Chapter 4
The city had not stopped talking about him.
Every business headline that morning carried the same name.
Moretti Returns to the Industry
Investors Flock to Damon Moretti
The Most Powerful Man in the City Is Back
Elena tossed the tablet onto her desk with irritation.
Of course.
Of course he would make a spectacle out of simply existing.
Damon Moretti had been back in the industry for exactly twenty-four hours, and already half the corporate world was lining up to work with him.
It was ridiculous.
Infuriating.
And worse—
Some of the companies contacting him were their partners.
Her assistant knocked lightly on the door.
"Ms. Laurent, the board wants to confirm tonight's event."
Elena straightened in her chair.
"The investors' gala?"
"Yes."
She sighed.
Of course there was another event.
Business in this city never stopped performing.
"Everything is prepared?" Elena asked.
"Yes, ma'am."
The assistant hesitated.
"Elena… Mr. Moretti will be attending."
Elena closed her eyes briefly.
"Of course he will."
Evening — The Imperial Grand Hotel
Crystal chandeliers illuminated the enormous ballroom.
The annual investors' gala was one of the most important events of the year. CEOs, politicians, billionaires—everyone attended.
Elena stood near the entrance beside her fiancé.
Matteo Ricci adjusted his cufflinks.
"You look beautiful tonight," he said.
Elena gave him a small smile.
She wore a deep emerald dress that hugged her waist and flowed to the floor. Elegant. Powerful.
Not soft.
Never soft at events like this.
"Thank you."
Guests continued arriving.
Handshakes.
Polite smiles.
Business greetings disguised as compliments.
Then suddenly—
The noise in the ballroom changed.
Not louder.
But… focused.
Like a ripple moving across water.
Elena frowned.
She didn't need to turn around to know why.
The whispers began instantly.
"Is that him?"
"That's Damon Moretti."
"Oh my God…"
"He's even more handsome than the rumors."
Elena slowly turned toward the entrance.
And there he was.
Damon.
Tall.
Broad shoulders filling out a perfectly tailored black suit.
No tie again.
Dark hair slightly messy like he had just run his fingers through it.
He walked into the room with calm confidence, like he owned every inch of space around him.
Investors immediately approached him.
Women smiled a little too brightly.
Businessmen suddenly looked eager.
Damon didn't seem impressed by any of it.
His expression remained relaxed.
Almost bored.
Until—
His eyes landed on Elena.
For a brief moment the room disappeared.
Then he looked away like nothing had happened.
Matteo stiffened beside her.
"I hate that man," he muttered.
Elena kept her voice calm.
"He hasn't even spoken yet."
"He doesn't need to."
Across the room, Damon shook hands with several executives.
Within minutes a small circle had formed around him.
People laughing.
Listening carefully.
Trying to impress him.
Elena scoffed quietly.
"He enjoys attention."
Matteo shook his head.
"No."
He watched Damon carefully.
"He just knows how to control it."
Later That Night
Elena stepped away from the crowd for a moment.
She needed air.
Business events always felt like performances.
She walked toward the balcony doors.
But just as she reached them—
A familiar voice spoke behind her.
"Running away already?"
She didn't turn around.
"Don't flatter yourself."
Damon stepped beside her.
The balcony doors opened as they walked outside.
Cool night air wrapped around them.
City lights stretched endlessly below.
Elena leaned against the railing.
"What do you want?"
Damon stood beside her.
Not too close.
But close enough to be irritating.
"I came to talk."
"You had your chance."
"That was business."
"And this isn't?"
He looked at her.
Directly.
"No."
Elena frowned.
"Then what is it?"
"Curiosity."
She laughed lightly.
"You're curious about me?"
"Yes."
She crossed her arms.
"That's unfortunate."
"Why?"
"Because you're wasting your time."
Damon studied her for a moment.
"You hate me."
"Yes."
"Because of our families?"
"Yes."
"That's boring."
Elena turned to him sharply.
"Excuse me?"
"Family grudges are predictable."
His voice remained calm.
"Most people inherit them without questioning anything."
"And you're different?"
"I prefer personal reasons."
Elena rolled her eyes.
"You're unbelievably arrogant."
"And you're pretending not to be interested."
Her jaw tightened.
"I'm not."
"You are."
She stepped closer.
"Listen carefully, Moretti. I don't trust you. I don't like you. And I definitely don't want anything to do with your company."
Damon didn't react.
He simply watched her.
"You talk a lot when you're angry."
"I'm not angry."
"You are."
She glared.
"You're insufferable."
"And yet you're still standing here."
Elena opened her mouth—
Then stopped.
Damn it.
He had a point.
She pushed away from the railing.
"This conversation is over."
As she walked toward the door—
Damon spoke again.
"Your fiancé doesn't like me."
She froze.
Slowly turning back.
"That's none of your business."
"Everything connected to you is my business if our companies merge."
"They won't."
"We'll see."
Elena's patience snapped.
"You're unbelievably confident for someone who just returned to the industry."
Damon's gaze darkened slightly.
"I didn't return to compete."
"Then why?"
His answer was simple.
"To win."
For a moment neither of them spoke.
The tension between them thickened again.
Then suddenly—
The balcony door opened.
Matteo stepped outside.
His eyes immediately moved between them.
"Elena."
She straightened.
"Matteo."
Damon nodded slightly.
"Ricci."
Matteo's jaw tightened.
"What are you doing here?"
"Talking."
"You've done enough of that."
Elena sighed quietly.
"Matteo—"
But Matteo stepped closer.
His voice was calm.
Too calm.
"I think the conversation is over."
Damon didn't move.
Didn't react.
But the air between the two men shifted.
Like two predators silently measuring each other.
Elena stepped between them.
"That's enough."
She looked at Damon.
"You should go."
He held her gaze for a moment.
Then nodded once.
Without another word, he walked back into the ballroom.
Matteo watched him leave.
Then turned to Elena.
"You shouldn't be alone with him."
She sighed.
"I can handle myself."
"I know."
His voice softened slightly.
"I just don't trust him."
Elena glanced back toward the ballroom.
Where Damon had already become the center of attention again.
People surrounding him.
Trying to talk.
Trying to impress him.
She frowned slightly.
"I don't either."
But something about him bothered her.
Not fear.
Not attraction.
Something else.
Something she couldn't quite explain.
And somehow she had a feeling—
.