Chapter 9:The leak and the lock down
849 Words
*Executive huddle*
The boardroom had barely emptied when Rachelle’s phone buzzed.
A news alert flashed on the wall screen:
“VANCE CORP INTERNAL DOCUMENT LEAKED — WIFE OF CEO INVOLVED IN SUSPICIOUS TRANSACTION?”
The headline photo was Eliana.
Signing a document. Her signature. Clear as day. The date: three days ago.
Eliana’s stomach dropped. “That’s… that’s the supplier contract I reviewed for you. I didn’t sign anything. I only made notes.”
Damien’s jaw clenched. “Someone forged it.”
Rachelle stepped forward, voice careful. “The document shows a ₦200 million payment to a shell company registered under your maiden name, Eliana Okoro. If this goes public, it looks like embezzlement.”
Sophia smiled, too perfectly. “Oh dear. The board will see this as a conflict of interest. A liability.”
The chairman re-entered, face grim. “Mr. Vance. The board is reconvening in one hour. If you cannot vouch for your wife’s integrity, we will suspend her from all company affairs and launch an internal audit.”
Damien turned to Eliana, eyes sharp, unreadable. “Explain.”
“I didn’t do it, Damien,” Eliana said, voice trembling but steady. “I don’t even know that company. Someone used my name.”
The silence was brutal. He didn’t believe her yet. Not fully.
Sophia crossed her arms. “And if you can’t prove it in one hour?”
“Then I lose the board,” Damien replied, voice ice. “And she loses everything.”
Eliana met his gaze. Her hands were shaking, but her eyes weren’t.
“Damien… trust me. Or I’m finished.”
He held her stare for a long moment. Then he nodded once.
“Then let’s find out who set you up. Before they destroy both of us.”
---
#### One hour later. Locked office. No board. Just them.
Damien pulled her into his private office and locked the door behind them with a soft click. The room smelled like his cologne and expensive leather. No interruptions. No cameras. No Sophia.
“You think I don’t know what this looks like?” Damien said, voice low, dangerous. He stepped closer until there was barely an inch between them. “You show up in my life, my father dies, and now there’s a forged contract in your name.”
Eliana didn’t back down. She tilted her chin up, refusing to let him see her fear. “And you think I’d risk everything just to ruin you?”
He gripped her chin gently, forcing her to look up at him. His thumb brushed her lower lip, lingering a second too long. The touch sent a shiver down her spine.
“I don’t know what to think anymore, Eliana. But I do know this…”
His voice dropped to a whisper, rough and intimate.
“When you stood up to my board, I felt something I haven’t felt in years. Pride. Want. Need.”
Eliana’s breath hitched. “Damien—”
“Don’t,” he cut her off, eyes darkening. “Not yet.” His forehead rested against hers, warm and steady. “If you lied to me, I’ll never forgive you. But if you didn’t…”
He pulled back just enough to lock eyes with her. The air between them was thick, charged, impossible to ignore.
“Then I’m going to protect you. The way a husband should.”
Eliana swallowed hard, her heart betraying her with a traitorous flutter. “Then prove it. Stand with me. In front of that board. And tell them you trust me.”
Damien’s lips curved into a dangerous, slow smile. He reached for her hand and pressed a lingering kiss to her knuckles, his gaze never leaving hers.
“Oh, I will. But first…”
He leaned in, just close enough that she could feel his breath against her ear.
“First, you and I are going to figure out who’s playing us. Together.”
Rachelle's voice crackled over the intercom, breaking the moment. “Mr. Vance? The board is waiting.”
Damien didn’t let go of Eliana’s hand. His grip tightened, possessive.
“Let them wait.”
Eliana tried to pull away, cheeks flushed. “Damien, we can’t—”
“We can,” he murmured, smirking. “And we will. But not until I know you’re safe.” He brushed a stray strand of hair behind her ear, his touch featherlight. “And not until you admit you felt that too.”
Eliana rolled her eyes, trying to hide her smile. “You’re impossible.”
“So are you.” He winked, then finally released her hand and walked toward the door. “Now come on, Mrs. Vance. Time to show them what we’re made of.”
---
**Fun bit:** As they walked out, Rachelle raised an eyebrow at Eliana’s slightly messy hair and Damien’s loosened tie.
“Long meeting?” she asked innocently.
Damien just grinned. “The most productive one yet.”
I'm so sorry if you don't seem to understand the contract signed but you will soon enough
- Writer
