CHAPTER 3
1305 Words
Damien twirled Evelyn around again before the music swelled to its end, and she barely had time to regain her breath. She experienced a strange sense of loss as soon as his hands left her waist. The cheers that were around them subsided as Damien leaned in, his mouth perilously near her ear.
“You did well,” he murmured.
A mixture of irritation and something far more dangerous coiled inside her. She didn’t want his approval. She wanted to get through the night without being swallowed whole by his world.
Before she could respond, a woman’s voice interrupted. “Damien, darling.”
When Evelyn turned, she saw a tall, beautiful woman wearing a flashy silver. Her eyes flicked to Evelyn with thinly veiled interest, but her dark red lips curled into a knowing smile.
“Victoria,” Damien acknowledged, his expression unreadable. “You remember Evelyn Carter?”
Victoria’s brow arched. “Ah, yes. The woman of the hour. The one who managed to tie you to a charity.”
Evelyn met her gaze head-on. “The Haven is more than a charity, Ms. Sinclair. It’s a lifeline for those in need.”
Victoria’s smirk deepened. “How noble.” She turned her attention back to Damien. “I hope you haven’t forgotten our wager.”
Evelyn frowned. “Wager?”
Damien’s jaw tensed, but Victoria let out a soft chuckle. “Oh, he didn’t tell you? Damien and I made a little bet about tonight’s fundraiser.”
Evelyn crossed her arms. “What kind of bet?”
Victoria took a slow sip of her champagne. “That he couldn’t raise double The Haven’s usual donations in one night. I told him he had no real persuasive skills outside of business.”
Damien’s smirk returned. “Care to see for yourself?”
Before Evelyn could reply, Damien placed a hand on the small of her back and guided her toward the grand auction hall. At the front, a platform was prepared, and a distinguished auctioneer had already started soliciting bids for upscale trips, artwork, and special corporate benefits.
When Evelyn knew exactly what Damien was going to do, her stomach turned. She was his pawn in a game of power that he was playing, not merely a display of wealth.
There were whispers in the audience as Damien walked up to the platform. With practiced ease, he took the microphone from the auctioneer, and his presence effortlessly commanded the crowd.
"Ladies and gentlemen," he said smoothly, "it's not just about indulgence tonight. Impact is the key.
Evelyn stared in awe as he skillfully combined words in a rich, convincing voice. He talked about the goal of The Haven, the lives they have impacted, and why everyone there has a responsibility to give back.
Then came the real spectacle.
Damien went on, "I will be matching every donation made tonight, dollar for dollar, to demonstrate my personal commitment."
Before a wave of excitement swept over the audience, silence descended upon the room. Evelyn felt her heart race. This was a challenge rather than merely an act of kindness. Furthermore, the affluent elite present weren't ones to be surpassed.
Bidding wars erupted. The overall amount raised beyond Evelyn's wildest expectations as the numbers continued to rise.
She was gasping for air as the final count was revealed.
Damien had won his bet.
And The Haven had secured more funding in a single night than it had in years.
As the room erupted in applause, Damien turned to her, his dark eyes alight with triumph. “Satisfied?”
Evelyn swallowed hard. She wasn’t sure if she should be grateful or furious. Because while The Haven had won… so had Damien.
And he knew it.
As Victoria approached, a slow clap accompanying her smirk, Evelyn realized one undeniable truth.
Damien Sterling never played fair.
And this was only the beginning.
As Evelyn moved away from Damien, her pulse trembling, she could still hear the echo of applause. She wasn't sure if she should be relieved or worried by the conclusion because the evening had gone well beyond what she had expected.
Victoria spun the champagne in her glass and drooled, "Impressive." “But I suppose I should have known better than to doubt you, Damien.”
Damien’s smirk was slow and knowing. “You should.”
Victoria let out a soft laugh, her gaze flicking between them. “And you, Evelyn—how does it feel to be at the mercy of his... generosity?”
Evelyn straightened her shoulders. “I’d hardly call it mercy.”
Victoria’s lips curved, as if she enjoyed the bite in Evelyn’s tone. “Oh, I like you. You’re not so easily impressed.”
“Flattery won’t make me trust you,” Evelyn replied coolly.
Victoria merely raised her glass in silent acknowledgment before walking away, leaving behind an air of amusement that unsettled Evelyn.
She turned to Damien, exhaling sharply. “What the hell was that?”
He arched a brow. “That was me securing more funding than The Haven has seen in years. You’re welcome.”
“You made a game out of it.”
His smirk faded, replaced with something more serious. “No, I made sure you got what you needed.”
Evelyn wanted to argue, but the truth was undeniable. No matter how underhanded his methods were, he had succeeded. Still, she didn’t like being a pawn in whatever game he was playing with Victoria or anyone else.
Before she could press further, a waiter appeared at Damien’s side, murmuring something in his ear. Damien nodded once and turned back to her. “We need to talk. Privately.”
Evelyn frowned. “About what?”
“Business.” His tone left little room for debate.
They were a short way from the main ballroom, in a private lounge. The dim lighting cast long shadows, and the air carried a faint aroma of expensive whiskey and cigar smoke. Damien poured himself a drink, leaned against the bar, and looked at her.
He concluded by saying, "I have a proposal for you."
Evelyn folded her arms. “I’m listening.”
For the first time, she noticed something unsettling in Damien's look as his eyes darkened. "I want you to be my employee."
Unexpectedly, she blinked. "Pardon me?"
"If you agree to serve as my personal advisor, I'll double The Haven's funding for the next three years—no conditions attached."
Evelyn stared at him. “And what exactly would that entail?”
“You’d attend meetings with me, assist in negotiations, and—most importantly—ensure my investments align with your so-called noble causes.”
She narrowed her eyes. “And why would you need me for that?”
Damien took a slow sip of his drink before answering. “Because your presence changes how people see me. Tonight proved that.”
Evelyn’s stomach twisted. He wasn’t offering her a job. He was offering her a role in whatever calculated image he was trying to project. “So, I’d be your... what? Moral compass?”
"If that's how you want to think about it."
She chuckled doubtfully. “And what makes you think I’d ever agree?”
His gaze locked onto hers, sharp and unwavering. “Because I know you’d do anything to protect The Haven.”
The weight of his words settled over her like a storm cloud. He wasn’t wrong. If she walked away, she’d leave millions in potential funding behind. Funding that could change lives. But if she agreed, she’d be stepping deeper into Damien’s world—a world of power plays and manipulation.
She exhaled slowly. “I need time to think.”
Damien nodded, but there was something in his eyes that told her he already knew her answer.
And that terrified her.
- Writer
