Don't Escape, My Contract Bride

Chapter 7 A Slap in the Face

"Fiancée? So you're saying she's your..."

The manager's eyes widened as he turned to look at Raine.

Before he could finish, Vivian cut in with a sharp laugh. "Wow, Raine. How much did you spend to hire this guy to pretend?" she sneered, strolling over to Damien.

Vivian circled the couch, letting her gaze linger on him as if he were an exhibit.

"Fake or not, I have to admit. You've got good taste. He's gorgeous," she said with a sly grin.

Damien let out a low chuckle, his tone unreadable. "Miss, it's hard to tell if you're complimenting me or insulting me."

Vivian leaned closer, casually resting her hands on the back of the couch. Her head tilted until she was just shy of Damien's shoulder, her voice dropping to a conspiratorial whisper. "Of course, it's a compliment, handsome," she purred, her eyes fixed on his profile.

Then, turning back to Raine, she smirked. "So, Raine, how much did he cost you? Name your price. I'll pay double."

Damien raised an eyebrow and glanced at Raine, clearly curious about her response.

Raine, however, simply shrugged and smiled. "If he's willing, be my guest."

Damien's expression darkened instantly.

"Ha!" Vivian scoffed, straightening up and pointing a finger at Raine. "And you still want me to believe he's not just some guy you hired? As if the Damien Voss would let himself be humiliated like this."

"Oh?" Damien's voice cut through. "And what do you think I should be like?"

Vivian smirked, her tone dripping with derision. "I've never met Mr. Voss, but I know one thing for certain: Raine, even if you used up every ounce of luck you've got, there's no way you'd ever cross paths with a man like him."

Raine shrugged again, her smile unbothered. "Think whatever you want. As long as he can pay for the damages here, that's all that matters to me."

"Is that so?" Vivian said, her voice turning sweetly venomous. "Oh, and by the way, didn't you have a loving boyfriend, Raine? What happened to him? Did you dump him the moment you found someone richer? My, what a heartless woman you are."

She turned to Damien, her voice mockingly sympathetic. "You'd better be careful, sir. She might do the same to you."

Raine's fists clenched at her sides.

'This damned woman! Why bring that up now?'

Her eyes flicked nervously to Damien, only to find him watching her intently. She quickly looked away, her heart pounding.

"Is that so?" Damien said coolly, his tone impossible to read. "Thanks for the warning."

"Well, I don't have time to waste here," Vivian said, clearly pleased with herself. "Enjoy your little charade, Raine."

"Wait." Damien's voice stopped her mid-step. "In exchange for your advice, may I know your name and who you are?"

Vivian turned back, her pride practically glowing. "Vivian Locke," she said with a self-satisfied smile.

Damien offered a faint smile in return. "Ah, a Locke. I'll remember that."

Vivian cast one last smug glance at Raine before strutting out, completely unaware she had just sealed her family's downfall.

The moment she left, Damien's expression turned ice-cold.

He shifted his gaze to the manager and the saleswoman, his tone sharp and commanding.

"Contact the management of this street," he said. "From this moment on, this brand will no longer have a presence in any of my properties. Clear out this store immediately."

The manager's face went pale. Realizing who Damien truly was, he scrambled over and bowed deeply.

"Mr. Voss! I-I'm so sorry! I had no idea. I was blind to who you were! Please, give me another chance!"

Damien didn't spare him another glance, turning his attention to the saleswoman instead.

"As for you..."

The saleswoman's face crumpled in panic. She clasped her hands together, pleading. "Sir, please! I'm so sorry! I didn't mean to offend you. Please don't fire me. I need this job!"

Damien's voice was cold and unyielding. "Your apology is misplaced. I'm not the one you wronged."

The saleswoman quickly turned to Raine, nearly collapsing as she begged.

"Miss, I'm so sorry! I was blind, truly! Please forgive me! If it makes you feel better, you can slap me!"

Raine looked at her, frowning slightly.

'This is just... sad.'

She opened her mouth to say something, but before she could, a firm hand caught her wrist.

Damien had stepped in, his gaze fixed on her. "Don't waste your kindness," he said, his tone leaving no room for argument.

He turned back to the saleswoman, his voice steely. "Leave. Now. I don't ever want to see you again."