Chapter Four: An Unexpected Ally

Claire’s alarm went off at 5:40 a.m. She stared at the ceiling for a moment before forcing herself out of bed. She was expected at Damian Sterling’s house by seven.

She got ready quickly, dried her red hair into soft waves, and left the apartment. The company car that had been assigned to her the evening before was waiting downstairs. The drive to his address took her into a quiet, expensive part of the city. The neighbourhood was isolated and still.

When she reached the gates of his modern mansion, they opened automatically. Claire drove in slowly, taking in the clean lines of glass and dark stone.

*Billionaires really do live in a different world,* she thought.

Damian was already waiting at the front entrance. His hair was still damp from a shower. He wore a loose black shirt with the top few buttons undone, exposing the clean line of his collarbone and the upper part of his chest.

Claire’s eyes caught on it for a second before she forced them up to his face. For the first time, she really looked at him. In the morning light he was unfairly handsome — sharp jaw, calm grey eyes, long lashes, and a perfectly structured face. Something tightened in her stomach.

“You’re on time,” Damian said. “That’s a good start. What’s my schedule looking like today?”

Claire held up the printed sheet and kept her voice steady.

“According to your schedule, you have a board meeting at 10:00 a.m., followed by a conference call with the Singapore partners at 11:30 a.m. This afternoon you are scheduled for a site visit at the East Coast facility in Philadelphia, along with a brief meeting with the regional directors. You are expected to return to New York by evening.”

Damian’s brows drew together slightly. “A trip to Philadelphia?” He held out his hand. “Let me see that.”

Claire passed him the paper. Their fingers brushed for a fraction of a second. The brief contact sent a small jolt through her, and she pulled her hand back a little too quickly.

Damian scanned the page. “I completely forgot about this.”

“Should I postpone it, sir?”

His eyes lifted to hers, cold and sharp. “You expect me to practice procrastination, Ms. Ellis? That goes against everything I stand for. Go start the car. I’ll be out once I’m ready.”

---

The drive to the office was quiet. Once they arrived, Damian went straight into his office. Claire settled at the secretary’s desk just outside, the dedicated phone sitting within easy reach.

It rang almost immediately.

“Ms. Ellis. Make me a cup of coffee. I need it now.”

“Yes, sir.”

She returned a few minutes later with a fresh cup from the office canteen and placed it on his desk. Damian took one sip. His expression shifted almost imperceptibly.

“Ms. Ellis.”

“Yes, sir?”

“What exactly is this?”

“Coffee, sir.”

“I can see that.” He pushed the cup away. “Did you taste it before bringing it to me?”

“No, sir.”

“Clearly.” His grey eyes returned to his laptop. “Go to The Sterling Room and get me a proper cup of coffee. Tell them to make it the way I like it.”

Claire blinked. “You want me to go all the way to The Sterling Room just for coffee?”

Damian slowly lifted his gaze. “Is there a problem with that, Ms. Ellis?”

“No, sir.”

“Then I suggest you get going. I don’t intend to spend my morning drinking something that tastes like burnt water.”

Claire forced a professional smile, picked up the rejected cup, and left. The moment she was in the hallway, the smile dropped.

*One morning. I’ve worked for this man for one morning and he’s already sending me across the city for coffee.*

When she returned with the new cup, Damian took a sip and gave a small, satisfied nod. Nothing more.

At 9:55 Claire checked her watch. “Sir, you have a board meeting in five minutes.”

Damian stood. “I’ll be going. Stay here and prepare everything for the Singapore call.”

“Yes, sir.”

She watched him leave, then let out a quiet breath. All that stress for a cup of coffee he only took one sip of.

---

At 11:25 a.m., Claire checked the conference room equipment one last time, ensuring the documents Damian needed were arranged neatly on his desk. She had also sent the Singapore partners a reminder about the scheduled call.

At exactly 11:30, the call began.

Claire sat at her desk outside Damian's office, keeping the relevant files open on her computer in case he needed anything. Through the partially open door, she could hear his calm, authoritative voice as he discussed delivery timelines, outstanding orders, and the company's expansion plans with the Singapore team.

The conversation lasted nearly forty minutes. Damian asked precise questions, challenged a few proposed deadlines, and made it clear that he expected the agreed targets to be met.

When the call ended, Claire entered his office to collect the documents.

“Has the site visit in Philadelphia been confirmed?” Damian asked, closing his laptop.

“Yes, sir. The facility manager confirmed your arrival, and the regional directors have been informed. I've also arranged the transportation and updated your schedule.”

Damian glanced at her. “Good. Have the documents ready before we leave.”

“They're already prepared, sir.”

He gave a brief nod and returned to his work.

Claire collected the remaining files and stepped out of his office.

At least the Singapore call went well, she thought. One less thing for him to complain about.

By 1:00 p.m. they were on the road to Philadelphia. The two-hour drive passed mostly in silence. Claire kept her eyes on the road, hyper-aware of Damian sitting in the passenger seat.

When they reached the East Coast facility, she waited in the car while he handled the site visit and meeting. Nearly an hour later he returned.

“Ms. Ellis. Find the highest-rated restaurants with class in the area. We’re having lunch.”

“Yes, sir.”

She started the car and followed the GPS to a refined restaurant in the business district. They had just stepped inside when a familiar voice cut through the chatter.

“Claire?”

She turned and froze.

Her parents were seated a few tables away.

“Mum? Dad? What are you doing here?”

Her mother’s expression immediately turned sharp. “We’re on our trip, obviously. Since you refused to give us the money, we borrowed it.”

Claire’s stomach sank. “You borrowed money that I’ll end up paying back. Unbelievable.”

“Enough of that,” her father cut in. His eyes moved to Damian. “What are you doing here? And who is this?”

Claire straightened. “This is Mr. Damian Sterling, the new CEO of Sterling Forge Industries… and my boss.”

Her father’s eyes widened. “Damian Sterling? As in the Sterling Royale Group?” He stood quickly, putting on a warm smile. “Please, sit with us. You’re here to eat, aren’t you? Join us.”

Claire’s pulse spiked. *Please say no. Please.*

Damian, who had remained silent until now, gave a small nod. “All right.” He unbuttoned his suit jacket and took the seat opposite her parents.

Claire sat beside him reluctantly.

Her father grinned. “Please, Mr. Sterling, order anything you like. It’s on us.” His expression hardened as he glanced at Claire. “You’ll handle the bill afterward.”

Claire’s jaw tightened.

Damian looked over the menu, then spoke calmly. “That won’t be necessary. I’ll take care of the bill. Please enjoy your meal.”

Claire released a quiet breath of relief.

Her mother turned a sugary smile on Damian. “Thank you for everything you’ve done for Claire. I know she can be hot-headed and… well, not the most competent, but you still keep her employed. You’re a very kind man.”

Claire’s hands curled into fists under the table. She couldn’t stay silent any longer. She stood up.

“That’s enough, Mum. I’m not going to sit here and listen to you talk about me like that. I work extremely hard to pay your bills and mine. I’ve been the breadwinner of this family for years while the two of you spend money like it appears out of thin air. You’re disappointing parents.”

The slap came hard and fast.

Her mother’s palm cracked across Claire’s cheek, snapping her head to the side.

“Shut up,” her mother hissed. “You think you’re better than us because you pay a few bills? We raised you. You owe us.”

The restaurant went quiet around them.

Damian stood.

His expression was cold, but his eyes were sharper than Claire had ever seen them.

“I think we’ll be leaving now.” He looked at her parents with open disdain. “I only started as CEO yesterday, but I’ve already reviewed Claire’s records. She is not incompetent. From what I’ve seen today, she’s a highly capable secretary.”

Claire stared at him, one hand still pressed to her stinging cheek, eyes burning.

Damian turned to her. “Let’s go.”

He walked toward the exit without waiting. Claire followed, her face hot with the imprint of the slap and something else she couldn’t name.

---

In the car, the silence felt heavier than before. Damian sat in the passenger seat, gaze fixed on the road ahead. Claire drove, sneaking small glances at him when she could.

*He stood up for me.*

*He said I was competent.*

The same man who had spent the entire morning being cold and demanding had just defended her in front of her parents.

Claire tightened her grip on the steering wheel, her cheek still burning, her thoughts a tangled mess.

She had no idea what to make of Damian Sterling anymore.