Third Person POV
Valerie’s palms were slick with sweat, betraying the storm of anxiety that brewed within her. She could feel her heart pounding in her chest, its rhythm erratic and wild, matching the chaos in her mind. "I…I don’t know what you are talking about," she stammered, her voice barely above a whisper. Her gaze darted away, unable to bear the intensity of the man’s piercing eyes. She knew that if she met his gaze, the truth she so desperately wanted to hide would be laid bare.
"Valerie, please, do not lie to me," Damien's voice was low, and dangerously calm, yet it carried an underlying threat that sent a shiver down her spine. His usually composed demeanour was fraying at the edges, and she could sense the effort it took for him to keep his temper in check. "I am more experie
