A TASTE OF POWER

A Morning of Reflection

The soft hum of Lana’s phone vibrating against the nightstand jolted her awake. Her eyes fluttered open, adjusting to the dim glow of dawn filtering through her curtains. For a moment, she lay still, allowing the heaviness of sleep to dissolve. The events of yesterday replayed in her mind her unexpected defense of Wolfe Corporation, Damian’s cryptic challenge, and, most unsettling of all, the anonymous email warning her to leave.

Her phone vibrated again.

With a sigh, she reached for it. A new message.

Unknown Sender: This is your final warning. Get out.

A slow chill spread through her veins, but she refused to let fear take hold. Whoever this is, they don’t know who they’re dealing with. Isla Sinclair had survived far worse.

Pushing the unease aside, she swung her legs over the bed and stood. The air was crisp against her skin as she padded into the bathroom. The mirror reflected a composed woman, but she knew the storm brewing beneath her exterior.

Turning on the shower, she let the steaming water soothe her muscles. As she washed, she planned her next move. She had planted the first seed of sabotage last night a small but calculated disruption to one of Damian’s most lucrative deals. It was nothing too destructive, just enough to cause a stir. The game had begun, and she intended to win.

After dressing in a deep navy blouse and a fitted black pencil skirt, she pulled her hair into a sleek ponytail. Her sharp heels echoed against the wooden floor as she walked into her tiny kitchen, pouring herself a cup of black coffee.

She took a slow sip, savoring the moment. Let’s see how the great Damian Wolfe handles this.

The Storm at Wolfe Corporation

By the time she arrived at Wolfe Corporation, tension was already thick in the air. The moment she stepped into the sleek lobby, she noticed the shift employees whispering, fingers typing furiously on keyboards, nervous glances exchanged.

Something had happened.

Lana didn’t let her expression falter as she approached the elevator. The usual stares followed her, but this time, there was something different respect. Whispers of her performance in the meeting had spread. Damian’s assistant wasn’t just another disposable employee. She had proven herself.

As she stepped onto the executive floor, she was met by Valerie’s sharp gaze. The older woman raised a perfectly sculpted brow.

“Wolfe is waiting for you,” she said, her voice clipped.

Lana nodded and made her way to Damian’s office, her heels clicking with deliberate confidence.

She barely had time to knock before his voice rang out.

“Get in here.”

She pushed open the heavy doors, her gaze meeting Damian’s stormy eyes. He was leaning against his desk, a phone in one hand, a glass of whiskey in the other.

Not a good sign.

“Something wrong?” she asked smoothly.

His jaw tightened as he tossed his phone onto the desk.

“Dawson Enterprises just pulled out of our deal,” he said, his voice low and dangerous. “A deal worth billions.”

Lana feigned concern. “That’s… unexpected.”

“Is it?” His piercing gaze locked onto her. “Or is it calculated?”

Her stomach clenched. Is he onto me already?

She gave him an innocent tilt of her head. “What are you implying?”

Damian studied her for a long moment, then exhaled, running a hand through his hair. “Nothing. Yet.”

She kept her expression carefully neutral as he straightened, placing his glass down.

“I need you to fix it,” he said.

Lana arched a brow. “Fix a billion-dollar deal that’s already dead?”

“Yes.” His tone was cold, unwavering. “Find out why they pulled out. Who’s behind it. And bring me a solution.”

She hesitated, pretending to consider. “And if I do?”

A smirk tugged at the corner of his lips. “Then I might start seeing you as something other than a replaceable employee.”

Lana folded her arms. “And if I fail?”

Damian leaned in slightly, his presence suffocating.

“Then you’re out.”

The Game Within the Game

Lana spent the next few hours gathering information, carefully manipulating conversations, planting seeds of doubt. She made calls, spoke with key employees, and pieced together a fabricated version of events.

By noon, she had what she needed.

She stepped into Damian’s office, dropping a file onto his desk.

“They didn’t pull out because of us,” she said.

He looked up, skeptical. “Oh?”

“They pulled out because they were given false information.” She leaned forward. “Someone told them that Wolfe Corporation was on the verge of a financial collapse. That a scandal was about to erupt.”

Damian’s eyes darkened. “Who?”

Lana shrugged. “The rumor came from an anonymous source. But if I had to guess…” She trailed off, letting the suspense build.

He exhaled sharply. “Calloway.”

She didn’t correct him. She didn’t have to.

Damian’s fury was palpable. He stood, adjusting his cuffs. “Then we make them regret it.”

Lana allowed herself a small, satisfied smile. Exactly as planned.

Cliffhanger: The First Crack in the Mask

As the day wound down, Lana sat at her desk, reviewing the latest reports. She had played her part perfectly. The sabotage was minor, just enough to create chaos without exposing herself.

But Damian Wolfe was not a man to be fooled easily.

Her phone buzzed.

She glanced at the screen.

Unknown Number: I know what you did.

Her blood ran cold.

She turned, and for the first time, her heart stuttered.

Damian was standing in his office, watching her.

And he was smiling.

Not the usual smirk. Not the cold amusement.

But something deeper.

Something dangerous.

The game had truly begun.