Nathan's office door shut behind them, drowning out the lingering noise from the hallway. The room was still, yet tension buzzed in the air between them.
Stephanie stood in the center, arms folded, her brows tight with emotion. "I need to ask you something, and I want the truth. No games."
Nathan exhaled slowly, moving around the desk. "Ask."
She didn't blink. "What was Luisa to you? And don't say 'a mistake.' That's too easy."
He leaned on the desk, eyes darkening. "She was my fiancée."
Stephanie's lips parted in shock. "What?"
"I was younger. Angry. Wrecked. She was the perfect distraction—beautiful, wild, manipulative. I thought it was love. But it was control. She knew exactly how to feed my pain and twist it."
"And Damien?" Stephanie asked, her voice quieter now.
He scoffed bitterly. "He was my cousin. My brother, almost. He knew what she meant to me—and he took her anyway."
Stephanie's heart clenched. "Do you still… love her?"
Nathan moved around the desk, closing the space between them. "No," he said without hesitation. "Luisa is a ghost. All she reminds me of is who I was when I lost myself."
She studied him. "Then why did it get under your skin today?"
"Because she tried to hurt you," he replied, voice low, raw. "And I won't let that happen again."
The silence between them was heavy but not cold. It simmered with something unspoken, something shifting.
Then Nathan cleared his throat and softened. "Have dinner with me tonight."
Stephanie blinked. "What?"
"Come to my place. Let me cook for you."
Her brow lifted. "You cook?"
He smirked faintly. "I do. And before you doubt my skills—I make a damn good seared salmon."
She chuckled under her breath. "You? Chef Voss?"
"I'll prove it," he said, reaching into his pocket. "My driver will pick you up at seven. Dress however you like. Just… come."
Stephanie hesitated, her heart warring with reason. Then she nodded slowly. "Alright. But if you poison me—"
"I won't. Unless you insult my risotto."
She smiled, turning to leave. "See you tonight, Nathan."
As she left, something in Nathan softened—just a crack—but enough for the light to start slipping in.
⸻
Later – Damien's Apartment
Luisa slammed the door behind her, furious. "You coward! You stood there while Nathan shamed me in front of everyone!"
Damien was at the bar, already halfway into a bottle of bourbon. "You deserved it."
She stared at him. "Excuse me?"
He turned, his face twisted with disgust. "You were pathetic. Throwing yourself at him like a stray."
"I did it for you! To rattle him—"
He cut her off with a sharp laugh. "No, you did it for you. You never stopped wanting him. And you think I didn't see it every damn time you looked at him?"
She stepped forward, fury flashing. "Don't act like you're innocent. You told me we had a future!"
"I lied," Damien said coldly. "I used you. You were just a tool—to get under Nathan's skin. And now? He doesn't even care. So you're worthless."
Luisa slapped him, her palm echoing in the apartment.
Damien didn't even blink. "Hit me again and I'll show you what real consequences look like."
"You bastard," she whispered. "You think you can use me and walk away?"
"You're nothing, Luisa," he hissed. "Just a clinger. Loud, desperate, always begging for attention. It's pathetic."
Tears threatened her eyes, but rage held them back. "You'll regret this. You and Nathan."
Luisa shoved him away and stormed toward the door. "This isn't over, Damien."
He smirked. "No. It's just beginning."
⸻
Later – Voss Estate
Victor Voss stood by the window in his private study, staring out into the night. His back was rigid, his face unreadable as Damien stormed in.
"We have a problem," Damien snapped. "Nathan's not playing scared anymore. He humiliated me, dumped Luisa like trash, and now he's winning over people—including that woman."
Victor didn't flinch. "So what do you propose?"
Damien's eyes burned. "We take him out. Now. Before his birthday."
Victor turned slowly. "You think I haven't prepared for this?"
He walked to a locked drawer and pulled out a thick black folder, tossing it on the table. "This is our contingency."
Damien picked it up, eyes scanning the documents, photos, and financial records—dangerous leverage.
Victor's voice was ice. "If he gets to twenty-eight, he becomes untouchable. You want Vosstech? We destroy him before then."
Damien looked up, a twisted smile creeping onto his face. "Let's ruin him."
Victor nodded once. "Burn it all, if you have to."