Morning, at Sterling Villa,
Dressed in a tailored business suit, Damien sat at the head of the dining table, his sharp gaze narrowed at the staircase as soon as he heard the soft click of heels.
Aveline descended the stairs with effortless grace, donning a fit that was a perfect blend of sophistication and class.
The tailored rust-brown vest and high-waisted trousers created a sleek, structured silhouette, emphasizing her poise and elegance. The crisp white blouse, with its billowing sleeves, added a touch of softness, balancing the sharp lines of the suit.
A golden-buckled belt cinched her waist, and the minimal golden accessories enhanced her polished look. Paired with pointed-toe heels and a structured leather handbag, her look spoke of refined taste and effortless grace.
Damien's jaw tightened.
Now he understood why Vivienne always felt threatened by Avelien, who never actively sought the limelight.
Vivienne was a model and a fashionista, indulging in expensive brands, limited edition, and bold looks, but Aveline?
She embodied a level of luxury and refinement that couldn't be bought, an aura that made her effortlessly captivating.
He exhaled sharply. Soon enough, the media would learn that Aveline Laurent had entered the corporate world. And it was only a matter of time before Vivienne drowned herself in drunken complaints over it.
Despite the irritation pricking beneath his skin, Damien pushed aside his thoughts and rose to his feet as Aveline approached. His eyes swept over her, slow and deliberate, taking in every detail like an attentive husband.
Then, without realizing it, he let out a hum of admiration, "I didn't realize you could look this formidable until now." The words slipped out before he could stop them.
Aveline had gathered herself far too long to face Damien. She was about to casually dismiss his comment as fake until she caught the fleeting flicker of disbelief in his eyes.
For the first time, Damien Ashford had surprised himself.
The realization encouraged her, and a natural, effortless smile appeared on her lips. A soft tint of pink stained her cheeks.
"I will take that as a compliment. Thank you, Damien."
Damien's gaze sharpened. 'The blush.' It soothed a tinge of his doubt.
Brushing off his moment of slip, Damien pulled a chair for her before taking his seat again. He gracefully poured her juice while she prepared her plate, drizzling maple syrup over her French toast, topping it with fresh berries.
He leaned back, watching her. "Have you spoken to your father?" His tone was casual as though he was just having a simple conversation over breakfast. However, his mind was already plotting to complicate her situation.
Aveline pouted slightly, shaking her head in response. Her expression was true to her emotions - helpless.
Her father loved her, but he was conservative and firm in his beliefs. He always resisted the idea of Aveline running a business, believing the Laurent women should live comfortable, healthy lives while focusing on planning their vacations and looking pretty rather than competing and struggling in the treacherous business world.
And Damien knew about it.
Aveline had only agreed to the arranged marriage because Damien had promised her that she could pursue her passion freely. Thus, Damien was well aware that gaining a position at Laurent Industries wouldn't be easy.
Taking a bite of her French toast, Aveline's eyes lit up when she came up with a plan, and she executed it immediately.
"Damien…" Her voice softened, laced with a playful sheepiness.
He looked up and caught her silly smile. Before he could deduce it, she continued, "A word from you will cool my father." Then she tilted her head and requested, "Please…" She didn't want her father to get angry and send her to a random department.
Damien: "..."
Was she requesting him to convince her father to let her work?
He couldn't believe his ears. He was against sending her out of the house, much less to work at Laurent Industries.
His day was already foul due to Daniel Anderson, and by the thought of her stepping out, but this? This was beyond irritating.
He leaned back, his grip tightening around the spoon. He found an excuse, "Well, this might be the start of your learning process, Nina." His voice was deceptively encouraging while internally, he hoped her father would kick her out of the company immediately.
Gasping, Aveline dropped her jaw figuratively and looked at him as though she had been betrayed. She mewled, "Looks like my husband won't pamper me anymore."
She sighed dramatically, turning her attention back to her breakfast. Taking another bite, she sulked.
Damien: "..."
'What the f*ck was happening?'
Damien struggled to act smoothly. How was she manipulating him into doing exactly what he was against?
Yet, he had no choice. Until the day he achieved his goal, he couldn't let her hate him, doubt him, or leave him.
'Damn it.' He cursed inwardly.
He dropped his spoon and fork onto his plate and gracefully took a sip of juice, all the while watching her sulk. He picked up his mobile and dialed her father, irritation simmering just beneath his calmness.
He caught her stealing glances at him, and her eyes lit up in pure delight the second he said, "Mr. Laurent."
[Damien, it's been two months. At least now, call me Dad.]
"Dad." Damien smoothly corrected himself, forcing the word out.
Despite not hearing her father, Aveline could easily guess her father's words. She giggled softly and eagerly watched Damien with puppy eyes.
She strongly believed he wouldn't stop acting like a devoted husband. So she would continue to act like a sweet wife.
Damien was never the one to beat around the bush. Thus, he was straight to the point, "Nina will be joining Laurent Industries starting today. I trust you will guide her well in this new journey." His voice was a perfect blend of protectiveness and authority.
Aveline jumped in her seat, a quiet squeak of excitement escaping her lips before she slapped a hand over her mouth.
Damien almost chuckled. Almost.
His actions left him baffled.
Anyway, he smoothly faked a smile for her.
[Err… Of course, Aveline will be in good hands, Damien. Don't worry.]
Damien's brow twitched. Apart from hesitation, Damien didn't miss the glee in his father-in-law's tone.
'Why was he happy?' Damien wondered.
Still, he smoothly ended the call, "Alright."
Aveline hid her victorious smirk. Using Damien against himself was deliciously satisfying.
Wait, does she have to show her gratitude now?
But her body refused to move. Every fiber refused the idea of touching him. But she had to.
Forcing herself, she rose to her feet and wrapped her arms around his neck.
If this had been before she regressed, she would have leaped into his arms without hesitation. Now? His presence felt foreign, and his touch disgusting.
"Thank you, Damien…" She was about to pull away quickly, but his arms slid around her waist, effortlessly pulling her onto his lap.
Aveline felt trapped.
"Just a thank you?" Damien murmured, raising a brow. His tone obviously held a clear intent.
Aveline's stomach twisted. A kiss. That's what he was hinting at.
Biting the inside of her cheek, she forced a huff, playing along, "You are a true businessman." A businessman who never lets himself be at a loss.
Her lips hovered near his cheek. But her nausea rose sharply as she recalled Damien devouring Vivienne.
Her eyes stung. She whispered teasingly, "Not so easy." She skipped away and looked back at him, giggling.
Damien sighed, "Not fair." He played along like a bullied husband.
"Everything is fair in love and war."
'And this is a war.' Both thought the same, one flashing a gentle smile and the other giggling.
Grabbing her bag and waving her hand, Aveline reached the cabinet near the entrance, her fingers hovering over the key fobs.
Damien had an extensive collection of luxury cars, and she picked one key with deliberate ease.
The limited edition Black Lamborghini Veneno Roadster. His favorite.
"I'm driving yours." She sweetly announced and strode out of the entrance.
Damien's jaw flexed, his fingers curling into fists.
She was testing him at every turn.
His control. His patience.
The Aveline of yesterday never touched his cars.
But this Aveline?
Not just the car, she was effortlessly flipping his control.
He closed his eyes and let her flutter all she wanted with her poisoned wings.
…
In the Lamborghini,
Sitting behind the wheel, Aveline shuddered at everything that happened there. If she has to play this long game of deception, she has to get used to being Damien's sweet wife.
Driving out of the gate, Aveline saw an Audi pulling through the gates. And her breath caught in her throat when she spotted him behind the wheel.
Dr. Elias Hawthorne.
Her murderer
Aveline's entire body turned cold, her eyes widened, and her stomach twisted in knots.
'You just won't die, will you?' His voice rang in her mind.
Her fingers tightened around the steering wheel, cold sweat beads dotted on her forehead, unable to grasp the situation.
Why was he here?
Were they planning to kill her?