HIS LAST ASSISTANT

CHAPTER NINE

CHAPTER NINE

Natalie hated being right.

The moment she stepped into the ballroom, she felt it. The looks, the whispers, the judgment.

Marcus hadn't been exaggerating. If anything, he had been kind.

The ballroom glittered with wealth and power. Crystal chandeliers hung from the ceiling like expensive stars. Waiters moved through the crowd carrying champagne. Men in tailored suits discussed investments while women in designer gowns smiled behind perfectly rehearsed masks.

And somehow, Natalie felt more alone than she had all day.

"Relax." Marcus appeared beside her carrying two glasses.

She accepted one gratefully. “You make it sound easy."

"It is easy."

Natalie gave him a look.

Marcus laughed.

"No, seriously. Nobody here is more important than you think they are."

She glanced around the room. "Billionaires, senators, CEOs..."

"Exactly."

His grin widened. "The most insecure people in New York."

Natalie couldn't help smiling.

Marcus had a way of making things feel lighter and easier.

Across the room, Damien was speaking with several investors. His expression remained calm and detached as always. Yet somehow, Natalie had the strange feeling he knew exactly where she was, even when he wasn't looking. The thought made her uncomfortable, she quickly focused on Marcus instead.

"So how long have you known Damien?"

Marcus groaned dramatically. "Too long."

That surprised her. "You're friends?"

"That's a generous description."

Natalie laughed.

Marcus lowered his voice. “Damien doesn't really do friends."

That sounded accurate.

"Then why are you here?"

"Because somebody has to remind him he's human."

Natalie smiled despite, she could actually imagine that.

Marcus glanced toward Damien. "He's been impossible lately."

Natalie's heart skipped unexpectedly.

"Why?"

Marcus looked at her, then smiled knowingly. Before he could answer, a woman approached.

She was beautiful, elegant, and immediately hostile.

Natalie recognized the type instantly. Her smile was too perfect, and her eyes were too sharp.

"Marcus."

The woman greeted him warmly, then her gaze shifted toward Natalie and suddenly, the warmth disappeared.

"Natalie Brooks."

Not a question, a statement.

Natalie's stomach tightened. “Hello."

The woman tilted her head slightly. "I've heard so much about you."

There it was.

Marcus sighed quietly.

The woman ignored him. “What exactly do you do for Damien Cole?"

The question sounded innocent but it wasn't and Natalie knew. In fact, they all knew.

Before Natalie could respond, another woman joined them, then another, like sharks smelling blood.

"I was wondering the same thing."

"So was I."

"It's certainly an interesting hiring decision."

Natalie kept her expression neutral. Every instinct told her to walk away, but she was tired of running.

One woman crossed her arms. "I suppose reputation isn't as important as it used to be."

The comment landed exactly as intended, the group laughed softly.

Natalie's chest tightened, she was facing humiliation again.

Marcus looked genuinely annoyed now. "Ladies."

The warning in his voice was clear. Unfortunately, nobody cared.

The first woman smiled sweetly. "We're only curious."

No, they weren't. They wanted a reaction, a scene, a weakness.

Natalie knew because she'd seen this before.

She straightened slightly, then smiled gracefully. "That's understandable."

The women looked surprised.

Natalie continued. "People usually become curious when they don't have all the facts."

One woman blinked, another frowned in displeasure.

Marcus looked impressed.

The first woman recovered quickly. "And what are the facts?"

Natalie held her gaze. "The fact that I'm employed because I'm qualified."

The smile never left her face.

"And the fact that gossip isn't evidence."

The silence became immediate.

Marcus almost laughed.

The woman's expression tightened.

For the first time, Natalie saw uncertainty flicker across her face. She felt good, because she was tired of being the only uncomfortable person in the room.

"Excuse me."

A deep voice interrupted.

The entire group turned. It was Damien.

Natalie's pulse jumped unexpectedly.

He looked composed as ever, yet something about his expression seemed colder than before.

His gaze swept over the women, then settled on Natalie.

"You were supposed to be with me."

The words caught her off guard. So did the way the women immediately stepped back.

As if they suddenly realized they had wandered somewhere dangerous.

Natalie frowned. “I was talking."

"I can see that."

His tone remained calm.

Marcus looked suspiciously entertained, but Damien ignored him.

One of the women laughed nervously. "We were just getting to know her."

Damien looked at her. The woman immediately stopped smiling, Natalie had never seen anything quite like it. He hadn't threatened anyone, hadn't raised his voice, hadn't even changed expression, yet the atmosphere shifted instantly.

She realized it was power, pure power, and everyone felt it, including her.

Damien turned back toward Natalie. "Come with me."

It didn't sound like a request, Natalie should have been annoyed, instead, relief flooded through her, which annoyed her even more.

As they walked away, Marcus fell into step beside them.

"You're terrifying, by the way."

Damien didn't look at him. "I know."

Marcus burst out laughing, Natalie almost did too.

For a brief moment, the tension eased, then Damien's phone rang.

He glanced at the screen and immediately stopped walking.

Natalie noticed.

"What is it?" Marcus asked.

Damien answered the call, his expression darkened with every passing second.

By the time the call ended, the amusement had completely disappeared.

"What happened?" Natalie asked.

Damien looked at her, then at Marcus.

Finally, he spoke. "Someone leaked confidential employee records."

Natalie's stomach dropped, a terrible feeling settled over her because she already knew whose records they were, and judging by Damien's expression…, so did he.