The First Test
995 Words
Chapter 4: The First Test
Sophia barely had time to process the encounter with Raymond Hayes before Damian was pulling her into his office and shutting the door.
He turned to face her, his jaw clenched. “That was too easy.”
Sophia blinked. “What do you mean?”
“My father never accepts things at face value,” Damian said, pacing. “If he didn’t argue or question it outright, it means he’s planning something.”
A chill ran down her spine. “Like what?”
Damian exhaled sharply. “I don’t know. But he’s not going to sit back and let this happen without testing us.”
Sophia frowned. “Testing us how?”
Before Damian could answer, his phone buzzed. He checked the screen, then let out a low curse.
“What?” she asked, feeling her stomach tighten.
He looked at her, his expression unreadable. “We’ve been invited to dinner at my family’s estate this weekend.”
Sophia’s mouth went dry.
“This weekend?” she echoed. “As in, two days from now?”
Damian nodded. “My father doesn’t waste time.”
She exhaled. “Well… maybe it’s just a normal family dinner?”
His lips curved into something that wasn’t quite a smile. “You don’t know my father, Carter. Nothing is ever just a ‘normal’ anything with him.”
She swallowed hard. What had she gotten herself into?
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Scene Break: Preparing for War
Two days later, Sophia stood in front of her bedroom mirror, smoothing her dress nervously.
Damian had arranged for a stylist to bring over outfits, and though she had protested, she had to admit—the sleek, dark green gown was stunning. It hugged her curves modestly, the fabric flowing effortlessly. It was elegant, but not overly flashy.
She barely had time to process how she looked before Damian’s voice sounded from the hallway.
“It’s time.”
Taking a deep breath, she grabbed her purse and stepped out.
Damian stood near the door, adjusting his cufflinks. When he looked up and saw her, something flickered in his expression—something unreadable.
But it was gone before she could pinpoint it.
“Let’s go,” he said, voice neutral.
Sophia swallowed her nerves and followed him out.
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Scene Break: The Hayes Family Estate
The Hayes estate was massive.
The grand mansion loomed in front of them as they pulled up in the limousine, its towering pillars and immaculate gardens screaming old money and power.
Sophia’s grip tightened on her clutch as Damian led her inside. The moment they stepped through the grand double doors, the air felt charged with tension.
And then she saw them.
Raymond Hayes sat at the head of a long dining table, his posture regal, his expression unreadable.
To his right sat Eleanor Hayes, Damian’s mother—a woman with ice in her veins and diamonds around her neck. Her gaze swept over Sophia in a way that made her feel instantly insignificant.
And then there was Adrian. Damian’s younger brother.
Unlike Damian, Adrian had softer features, his smile easy—too easy. But the glint in his eyes was unmistakable. Trouble.
“Well, well,” Adrian drawled, setting down his wine glass. “So this is the woman who tamed the great Damian Hayes.”
Sophia stiffened. She didn’t like the way he was looking at her—like she was some kind of rare specimen.
Damian ignored him. “Father.” He gave a polite nod before pulling out a chair for Sophia.
She sat carefully, forcing a small smile. “Thank you for having me.”
Raymond’s lips barely moved. “We had to see the woman who convinced my son to do something he swore he’d never do.”
Sophia’s stomach twisted. They didn’t believe this engagement.
Eleanor took a sip of her wine. “Tell us, dear. How did you and Damian meet?”
Sophia hesitated, but Damian answered smoothly. “She was my secretary.”
Eleanor’s brow arched. “Oh? And what made you fall for her?”
Sophia’s throat went dry. They were testing her.
But Damian didn’t even blink. He reached for her hand, lacing their fingers together effortlessly.
“She’s brilliant,” he said, his voice carrying just the right amount of conviction. “She challenges me in ways no one else has. And she never treats me differently because of my name.”
Sophia nearly forgot to breathe.
Damian was good.
Too good.
She needed to match his energy.
Forcing a smile, she squeezed his hand and looked up at him. “And Damian… he pretends to be this cold, untouchable businessman, but he’s not.” She turned to his family. “He’s loyal. He takes care of the people around him, even if he won’t admit it.”
For a brief second, she swore Damian’s fingers twitched in hers.
Adrian smirked. “How sweet.”
Sophia resisted the urge to glare.
The rest of dinner was a tense game of chess.
Raymond and Eleanor asked more questions—some innocent, some laced with suspicion. And Sophia could feel the scrutiny behind every single one.
But Damian handled it with ease. He was convincing. Every smile, every look he gave her—it was like he had been planning this his whole life.
By the time dessert was served, she thought they had survived it.
Until Raymond spoke.
“I’ve decided to host an engagement party.”
Sophia froze.
Damian’s expression remained unreadable. “That’s unnecessary.”
Raymond’s eyes gleamed. “Nonsense. It’ll be a great way for people to celebrate your union.”
Sophia clenched her fists beneath the table. This wasn’t a celebration. It was a trap.
A way for Raymond to see if their lie could hold up in front of an audience.
And there was no way out of it.
Sophia swallowed hard.
This just got a whole lot more dangerous.
- Writer
