Chapter 8 - Striking Back

Damian stood by the window, his body rigid, his hands clenched into fists.

Eve could see it the storm brewing inside him.

For too long, Vanessa had held power over him. But this time?

She'd gone too far.

"She thinks she has me cornered," Damian murmured, his voice dangerously calm. "She thinks I'll just hand her everything to keep my secret buried."

Eve stepped closer. "So what are you going to do?"

Damian turned, his gaze locked onto hers. "I'm going to end this."

Eve's stomach tightened. "How?"

He exhaled sharply, running a hand through his hair. "I have resources she doesn't know about. People who owe me favors. It's time I remind Vanessa that I don't play by her rules."

Eve frowned. "Damian, if she really has that video"

"She does," he admitted. "But I won't let her use it."

A shiver ran down Eve's spine. "What are you planning?"

His lips curled into a dark smirk. "She wants power? Fine. Let's see how she handles losing everything."

Eve's breath caught. "Damian"

He reached for his phone, dialing a number. "It's me," he said into the receiver. "Pull everything on Vanessa Laurent. I want every account, every deal, every skeleton in her closet." A pause. Then: "And if she has anything illegal? Bury her."

Eve's eyes widened. "Damian, you can't"

He ended the call, turning to her. "This isn't just about me, Eve. Vanessa doesn't care who she destroys." His voice softened, but his eyes burned with determination. "I won't let her take you down with me."

Eve swallowed hard. She knew Damian wasn't just a billionaire he was a man who thrived in the shadows, always ten steps ahead.

And now?

Vanessa had made the mistake of underestimating him.

Eve exhaled. "So what happens now?"

Damian's gaze darkened. "Now?" He smirked. "Now, Vanessa learns what it means to go to war with me."

Eve's Gamble

Eve paced the room, her mind racing.

She had spent enough time in Damian's world to know one thing power came with enemies. And Vanessa?

She wasn't just an enemy. She was a predator.

Damian wanted to destroy her, but Eve knew that if he went too far, he'd risk everything. His empire. His reputation. Maybe even his life.

And she wasn't about to let that happen.

If I can find something first…

She grabbed her coat and phone, slipping out before Damian could notice.

She had an idea a risky, dangerous idea. But it was the only way.

If Damian was going after Vanessa…

Then Eve was going after the truth.

The Meeting

The dimly lit lounge hummed with whispers and clinking glasses. Eve walked in, her pulse steady despite the tension tightening her chest.

She spotted him at the far table a man in an expensive suit, his sharp eyes scanning the room like he owned it.

Nathaniel Voss.

Vanessa's former business partner.

And her enemy.

Eve slid into the seat across from him, ignoring the way he raised an eyebrow.

"You've got guts showing up here," Nathaniel said smoothly, sipping his drink.

Eve leaned forward. "I need information on Vanessa Laurent."

Nathaniel chuckled. "Do you, now? And what makes you think I'll help?"

She met his gaze without flinching. "Because she's a threat to both of us. And I think you hate her as much as Damian does."

Nathaniel's smirk faded. He exhaled, swirling his glass. "You're playing a dangerous game, sweetheart."

Eve didn't back down. "I know Vanessa has secrets real ones. Something big enough to take her down." She tilted her head. "And I bet you know exactly what it is."

Nathaniel studied her for a long moment. Then he leaned in, lowering his voice.

"There's a deal she made," he said. "One that would destroy her if it ever got out."

Eve's heart pounded. "What kind of deal?"

Nathaniel smirked. "Let's just say… Vanessa's power isn't as clean as she wants people to think."

He slid a small envelope across the table. "This? This is her downfall."

Eve hesitated before taking it.

"This better be real," she warned.

Nathaniel chuckled. "Oh, trust me," he said. "When Vanessa finds out you have it?" His grin widened. "She'll come running."

Eve clenched her jaw. Good.

Because she wasn't going to let Vanessa win.

And if she had to play dirty to protect Damian?

So be it.

Checkmate

Vanessa's penthouse was as extravagant as the woman herself floor-to-ceiling windows, designer furniture, and a view that screamed power.

But Eve wasn't here to admire the decor.

She was here to end this.

Vanessa lounged on a velvet chaise, sipping champagne as if she hadn't just blackmailed Damian hours ago. Her red lips curved into a smirk as Eve stepped inside.

"Well, well," Vanessa purred. "To what do I owe the pleasure?"

Eve didn't waste time. She tossed the envelope onto the table between them. "Your little empire? It's built on this."

Vanessa's smirk faltered. She picked up the envelope, slid out the documents, and skimmed them.

Then her fingers curled.

Her eyes flicked to Eve, sharp with barely concealed rage. "Where did you get this?"

Eve crossed her arms. "Does it matter?"

Vanessa's jaw clenched, but she recovered quickly, tossing the papers aside with a laugh. "And what, exactly, do you plan to do with this information?"

Eve stepped closer. "I could hand it over to the press. Or better yet the authorities. A deal this corrupt? It wouldn't just ruin you. It'd destroy you."

Vanessa's nails tapped against her glass. "You're bluffing."

"Am I?" Eve raised an eyebrow. "Try me."

Silence stretched between them. For the first time, Vanessa didn't look amused.

She looked cornered.

Eve pressed on. "You're done blackmailing Damian. You're done coming after him. And if you ever try to use that video against him again…" She leaned in, voice steady. "I will burn you to the ground."

Vanessa stared at her, her expression unreadable.

Then, slowly, she smiled.

"Interesting," she murmured. "Looks like Damian isn't the only one with teeth."

Eve didn't flinch. "Do we have a deal?"

Vanessa swirled her champagne. Then, with a sigh, she set it down.

"I suppose it would be a shame to waste all this power fighting a war I can't win." She exhaled dramatically. "Fine. I'll back off."

Eve didn't relax. Not yet.

"And the video?" she pressed.

Vanessa tilted her head. "Consider it… forgotten."

Eve searched her expression for a lie but found none.

Finally, she nodded. "Good."

She turned to leave, but Vanessa's voice stopped her.

"You know," Vanessa mused, "you remind me of myself."

Eve froze.

Vanessa smirked. "And trust me, darling that should scare you."

Eve walked out without looking back.

She had won.

But as she stepped into the night, Vanessa's words lingered.

And for the first time, she wondered how far was she willing to go for Damian?