Chapter 15

Serena's smile faded and her expression turned serious. "I need you to investigate something for me about the Kade Corporation's fashion designs department. It's an old brand that's been playing it safe for years, especially in the last two. It's fallen from grace and for a brand as big as the Kade’s, that shouldn't be happening. I suspect someone might be sabotaging them..."

"Is that why you joined their fashion design department? Did Damien send you to investigate this matter for him?"

Serena shook her head. "Damien, that old fox. There's no way he'd let me handle something he wants to investigate himself! I think he brought me into the fashion design department to keep Katrina in check. If Katrina makes progress there, it could threaten Damien's position as the head of the family. By having me balance Katrina out, he can just sit back and reap the benefits..."

Maureen chimed in, "He doesn't know your true identity, does he? Sending you in to balance Katrina without knowing who you really are isn’ta smart move. What was he thinking? Where did he get the courage to send someone who knows nothing into that department?"

Serena sighed, feeling helpless. "At the time, I was in his office and overheard him discussing innovation issues with the fashion design manager. I made an offhand comment and he noticed something different about me. Next thing I knew, he put me in the fashion design department…”

Maureen looked at Serena and felt certain that the little yellow car outside was destined to be hers. She had a hunch that Serena, the sly fox, would eventually fall into the hands of Damien, the old fox.

The thought thrilled her even more. Two foxes battling it out and she'd be the one to benefit. Could anything be more entertaining?

"Alright, leave it to me. I'll have someone investigate for you, don't worry. But, won't joining the Kade's fashion design department expose your true identity?" Maureen asked.

Serena took a sip of her passion fruit lemonade and replied cheerfully, "It's just Katrina. Do you think I need to use that identity?"

Maureen cautioned, "But I've heard that Katrina graduated in fashion design and is a top student of a renowned professor. She must have some skills, right? Aren't you worried?"

Serena was unfazed. "Katrina tends to blow small things out of proportion. If she were that talented, she'd be in the sky by now."

Maureen blinked adorably. "So, you're saying the rumors about her being a fashion design master are just a sham?"

Serena gave a sly smile. "Whether it's a sham or not, we'll find out soon enough."

When Serena returned from her outing with Maureen, she opened the door and noticed an extra pair of men's shoes in the villa.

There was no doubt they belonged to Damien.

Well, well! What a rare guest indeed!

Since moving here, Serana could count on one hand the number of times Damien had returned home.

She tossed her bag aside, kicked off her shoes and dashed towards the bedroom, only to find it empty.

No one was in the bathroom or the living room, leaving just one last place to check.

Serena opened the door to the study and sure enough, there was Damien.

At that moment, Damien sat upright, holding an English book, wearing black-rimmed glasses. He exuded an air of restraint, his scholarly aura making Serena feel an overwhelming urge to jump on him.

And that's exactly what she did.

"Honey... you're back?"

Serena leaped into his arms, planting a kiss on his seemingly reserved face.

Damien didn't hold back either, wrapping his arms around her slender waist and pulling her closer.

Serena let out a soft moan, igniting a fire in Damien that had been simmering all day at the office.

The troublesome jeans were quickly discarded, leaving ripples throughout the room.

Damien finally used the position he'd been thinking about all day at the office and it was a transformative experience, almost sending him over the edge.

Neither wanted to concede, each determined to outlast the other.

But after what felt like three hundred rounds, both collapsed, ending in a draw.

In the end, it was Damien who showed a bit of decency by carrying her back to the room.

When Serena woke up, Damien was no longer in bed. She lay there, rubbing her sore back, cursing Damien for being such a brute.

Thinking about last night, when their passion was like a raging fire, Serena's face flushed with heat.

She patted her cheeks, "Serena, what are you getting all dreamy for? You're a sly fox and if you keep this up, you'll end up falling for that old fox's tricks. Stay sharp!"

Both of them were cunning foxes; neither should underestimate the other.

Suddenly, her phone rang. Serena lazily picked it up.

Damien's deep, lazy voice came through, "Awake yet? Remember, be at the office by nine sharp. Don't be late."

Serena lazily lifted her head and glanced at the clock on the table. Oh boy, it was already 8:30. She had thirty minutes left.

"Old fox, who's afraid of who..." she muttered, hanging up the phone before getting up to wash and get ready.

Damien, on the other end, wasn't upset by the abrupt hang-up. Instead, a wicked smile curled at the corner of his lips.

It seemed the little fox had taken the bait.

He was just waiting for her to get involved in this mess. Little fox, you won't let me down, will you?

"Achoo..."

Serena, who was brushing her teeth, suddenly sneezed several times in a row.

She couldn't help but frown. Could that old fox be up to some mischief again?

Old fox, just you wait. I'll make sure you fall into my trap.

Serena arrived at the fashion design department of the Kade Corporation right on the dot at 9 a.m.

The department wasn't short on staff, yet somehow two new people were squeezed in, both coincidentally named Vale.