Bound by the Devil's Cure

Chapter 9 Suspicion

Damon sat behind his desk, the office dimly lit except for the faint glow of the city through the floor-to-ceiling windows. The atmosphere was heavy.

Alex stood across from him, tablet in hand, reviewing reports, but his attention kept drifting back to his boss. Damon wasn’t focused. That alone was unusual.

“She’s been with the company less than a month,” Alex said, finishing the summary. “Background checks show nothing abnormal. Scholarships through medical school, foster care history, limited financial records, no criminal flags.”

Damon leaned back slightly in his chair, fingers steeple under his chin. His expression remained unreadable.

“Yet,” Damon said slowly, “she solved a problem my senior researchers couldn’t fix for months.”

Alex shrugged lightly. “Some people are just brilliant.”

Damon’s gaze darkened. “It’s not just that.”

Alex waited. Damon rarely spoke about instincts unless they mattered.

“I know her,” Damon said quietly.

Alex frowned. “From where?”

“That’s the problem.” Damon’s jaw tightened. “I don’t remember. But the moment I saw her, it felt like something I lost a long time ago suddenly appeared in front of me.”

Alex studied him carefully. After a moment, Damon continued.

“She could be a spy,” Damon said. “An opposing organization. Someone is trying to get close to the company… or to me.”

Alex’s brows pulled together. “That’s a serious accusation based on a feeling.”

“I trust my instincts,” Damon replied coldly.

That part was true. His instincts had kept him alive in a world where hesitation meant death.

Alex nodded slowly. “I’ll dig deeper. Financial trails. Associations. Old contacts. If there’s anything hidden, I’ll find it.” He turned toward the door, tablet still in hand.

“My assistant just messaged — the General Secretary is waiting for confirmation on tonight’s shipment. I’ll handle that and—”

The office door opened. Both men looked up instantly. Chloe stood at the entrance.

A stack of files rested in her arms, pressed lightly against her chest. She clearly hadn’t expected to interrupt a private meeting — her eyes widened slightly when she saw Alex inside.

For a split second, nobody spoke. Then Chloe cleared her throat awkwardly. “I… I’m sorry,” she said. “Mr Parker asked me to deliver the updated formulation reports for executive review.”

Her voice was calm, professional, but Damon felt it again. That pull. Stronger than before.

Alex glanced between them, immediately sensing the strange tension in the air. His instincts were sharp too.

“I was just leaving,” Alex said smoothly, giving Damon a subtle look before stepping past Chloe and exiting the office.

The door closed. Now they were alone. Chloe walked forward, placing the files carefully on Damon’s desk.

Up close, the familiarity hit him harder. Her scent, her presence. Something inside his chest tightened unexpectedly.

“Your presentation was impressive,” Damon said finally, his tone controlled but lower than usual.

“Thank you, sir,” she replied politely.

She turned to leave. Then paused. Slowly, she looked back at him. There it was again. That searching expression.

“I’m sorry if this sounds strange,” Chloe said hesitantly, “but… have we met before?”

The question landed like a shockwave. Damon’s heartbeat shifted. "I wonder. But I don't think so."

He leaned closer to her, "You want to know what's in my mind?"

Chloe shivered, this closeness, its intimidating. She swallowed hard and shook her head.

"I believe you are a spy."

"What?!" Chloe exclaimed. This is the funniest accusation she's had in her entire life.

"Strip!" Damon commanded.

"What do you mean strip?" It just kept getting worse. Bad day.

"Just few moments ago," Damon continued, "I had this hint that you may be a spy, and surprisingly, you were just standing by my door."

"That's because I am running errands for my supervisor. Besides what has being a spy got to do with taking off any outfit from my body," Chloe boldly asked.

"You don't get to ask the questions dear," Damon stepped further. His body pushing Chloe to the wall until she was unable to escape him. "Now, strip!"

Chloe hesitates and nervously unbuttoned her blazer, to her shirt. Showing her smooth, clear skin and tempting t**s. Damon gestured towards her pants. She looked up at him in disbelief almost crying, but the CEO was unfazed. Eventually, she let go of her underwear, leaving Damon's eyes to wonder hungrily at her beautiful body.

"Mr Heights," she spoke, "I am damn good at what I do. But if you think by any second that I can be used as a s****l tool, then you must be mistaken."

Damon laughs, uncontrollably loud, "You think I want to f**k you? Funny how you think so highly of yourself. No woman is worthy enough to grease my bed."

"Then you must be gay," Chloe pointed out.

"What?" He scoffs. "Okay, well, we can find out about that. If I ever find you guilty of whatever suspicion I have about you, your life won't only be at edge. I would make sure to use this body of yours, in every way possible, fully active and ready at my beck and call. You will be more than a s*x tool. But if you are genuine, consider receiving 7% of the profits generated from this Helios M project. Now, put on your clothes, and leave my office."

Quickly, Chloe acted. She dressed properly in less than a minute and ran out of his office.

-

The Wilson residence glowed warmly under the evening lights, a picture of comfort and wealth.

Clara stepped inside slowly, her shoulders heavy, her expression drained. The housekeeper greeted her, but she barely responded, walking straight toward the living room where Mrs Wilson sat reviewing documents on her tablet.

Her mother looked up immediately. “Clara? What’s wrong?”

That was all it took. Clara’s composure cracked. She sat beside her mother, eyes glistening with restrained tears. “Mom… I don’t know what to do anymore.”

Mrs Wilson’s expression softened. “Talk to me.”

Clara hesitated only briefly before confessing.

“I’ve loved Richard for years,” she said quietly. “Since we were teenagers. I just… I never said anything because he chose Chloe. And now he’s back, and I thought… maybe this time…” Her voice trembled. “But he wants her again. He still wants Chloe.”

Mrs Wilson’s face hardened slightly at the mention of Chloe’s name.

“Richard Carter is not someone you give up on over a childhood attachment,” she said firmly. “He’s powerful, wealthy, and his family is politically connected. A marriage into the Carter family would secure your future completely.”

Clara wiped her tears. “But what if he refuses? What if he keeps chasing Chloe?”

Mrs Wilson reached over, taking Clara’s hand reassuringly.

“Leave that to me,” she said calmly. “The Carters respect status, alliances, and influence. Feelings are secondary in families like theirs. If we approach them properly, they will see you as the better match.”

Hope flickered in Clara’s eyes. “You think so?”

“I know so,” Mrs Wilson replied with quiet confidence. “I’ll arrange a meeting with Mrs Carter. If both families agree, a marriage alliance can be discussed.”

Clara’s heartbeat quickened. Marriage to Richard. The idea filled her with both excitement and guilt — but the excitement was stronger. For the first time since his return, she allowed herself to believe he could become hers. But somewhere deep inside her heart, she knew Richard might never love her, the way he loved Chloe.