Chapter 3The Wicked Game

My phone rang. It was Damian’s assistant.

“Miss Zoe, Mr. Blackwood requests your presence at the Azure Vista site for a preliminary survey.”

I raised an eyebrow.

So, he wanted to put me in my place in front of Alistair Finch while propping up his new muse.

“Of course,” I said sweetly.

After I hung up, Stella asked, “You’re not going alone, are you?”

“Of course not.” I grinned at her. “You’re coming with me. We’ve got front-row seats to the show.”

The project site was out in the countryside, a stunning expanse of rolling hills and pristine forest.

When we arrived, Damian and Jenny were already there, deep in conversation with an imposing, silver-haired man dressed in a minimalist linen suit. That had to be Alistair Finch.

The moment Damian saw us, his face darkened.

Jenny, on cue, adopted an expression of surprise mixed with gentle distress.

“Zoe? Stella? What are you doing here?”

“As a shareholder, I thought I should see the investment for myself. Isn’t that right?” I smiled.

Damian just grunted and turned his back on me.

Alistair Finch’s gaze drifted over us, cool and detached.

The survey began. Damian’s project manager led the way, while Jenny stuck close to Finch’s side, whispering her “insights” on the landscape in a voice as soft and sweet as honey.

“Mr. Finch, I envision a stream diverted through here, with a winding bridge. We could plant weeping willows along the bank to create a sense of… contemplative discovery.”

Finch remained noncommittal.

Damian, however, was beaming. “A brilliant idea, Jenny. Truly inspired.”

The group made its way to the edge of a steep cliff overlooking a deep, rocky ravine.

Jenny’s eyes flickered towards a small, unremarkable wildflower growing near the edge. Then, with a tiny, theatrical gasp, she stumbled, her body pitching directly towards the drop.

Damian moved like lightning, catching her and pulling her into a protective embrace.

“Careful! Are you alright?” His voice was thick with concern and adoration.

Nestled against his chest, Jenny’s face was pale, her voice trembling as if in shock.

“I… I saw the most unique flower over there. I just wanted a closer look, I didn’t realize the ground was so slippery…”

Right. The classic damsel-in-distress routine from the book. Too bad for you, sweetheart. I’m playing the villain now, and I’m not buying it.

Stella whispered in my ear, “The Academy owes her an Oscar.”

After soothing Jenny, Damian turned to me, his expression instantly turning venomous.

“Did you push her?”

The air went still.

Every single person turned to stare at me.

The project team looked terrified.

Even Alistair Finch was frowning, his sharp eyes fixed on me.

In Damian’s arms, Jenny trembled, burying her face deeper into his suit. Her muffled voice was a masterpiece of reluctant accusation.

“Damian, no, it wasn’t Zoe’s fault, please don’t blame her… I just lost my footing.”

Her defense did more to condemn me than any accusation could have.

Damian’s rage was palpable.

“Zoe. I warned you. Don’t you ever touch her.”

I stood my ground, silent and still.

Stella stepped in front of me, a protective shield.

“Watch what you say, Blackwood. There are a dozen witnesses here. Nobody saw anyone push anybody.”

“Besides her,” Damian sneered, “who else here can’t stand the sight of Jenny?”

“I can’t stand the sight of you,” Stella shot back without missing a beat.

“You—!”

“Enough.”

It was Alistair Finch. His voice was quiet but carried an undeniable authority.

He glanced at the edge of the cliff, then back at the spot where Jenny had pointed.

There was no “unique flower.” There was nothing.

A flicker of scrutiny crossed his face.

“We are professionals,” he said coolly. “Let’s keep our focus on the project, shall we?”

The master had spoken. Damian couldn’t press the issue further.

He shot me one last poisonous glare before leading the still-trembling Jenny away.

The farce was over. For now.