Shadows of the Billionaire Chapter 2
Chapter 2: "Welcome to the Empire"
Sophia’s heels clicked against the polished marble floors of Cole Industries’ towering skyscraper. She paused to glance up at the impossibly high ceiling, where a crystal chandelier reflected the light like a thousand tiny suns. The air was cold, sterile, and heavy with the unmistakable scent of power.
As the elevator doors opened, a wave of nerves washed over her. What had she gotten herself into? Taking this job had been a reckless decision, one born out of desperation and fury. Yet here she was, stepping into Damien Cole’s empire, determined to bring him down from within.
"Miss Evans?"
Sophia turned to find a woman in a sharp navy suit. Her hair was pulled back into a severe bun, and her expression was as frosty as the air conditioning. "I’m Ms. Harper, Mr. Cole’s executive assistant. Follow me."
Sophia nodded, clutching her bag tightly as she trailed Ms. Harper through a maze of glass-walled offices. Everyone they passed seemed to move with a purpose, their gazes sharp and unyielding. It was a stark contrast to the warm, chaotic energy of her father’s gallery.
When they reached Damien’s office, Ms. Harper stopped abruptly and gestured toward the massive double doors. "Mr. Cole is waiting. Try not to be late again."
"I wasn’t late—" Sophia started to protest, but Ms. Harper had already turned and walked away.
Taking a deep breath, Sophia pushed the doors open.
The office was as intimidating as the man who owned it. Floor-to-ceiling windows offered a breathtaking view of the city skyline, while sleek, minimalist furniture gave the space a cold, modern edge. Damien stood near the window, his back to her, hands tucked into his pockets. He didn’t turn as she entered.
"You’re ten minutes early," he said, his voice as smooth and controlled as ever.
Sophia frowned. "I thought you’d appreciate punctuality."
"I do," Damien replied, finally turning to face her. His gray eyes locked onto hers, and for a moment, she forgot how to breathe. "But arriving early is just as disruptive as arriving late. It shows impatience."
She clenched her jaw. Of course, he would find a way to criticize her for being early. "Noted," she said, forcing a polite smile.
Damien gestured toward the desk in the corner of the room. "That’s where you’ll work. Your duties include managing my schedule, handling correspondence, and ensuring that my instructions are executed without question."
Without question. The phrase bristled against her independent nature, but she bit her tongue.
"And if I have questions?" she asked, lifting her chin defiantly.
Damien’s lips curved into a faint, almost mocking smile. "You won’t."
Sophia took a seat at the desk, her eyes scanning the monitors already filled with endless emails, calendar notifications, and to-do lists. It was overwhelming, but she wasn’t about to let him see her struggle.
"One more thing," Damien said, his tone sharp enough to make her look up. "I don’t tolerate mistakes. Not even on your first day."
"Understood," Sophia said, her voice steady.
"Good." He walked back to his desk and sat down, his focus already shifting to the papers in front of him. "Ms. Harper will bring you a list of tasks. Get started immediately."
Sophia nodded and turned her attention to the computer screen. As she began sifting through the mountain of information, a strange mix of anger and determination bubbled within her. He thought he could intimidate her, control her. But she wasn’t here to be his obedient assistant. She was here to find answers.
The hours dragged on, each task more tedious than the last. Ms. Harper’s presence was a constant shadow, her clipped instructions making it clear that failure was not an option. By lunchtime, Sophia was exhausted but no closer to uncovering anything useful.
"Miss Evans," Ms. Harper said, appearing suddenly beside her desk. "Mr. Cole has requested your presence in the conference room. Now."
Sophia hurried to gather her things, her heart racing. As she entered the conference room, she was met with the sight of Damien standing at the head of a long table, flanked by a team of sharply dressed executives. His presence dominated the room, commanding attention without effort.
"Take a seat," Damien said, his gaze flicking to her briefly before returning to the documents in his hand.
Sophia slid into a chair at the far end of the table, feeling completely out of place. The meeting began, a whirlwind of terms and strategies she didn’t fully understand. But what struck her most was Damien himself. He was ruthless, cutting down objections with a sharp wit that left no room for argument. Yet there was something else—moments when his mask slipped, revealing a flicker of something deeper. Regret? Pain?
She shook the thought away. Whatever haunted Damien Cole, it wasn’t her concern. Her mission was clear: find evidence of his guilt, expose him, and restore her father’s legacy.
As the meeting ended, Damien approached her, his expression unreadable. "Stay behind."
Sophia’s pulse quickened. She waited until the room emptied before meeting his gaze.
"You handled yourself well today," he said, surprising her.
"Thank you," she replied cautiously.
"But don’t think for a second that means I trust you," Damien added, his tone icy. "Trust is earned, Miss Evans. And so far, you’ve done nothing to earn mine."
The words stung, but Sophia refused to let it show. "Noted," she said evenly.
Damien studied her for a moment, his gray eyes searching hers. Then he nodded. "Good. You’re dismissed."
As Sophia left the conference room, her mind raced. Damien Cole was a puzzle, one she couldn’t afford to underestimate. But no matter how complex or dangerous he was, she wouldn’t back down.
Not until she uncovered the truth.
