TAMED BY THE BILLIONAIRE

AT THE STEELE'S MANSION

Damien's pov

I was sitting in the study, sipping my coffee and going through a few documents when Eleanor waltzed in. Her perfume hit me before she even opened her mouth too sweet and way too strong, just like her personality. I barely glanced up.

"Damien, darling," she sang, her voice dripping with fake sweetness. I knew that tone. It meant trouble.

I sighed. "What is it,woman?"

Before she could answer, I heard another pair of heels clicking behind her. My jaw clenched as a tall, overly dressed woman strutted in like she owned the place. Her makeup was flawless, her smile calculated, and she was carrying one of those tiny handbags that couldn't even fit a phone.

Eleanor clasped her hands together like she'd just solved world hunger. "Damien, meet Cassandra Laine. She's going to be your wife."

I froze, my coffee cup pausing halfway to my lips. Did I just hear that right? Slowly, I set the cup down and looked up at her.

"Come again?" I said, my voice dangerously calm.

Eleanor smiled wider, clearly enjoying herself. "You heard me, darling. Cassandra here is perfect for you. Smart, beautiful, comes from a good family..."

"Eleanor," I interrupted, my tone sharper now. "Did I ever tell you I was looking for a wife?"

Her smile faltered, but only for a second. "Well, no, but I know what's best for you. You need someone like Cassandra to keep you grounded. To bring stability to your life..."

"I don't need anything from you," I snapped, standing up. My chair scraped against the floor as I towered over both of them. "And I certainly don't need you playing matchmaker."

Eleanor didn't even flinch. She tilted her head, giving me that same smug, manipulative smile she always wore when she thought she had the upper hand. "Damien, don't be so dramatic. At least hear her out."

Before I could protest, she turned to Cassandra. "Go ahead, dear. Tell him about yourself."

Cassandra gave me a smile that was probably supposed to be charming but just came off as fake. "Mr. Steele, it's such an honor to meet you. I've heard so much about you from your mother.."

"Step-mother," I corrected, cutting her off. My tone was ice-cold, but she ignored it and kept going.

"I understand you're a very busy man, but I believe we could make a great team. My family has deep connections in the tech industry, and I'm confident we could..."

"Stop."

My voice was loud enough to make both of them pause. I could feel my anger bubbling just below the surface, but I forced myself to stay calm. Barely.

I turned to Eleanor, my eyes narrowing. "I don't know what game you're playing, but I'm not interested. I don't need a 'team,' I don't need a partner, and I sure as hell don't need you meddling in my life."

Eleanor's smile faltered again, but she quickly recovered, plastering it back on like the manipulative snake she was. "Damien, darling, you're overreacting. Cassandra is..."

"I'm done here."

Without another word, I walked out of the study, leaving Eleanor and her 'perfect' Cassandra behind. As I strode down the hallway, I could still hear Eleanor's voice trailing after me, probably trying to salvage the situation.

But I didn't care.

CASSANDRA'S POV

I stood there, frozen for a moment, staring at Damien Steele's retreating back as he stormed out of the study. His rejection hadn't shocked me not really. Mrs. Steele had warned me. She told me he was a cold, ruthless man who rarely, if ever, entertained anything outside of his carefully curated plans.

Still, I hadn't expected him to be this difficult.

I turned to Mrs. Steele, who looked slightly flustered but quickly smoothed her expression into one of calm composure. "Don't worry, dear," she said, her tone saccharine. "He just needs time to warm up. You know how men like him are driven, stubborn."

I nodded, even though I wasn't so sure. Damien Steele didn't seem like the type of man who simply "warmed up." He was more like a glacier unyielding and frigid.

But I wasn't one to back down.

"I can handle it," I said confidently, squaring my shoulders.

Mrs. Steele's lips curved into a sly smile. "That's the spirit, dear. Go after him. Show him you're not easily deterred."

I didn't need her permission, but I appreciated the sentiment. Taking a deep breath, I adjusted my heels and followed after him.

The hallway seemed endless as I hurried to catch up with him. He moved like a storm fast and angry and I had to practically jog to keep pace.

"Mr. Steele!" I called out, my voice echoing in the grand hallway.

No response.

"Damien!" I tried again, louder this time. Still nothing.

He didn't even glance back, his broad shoulders rigid with tension.

Frustration bubbled up inside me, but I forced it down. I wasn't going to let him ignore me.

Then it hit me. If I couldn't get his attention the polite way, I'd have to take a different approach. Something bold. Something he couldn't ignore.

"Is this because of Sophia Reed?" I said loudly, the words slicing through the silence like a knife.

That did it.

Damien stopped dead in his tracks, his entire body going stiff. Slowly, he turned to face me, his eyes blazing with anger.

"What did you just say?" he demanded, his voice low and dangerous.

I swallowed hard but refused to back down. "You heard me," I said, meeting his glare head-on. "Is this because of Sophia Reed?"

His jaw clenched so tightly I thought it might snap. "You don't know what you're talking about," he growled.

"Don't I?" I challenged, stepping closer. "Everyone knows she's your PR strategist, but I'm not stupid. There's more to it, isn't there? You're defending her like she's something special."

His eyes narrowed, and for a moment, I thought he might actually explode. "You have no idea what you're talking about," he said again, his voice colder this time.

I smirked, refusing to be intimidated. "Maybe. But she's obviously under your skin, and it's making you blind to everything else."

"That's enough," he snapped, his tone final.

But I wasn't finished.

"Look," I said, softening my tone slightly. "I'm not here to fight with you. I'm here to make a deal."

His brows furrowed, suspicion flickering in his eyes. "A deal?"

I nodded. "Give me one week. Let me stay with you, work alongside you, whatever you want. If, at the end of that week, you still can't stand me, I'll leave. No strings attached."

He stared at me like I'd just sprouted a second head. "You're insane," he muttered, shaking his head.

"Maybe," I admitted with a shrug. "But what do you have to lose? It's just a week."

For a moment, I thought he might actually consider it. But then he turned on his heel and walked away without another word.

I watched him go, my heart pounding in my chest. He hadn't agreed, but he hadn't outright refused either.

That was something.

I turned and headed back to Mrs. Steele, determination burning in my veins. This wasn't over. Not by a long shot.