”

A small smile formed on Bianca 's lips. “Of course I do.”

The tension dissolved instantly. “Let her in,” she instructed the guards.

They stepped aside immediately. Ivy exhaled, then laughed slightly. “Still causing a scene, I see.”

Bianca smiled faintly. “Only when necessary.” Then her eyes moved carefully to Ana. “Who is she?” she asked.

Ivy turned, pulling Ana slightly forward. “This is Ana,” she said. “My best friend.”

Ana lowered her gaze slightly. “Good evening, ma.”

Bianca studied her, tickling her fingers, as she sat down on one of the couches and told them to sit also. And as if she was seeing something others couldn’t.

Ana’s eyes moved to the section where the strippers lay next to each other like waiting for their job to be completely done. Bianca's voice brought her back from her thoughts.

“And what do you do, Ana?” she asked softly.

Ana hesitated. “I… I’m looking for a job.”

Ivy quickly added, “She just moved to the city. She’s hardworking, kind.”

Bianca raised her hand gently. “I can see that.”

Ana blinked. “You can?”

Bianca smiled faintly. “Yes.” “Come see me tomorrow,” she said suddenly.

Ana’s heart skipped. “Ma?”

“My house,” she continued calmly. “I may have something for you.”

Ana’s breath caught, finally she's going to get a job, a real opportunity. Hope flickered instantly in her chest.

“Thank you, ma,” she said quickly.