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“I need to stop by the office before we head home,” I said, checking my watch. There are some last–minute details I need to finalize with Mr. Vance before our Milan trip
tomorrow.“1
“All the more reason she might need support, Damien countered smoothly.
Damien nodded, satisfied with the response. Then he turned to me with a smile that was both warm and calculated. “Hazel, don’t just focus on me, give Mr. Vance some
too.”
“Besides,” Mr. Vance added helpfully, “the fashion week schedule is quite packed. Ms. Ashworth will barely have time to breathe between appointments.”
During the short drive to the restaurant, Damien kept one hand on my thigh, his thumb occasionally stroking in small circles. When I raised an eyebrow at him, he simply gave me an innocent look that didn’t fool me for a second.
I shot Damien a warning glance. “Mr. Vance has been instrumental in our European expansion. I couldn’t ask for a better business partner.”
“I’m just accompanying Hazel,” Damien said smoothly, though something in his tone suggested more than casual interest.
I blinked in surprise. Dinner? With Mr. Vance? This was unexpected.
“Not at all,” Damien insisted, his smile/not quite reaching his eyes. “I’d like to get to know Hazel’s business partner better, especially since you’ll be traveling together.”
We arrived at the Ashworth Bespoke office building twenty minutes later. Damien insisted on escorting me inside, his hand firmly at the small of my back as we walked through the lobby.
Mr. Vance looked equally taken aback. “That’s very kind, but I wouldn’t want to intrude
“Perfect,” I said, gathering the materials. “Thank you for coming in on such short notice.”
A small smile touched his lips. “Actually, yes.”
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Mr. Vance nodded, clearly recognizing the subtext. “Of course, Mr. Sterling. Ma
Ashworth’s wellbeing is important to all of us.
for was
We worked efficiently, selecting the final pieces for the collection and reviewing our presentation strategy. Throughout our meeting, I was acutely aware of Damien’s presence in my office just across the hall.
The words “traveling together” seemed to carry extra weight when Damien said them.
When a bit of sauce splashed on my check during dinner, Damien immediately reached over with his napkin to wipe it away, his touch lingering longer than necessary. Mr. Vance suddenly became very interested in his food.
Near the end of the meal, after several glasses of wine had somewhat relaxed the atmosphere, Damien suddenly addressed Mr. Vance directly.
“And you’re satisfied with your role?” Damien pressed.
I leaned closer to Damien. “What are you doing?” I whispered.
“Ms. Ashworth,” he greeted me professionally before nodding at Damien. “Mr. Sterling, I didn’t expect to see you here today.”
“Yes, we’ve finalized everything,” I replied, trying not to notice how Mr. Vance seemed to shrink slightly under Damien’s intense gaze.
“All done?” he asked, standing closer to me than was strictly necessary.
I froze with my chopsticks midair, a piece of perfectly cooked lobster dangling from them. My eyes darted between Damien’s smug expression and Mr. Vance’s flustered one, realizing I was caught in a bizarre territorial display disguised as dinner etiquette.
When we reached my floor, Mr. Vance was already in the conference room, fabric samples and design sketches spread across the table. His eyes widened slightly at the sight of Damien behind me.
“I hope you like spicy food, Mr/Vance,” Damien commented as we were seated, with me positioned between the two men.
“I’ll take you,” Damien replied, his voice still carrying an edge from our encounter with his family. “And I’ll wait.”
“I do,” Mr. Vance nodded. “Though not too spiey.”
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“In that case, I’d be happy to join you,” Mr. Vance relented, looking vaguely uncomfortable.
“So, Mr. Vance,” Damien began once our food was cooking, “how long have you been working with Hazel?”
“I want to thank you for looking after Hazel during your travels,” he said, his voice carrying unmistakable authority despite the polite words. “I’d appreciate it if you’d ensure she doesn’t overwork herself. She tends to skip meals when she’s focused on a project.”
“Partner,” Damien echoed, something flashing in his eyes. “I’m sure he’s very dedicated.”
“You’re being ridiculous,” I muttered, but couldn’t help the smile that tugged at my lips. Seeing Damien Sterling, one of the most powerful men in the country, acting like a jealous boyfriend was both absurd and oddly endearing.
“I’m taking you,” he repeated firmly, his tone leaving no room for argument.
“That’s not necessary,” I protested. “It might take a while, and I can just grab a ride back
“Almost three years now,” Mr. Vance replied. “I joined when Ashworth Bespoke was expanding its international presence.”
“Excellent,” Damien said. “Mr. Vance, would you care to join us for dinner? I know a wonderful seafood hotpot restaurant nearby.”
He caught my expression and thankfully changed the subject, though his possessive behavior didn’t entirely subside.
“That’s really not necessary,” I said quickly. “It’s just a standard business trip.”
“I think we’re in good shape for tomorrow’s flight,” Mr. Vance concluded after we’d gone through everything. “The arrangements are set for our three–day stay.”
“We need to finalize the selection for the Milan presentation,” I explained, setting my bag down. “It shouldn’t take longer than an hour.”
“We’ll order a split pot then,” Damien decided, his hand finding mine u “Half mild, half with a proper kick.”
er the table.
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“Your family isn’t going to be happy about how we left,” I ventured.
“Just making sure you’re taken care of,” he murmured back, his breath warm against my
ear.
“But it’s the first time you’ve walked out on a family lunch because of a woman,” I guessed.
As we wrapped up, Damien emerged from my office, his timing suspiciously perfect. I nudged Damien’s foot under the table and gave him a look that clearly said, “Enough.” “They’ll manage,” he replied, eyes fixed on the road. “My grandfather has been trying to push me toward suitable matches since I turned twenty–five. This isn’t the first time I’ve disappointed him.”
During the drive to my office, I stole glances at Damien’s profile. His jaw was tight, his knuckles white against the steering wheel. The contrast between this possessive version of Damien and his usually calm demeanor was jarring but oddly thrilling.
After leaving Sterling Heights Estate, I leaned back against the plush leather seat of Damien’s car and let out a long breath. The tense lunch with his family and Bianca had been exhausting.
As the meal progressed, Damien asked increasingly detailed questions about our Milar trip – our schedule, hotel arrangements, business meetings. At one point, he even suggested he might fly over himself.
The restaurant was upscale but cozy, specializing in premium seafood hotpot. The hostess led us to a private room with a large round table featuring a central heating element for the pot.
Throughout the meal preparation, Damien was excessively attentive to me – selecting choice pieces of seafood for my plate, refilling my tea before I could ask, and seemingl finding every reason to touch me subtly but noticeably.
“I’ll wait in your office,” Damien announced, giving Mr. Vance a pointed look before striding toward my corner office.
Once alone with Mr. Vance, I could feel the awkwardness hanging i about that,” I said quietly. “Let’s get started.”
Chapter 153 – Marking Territory: From Office to Hotpot
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he air. “Sorry
