HIS LAST ASSISTANT

CHAPTER EIGHT

CHAPTER EIGHT

Natalie couldn't breathe. The envelope sat between them like a bomb waiting to explode. Around them, employees had slowly returned to their routines, but the atmosphere in the lobby remained tense.

Everyone knew something had happened, everyone had seen Richard Halston walk into Damien Cole Enterprises, and everyone had seen Damien refuse to back down.

Natalie's stomach twisted. "Don't."

The word left her mouth before she could stop it.

Damien looked at her.

"Don't open it."

His expression remained unreadable. "Why?"

Natalie looked away first because she didn't know how to explain the fear crawling through her chest.

Richard never attacked directly, he planted doubts, questions, and half-truths. He made people wonder, and wondering was often more dangerous than proof.

"Because that's exactly what he wants."

Damien studied her for a moment.

Then, to her surprise, he slipped the envelope into his briefcase without opening it.

Natalie blinked. "You aren't curious?"

"Of course I am."

"Then why—"

"Because you're more concerned about it than I am."

The answer caught her off guard. For a second, she didn't know what to say.

Damien adjusted his jacket. "We're leaving."

•

•

Thirty minutes later, Natalie sat across from Jasmine Carter in a small café two blocks away from the office.

The moment Jasmine saw her face, she knew something was wrong. "What happened?"

Natalie groaned. "A lot."

Jasmine pushed a cup of coffee toward her.

"Start talking."

Natalie told her everything. The board meeting, Richard's appearance, the envelope, the warning.

By the time she finished, Jasmine looked ready to commit several crimes.

"I hate him."

Natalie laughed. "Join the club."

"No, seriously."

Jasmine leaned forward. "I've been looking into him."

Natalie's smile faded. "What do you mean?"

Jasmine glanced around before lowering her voice.

"I found something."

That got Natalie's attention. "What?"

Jasmine opened her phone.

Several documents filled the screen. Names, dates, employment histories.

Natalie frowned. "What am I looking at?"

"Former employees."

A chill ran through her.

Female employees. Most of them worked directly under Richard at some point, several had resigned suddenly, others disappeared from the industry entirely. One had moved across the country, another had switched careers completely.

Natalie's stomach sank. "Oh my God."

"Exactly."

Jasmine's voice was tight.

"I don't have proof yet."

Yet.

"But I think you're not the first."

Natalie stared at the names. They were women she'd never met. Women she suddenly understood perfectly. For months she'd felt isolated and alone, like she was the only person Richard had targeted.

Now she wasn't so sure.

"What are you going to do?"

Jasmine's eyes sparkled dangerously. "Dig deeper."

Natalie immediately shook her head.

"No."

"Yes."

"No."

"Nat, he ruined your life."

"And I don't want him ruining yours too."

The seriousness in her voice finally made Jasmine pause.

Neither spoke for a moment, then Jasmine reached across the table and squeezed her hand. "We'll be careful."

Natalie's chest tightened unexpectedly, she hadn't realized how badly she needed someone on her side.

•

•

Back at Damien Cole Enterprises, the day somehow became worse.

Natalie stepped off the elevator and nearly collided with Samantha. "Good."

Samantha looked relieved. "You're here."

Natalie frowned. "Shouldn't I be?"

"Depends."

"On what?"

Samantha handed her a tablet. "Your afternoon schedule."

Natalie looked down, her eyes widened immediately. "What is this?"

"A charity fundraiser."

"Tonight?"

"Yes."

Natalie stared at her. "No."

Samantha looked unimpressed. "That's not how schedules work."

"I'm not going."

"You are."

Natalie groaned.

After everything that happened today, the last thing she wanted was a room full of wealthy strangers staring at her.

Samantha clearly understood, unfortunately, she didn't care. "Mr. Cole specifically requested your attendance."

Natalie froze. "What?"

Samantha nodded.

"Apparently, he wants you there."

That made absolutely no sense.

Why?

The question followed her for the rest of the afternoon.

•

•

By seven o'clock that evening, Natalie regretted every decision she'd ever made.

The fundraiser occupied the top floor of one of Manhattan's most luxurious hotels. Everything sparkled. The chandeliers, the jewelry.

Natalie stood near the ballroom entrance trying not to panic. This was exactly the kind of environment where she didn't belong.

Rich families, old money, social elites, people who could destroy lives with a phone call. People exactly like Richard.

A familiar voice interrupted her thoughts. "You look terrified."

Natalie turned.

Damien stood beside her in a dark suit, perfect posture, and looking dangerously handsome.

"I'm considering escaping."

"Don't."

"Helpful."

For the briefest moment, amusement flickered in his eyes.

Then someone approached. A man, tall, well dressed, effortlessly confident, and smiling. Actually smiling, not the fake corporate kind.

"Damien."

The man extended a hand.

Damien shook it. "Marcus."

Marcus.

Natalie immediately recognized the name. Marcus Vale.

He was one of New York's most eligible bachelors. He was old-money wealthy, and investor, philanthropist, and apparently Damien's acquaintance.

Marcus turned toward her. His smile widened slightly.

"And who is this?"

Before Damien could answer, Natalie offered her hand. "Natalie Brooks."

Marcus shook it.

Unlike most people lately, his expression didn't change when he heard her name. No judgment, no curiosity, just warmth.

"It's nice to meet you."

Natalie blinked.

That was new.

"You too."

Marcus smiled. "Damien rarely brings interesting people to events."

Natalie laughed before she could stop herself.

Marcus noticed. "So she does smile."

Damien looked distinctly unimpressed. "Careful."

Marcus grinned. "Jealous?"

Natalie nearly choked.

Marcus looked delighted. "Oh, this is going to be fun."

Before Natalie could ask what that meant, Marcus leaned closer and lowered his voice. "Fair warning."

"What?"

He nodded toward the ballroom. "Half the women in there want Damien."

Natalie frowned. "Okay?"

Marcus smiled. "The other half are about to hate you."

And somehow, deep down...

Natalie had a feeling he was right.