Ofelia’s POV
The conference room felt too big and too quiet with just the two of us in it. I stood near the door, still clutching my notebook like a shield. Damien remained standing near the head of the table, his suit jacket tossed carelessly over a chair. The silence stretched between us, heavy and dangerous. My heart pounded so hard I could hear it in my ears.
Damien’s voice finally broke the quiet. “Why was Richard paying so much attention to you?”
I was stunned. “I didn’t do anything.”
He wasn’t listening. His jaw was tight as he started listing every little interaction from the meeting. The conversation in the lobby earlier. The smiles. The compliments on my outfit. The dinner invitation. His voice grew sharper with every word.
I tried to fight back. “I can’t control what other
