A Dagerous Game

Sienna had expected Richard to lash out.

To fight back.

To double down on his threats.

But as she and Damien walked out of the boardroom, hands still loosely intertwined, Richard hadn’t said a word.

That silence terrified her more than any of his carefully veiled threats.

Because Richard Lancaster never lost.

And he sure as hell didn’t surrender.

Damien must have sensed it too because his grip on her hand tightened slightly as they stepped into the private elevator leading down to the lobby.

The moment the doors slid shut, Sienna exhaled sharply, pulling her hand free and turning to face him.

“Do you really think that worked?”

Damien’s expression was unreadable, his dark eyes locked onto the closed doors. “It worked well enough—for now.”

Sienna crossed her arms. “You know he’s going to come at us harder, right?”

Finally, Damien turned to her, his jaw tight. “I know.”

Sienna swallowed hard. “Then what’s our next move?”

Damien exhaled, rubbing a hand over his face. “We take control of the public narrative. We don’t just act like this marriage is real—we make the world believe it.”

Sienna’s breath caught.

This wasn’t just about saving the marriage contract anymore.

It was about ensuring no one dared question it again.

She forced herself to breathe. “How do we do that?”

Damien’s lips curled slightly. “By making them fall in love with us.”

Sienna’s stomach twisted. “You’re talking about a public campaign?”

Damien nodded. “A very public campaign. Appearances, interviews, high-profile events—everything Richard hates. If we control the public’s perception, the board won’t dare vote against us.”

Sienna hesitated. “And if it doesn’t work?”

Damien’s gaze darkened. “Then we make sure Richard has more to lose than we do.”

A shiver ran down her spine.

She had seen Damien ruthless before. But this was something else.

This wasn’t just about protecting her.

This was personal.

And it was about to get ugly.

That Evening – The Lancaster Gala

The Lancaster Foundation’s charity gala was perfectly timed.

An annual event, filled with the most powerful people in the city—business leaders, politicians, socialites, and, most importantly, the media.

It was exactly what they needed to turn the tide.

Sienna stepped out of the town car first, the cameras already flashing wildly. The second Damien followed, the crowd exploded.

Questions were shouted.

“Mr. Lancaster! Are the divorce rumors true?”

“Sienna, do you have anything to say about the scandal?”

“Is your marriage on the verge of collapse?”

Sienna kept her expression flawless.

She didn’t react.

Because tonight?

She was in control.

And so was Damien.

Without hesitation, he slid an arm around her waist, pulling her closer. His lips brushed her ear as he whispered, “Smile.”

Sienna smirked. “I always do.”

Then—he kissed her.

Not a polite, public kiss.

Not something staged or forced.

It was deep. Slow. Possessive.

And when Damien pulled away, his thumb brushed against her jaw, his dark eyes locking onto hers with a heat that felt too real.

The reporters lost their minds.

Sienna barely heard the commotion as Damien led her inside the ballroom, his grip on her waist never loosening.

But as the doors shut behind them, reality crashed down hard.

Because for the first time, Sienna wasn’t sure where the lie ended—

And where the truth began.

—

let’s see what Richard Lancaster has in store for them, Shall we.

This chapter follows the outline exactly while expanding the tension and public power play. Ready for Chapter 37?