Share

Chapter 9

Author: Anang. K
last update publish date: 2025-12-24 05:54:23

POV: Damian

I couldn’t believe what my ears had just heard.

At that very moment, I thought I’d heard her wrong.

I leaned forward in my seat, my elbows resting on the table in front of me, my eyes locked on Madam Iris like she had just spoken another language and was trying to run away.

“What exactly do you mean by she doesn’t work here anymore?” I asked slowly, my voice low, controlled. Too controlled even for my own liking.

Madam Iris smiled. Not wide. Not kind. Just enough to tell me she knew
Continue to read this book for free
Scan code to download App
Locked Chapter

Latest chapter

  • BENEATH THE MASK    Chapter 98

    POV: AkaydaThe next morning came quietly.I didn’t sleep too late.I didn’t sleep too early either.And somehow… I was well rested.Even with everything that had happened.Even with all the thoughts spinning endlessly in my head.I still slept.Because I already knew what I was going to do.And once a decision is made… the mind finds a strange kind of peace.I stared at the ceiling for a few seconds before pushing the blanket off my body and sitting up slowly.“Okay…” I whispered to myself.No hesitation.No turning back now.I got out of bed and walked into the bathroom. The water ran over my skin, warm and steady, washing away the last traces of doubt.When I stepped out, I didn’t waste any time.I got dressed for work like every other normal day.Same routine.Same dress style.Same face in the mirror.But everything felt different.I picked up my bag and keys, took one last look at myself in the mirror, then walked out.The smell of food hit me immediately when I stepped into the

  • BENEATH THE MASK    Chapter 97

    POV: AkaydaI was still in Damian’s arms.His warmth wrapped around me.His scent.His steady breathing.Everything felt… right at that moment.For the first time in what felt like forever, my mind wasn’t racing. My chest didn’t feel tight. And I wasn’t scared.I just stood there.In his arms.Holding on.Holding him.And he held me just as tightly.Neither of us moved.Neither of us spoke.And neither of us heard the door to my office open.Or the footsteps that followed.Until—“What exactly am I viewing right now?”His voice cut through the silence.Sharp.Startling.We both pulled apart immediately.My heart jumped into my throat as I turned toward the door.My eyes widened in shock and fear.Why did he have to come in at this very moment?Everything hit me at once.Eric stood at the door with one brow raised as he looked at both of us with a faint smile on his face.His eyes moved from Damian…To me…Then back to Damian again.His expression was not so unreadable. He was trying h

  • BENEATH THE MASK    Chapter 96

    POV: AkaydaMy fingers were still gripping the hem of my shirt tightly; it felt like it would rip any minute.My heart was racing so fast like it was about to burst out of my chest.I stood there frozen, staring at Damian with wide eyes.But he wasn’t even looking at me.Not at my face.Not at my eyes.His eyes were fixed… on my waist.On the exact spot where my tattoo was.My breath caught.No. No. No…Slowly—very slowly—his eyes lifted and they met mine.“That tattoo…” he said, his voice low, controlled in a way that made it even more terrifying. “How long have you had it?”I blinked.My throat went dry instantly.I let out a small, awkward laugh.“What tattoo?” I said quickly. “I don’t have any tattoo.”His expression didn’t change.Not even a little.“Don’t lie to me.”His voice dropped filled with so much authority.“I know what I saw,” he said firmly.My heart pounded harder.“Now answer me,” he continued, his eyes locking into mine, “how long have you had that firefly tattoo?”

  • BENEATH THE MASK    Chapter 95

    POV: Damian The meeting room felt suffocating. Not because of the people inside it. But because of how calm everything looked on the surface. “Okay,” I said, flipping through the file in front of me, my voice steady, controlled. “That will be all for the advertising team.” The sound of papers turning filled the room and chairs creaked as they moved. But theirs eyes stayed on me. Always on me. I didn’t look up yet. I turned another page, scanning it briefly before continuing. “PR team,” I added, “prepare the PR materials and make sure the marketing team gets them by the end of tomorrow.” There were a few nods as some took down quick scribbles. “Good,” I said, finally lifting my eyes and looking around the room. “That will be all for now. We’ll have another meeting by Thursday to review each team's progress.” That was the signal. Chairs pushed back. People stood. Soft murmurs filled the room as they began filing out. It was a normal routine. Exactly how I liked it. Bu

  • BENEATH THE MASK    Chapter 94

    POV: AkaydaIt was presently Sunday evening and I was still on my bed.Exactly where I had been since Friday.Just curled up like a ball with my blankets over my head.I laid there staring at nothing… and yet everything at the same time.The room felt too quiet.Still.Silent.Like the air itself was watching me slowly lose my mind.I had not left my bed all weekend long.Not really.The only time I moved was when my body forced me to—bathroom trips, nothing more.Other than that?I stayed right here.With my thoughts.With the news.With the comments.God… the comments were something else entirely.It felt like I couldn't breathe just thinking about the comments I had read.Saturday had been the worst.I had spent the entire day reading them.Every single one.Scrolling endlessly.Destroying myself slowly.One comment had said—“She’s a slut. Obviously gives special services in those VIP rooms.”My fingers curled tightly into the bedsheet.Another one—“I know Jade Firefly. I go to t

  • BENEATH THE MASK    Chapter 93

    POV: DamianThe day had been… smooth. Smooth just the way it should be.And for the first time in a while, there were no random interruptions, no sudden crises, no unnecessary tension in the office. With Knight Enterprises now fully handling the Lincoln project, everything was finally under control.Exactly how I liked it.I sat behind my desk,looking at the screen in front of me, but my mind wasn’t on the work.My fingers moved unconsciously over my injured knuckles.The dull ache was still there.A reminder.Of last night.I leaned back slowly in my chair, exhaling through my nose.Beating Marcus had felt good.Just like last time.I wasn’t even going to lie about that.It had been satisfying.And definitely long overdue.But that wasn’t what was bothering me right now.Not even close.My jaw tightened.My mind went back to his last words just before he passed out.“She lied to you… I blackmailed her because she was jad—”I shut my eyes briefly.That sentence.That incomplete sente

  • BENEATH THE MASK    Chapter 50

    POV: AkaydaI turned and watched Jamila as she effortlessly weaved her way through the cafeteria with her tray balanced on her hands like she owned the whole place. Then she laughed at something one of her friends said, probably a friend from her office, then she tossed her fake blonde hair over

    last updateLast Updated : 2026-03-28
  • BENEATH THE MASK    Chapter 49

    POV: Damian“What did you just say?” My voice filled the room as I asked the question.Akayda nodded, her eyes still wide, I could still see the fear in them. She stood stiffly in front of her desk like she was expecting me to hit her or something.“Mr. D’Angelo is in your office right now, sir.” S

    last updateLast Updated : 2026-03-28
  • BENEATH THE MASK    Chapter 45

    POV: AkaydaThe sound of the car door closing softly filled the side of the street where the car was parked.I clenched my teeth as I pushed Damian's head gently into the back seat, my arms already paining me from his weight.He was really heavier than he looked.“Easy… easy,” I muttered under my b

    last updateLast Updated : 2026-03-27
  • BENEATH THE MASK    Chapter 47

    POV: Akayda I couldn't move.I just stood there completely frozen to the same spot, my eyes glued to the door even long after Vivian had walked out of my office.The soft click of the door closing shut behind her had echoed loudly in my ears than it should have. My heart was still beating fast, m

    last updateLast Updated : 2026-03-27
More Chapters
Explore and read good novels for free
Free access to a vast number of good novels on GoodNovel app. Download the books you like and read anywhere & anytime.
Read books for free on the app
SCAN CODE TO READ ON APP
DMCA.com Protection Status