Chapter 81

• Esther’s lips curved into a knowing smirk as if she had anticipated his outburst. “You really are naïve, Damien. The company requires stability, and I’m the steady presence you undoubtedly need. What you still fail to understand is that your father arranged this to reinforce his control, yes. But it was also to ensure you have someone by your side who knows how to navigate these treacherous waters, someone who can manage fallout when need be.”
• Damien stood up abruptly, the chair scraping against the floor. “You talk about stability, but you’re just using me to fulfill your own ambitions. You think I don’t know what’s going on behind the scenes? There’s a reason I’ve kept Charlotte at arm’s length. I want to protect her from whatever scheme you have up your sleeves, even if I can’t completely rid myself of my feelings for her.”
• For a moment, Esther’s facade faltered—her eyes flickered with something raw and unguarded, but it quickly vanished behind a mask of feigned hurt. “You’re deluding yourself if you think this can be anything but mutually beneficial,” she snapped, her icy demeanor returning as swiftly as it had waned. “You think this is simple for me? Because it isn’t. You may claim to be fighting for your ideals, but I’ll remind you that I’m just as entrenched in this arrangement as you are. It’s about survival; we both have something to gain.”