Chapter 10 – The Gala of Shadows and Secrets

The Blackwood Annual Gala was more than just a gathering—it was a battlefield. A place where alliances were made, deals were sealed, and power shifted hands behind the glamour of champagne and silk gowns.

And tonight, Sophia Reid was about to step into the lion's den.

Dressed in a sleek, floor-length black gown that hugged every curve, she exuded confidence. But inside, she was a storm of emotions—anger, defiance, and an undeniable thrill she refused to name.

She stood at the top of the grand marble staircase, her heart pounding as hundreds of elite guests moved below, draped in designer labels and wealth.

She wasn't nervous. She refused to be.

But when she felt the warmth of Damien Blackwood's presence beside her, her breath hitched—just for a second.

"You clean up nicely," he murmured, his deep voice brushing against her ear.

She turned her head slightly, meeting his gaze. He was impossibly handsome in his tailored black tuxedo, every inch the powerful billionaire that ruled this world.

Too close. Too intoxicating.

But she wouldn't let him see that.

"I always do," she replied smoothly, letting her lips curve into a smirk.

Damien chuckled, offering his arm. "Shall we?"

For a moment, she hesitated. Not because she didn't want to play the role of his fiancée—but because she knew that stepping into that ballroom on his arm meant something dangerous.

But Sophia never backed down from a challenge.

So she placed her hand on his arm, letting him lead her down the grand staircase, their entrance turning heads and silencing conversations.

Whispers followed them.

Damien Blackwood's fiancée.

Some envious. Some suspicious. Some waiting for her to fail.

She ignored them all.

---

The moment they stepped onto the ballroom floor, Damien tightened his grip on her waist and leaned in.

"Smile, sweetheart. Everyone's watching."

She forced a dazzling smile, keeping up the perfect illusion of a loving fiancée.

But her voice was sharp when she spoke. "You're enjoying this too much."

His lips brushed against her temple—too intimate, too dangerous.

"You have no idea," he murmured.

Her pulse betrayed her, but she quickly masked it. This was just an act.

A game.

And she was going to win.

As the music swelled, Damien pulled her onto the dance floor, guiding her effortlessly. His hand rested against the small of her back, possessive yet elegant.

Sophia had danced before, but with Damien—it felt like a battle.

Each step, each movement was a silent exchange of power.

And neither of them was willing to surrender.

"Relax," Damien murmured. "Unless you want people to see how much I affect you."

Sophia tightened her jaw. "You don't."

His smirk told her he didn't believe her for a second.

But before she could respond, a voice interrupted them.

---

"Well, well. Damien Blackwood, finally tamed."

Sophia turned her head to see a man watching them with amusement. He was tall, his sharp features handsome in a ruthless way, his navy suit perfectly tailored.

Damien's expression shifted—calculating, guarded.

"Lucas Montgomery," he greeted smoothly.

Sophia had heard of him—CEO of Montgomery Holdings, one of Damien's biggest competitors.

And judging by the way Damien's grip on her waist tightened, he wasn't a welcome guest.

Lucas's gaze flickered to Sophia. "And you must be the infamous fiancée."

She gave him a polite but cool smile. "Sophia Reid."

Lucas took her hand, brushing a slow kiss against her knuckles. "A pleasure."

Damien's jaw tensed. "Careful, Lucas."

Lucas chuckled. "Relax, Blackwood. I'm just curious about the woman who managed to chain you down."

Sophia arched a brow. "It's more of a partnership."

Lucas's eyes gleamed with interest. "Is that what he told you?"

Damien's hand slid to her hip, pulling her closer. A silent claim. A warning.

She wasn't sure who it was meant for.

Lucas smirked but didn't push. Instead, he raised his glass. "To partnerships, then."

Sophia clinked her glass against his.

And as she sipped her champagne, she couldn't shake the feeling that Lucas Montgomery was more dangerous than he seemed.

---

As the evening continued, Sophia navigated the room like a seasoned player.

She smiled when necessary. Laughed at the right moments. Played the role of the perfect fiancée.

But beneath the surface, she was watching.

Analyzing.

Because tonight wasn't just about playing pretend—it was about understanding Damien's world.

And more importantly, how to survive in it.

But just as she started to feel in control, Damien leaned in again, his lips brushing against the shell of her ear.

"Come with me."

His voice was low, a command rather than a request.

Before she could protest, he took her hand and led her through the crowd, down a dimly lit hallway away from prying eyes.

And when he finally stopped, turning to face her, Sophia's heart pounded.

"What the hell was that?" she demanded.

Damien's expression was unreadable. "Lucas is up to something."

She frowned. "And you think it involves me?"

"I don't know yet." He stepped closer, his presence overwhelming. "But I don't like the way he looked at you."

She let out a humorless laugh. "You don't own me, Damien."

He lifted a hand, brushing a strand of hair behind her ear. The touch was gentle—almost too gentle.

"No," he murmured. "But you're mine, Sophia. And I don't share."

Her breath hitched.

It wasn't fair—the way he could make her body react, the way his words curled around her like a trap.

She swallowed hard, regaining control. "This is a business deal. Nothing more."

Damien tilted his head, his dark eyes glinting. "Keep telling yourself that."

The air between them was charged—dangerous.

And as much as Sophia wanted to deny it…

She knew she was already in too deep.