Chapter 9
The revelation of Damien Blackwell’s involvement shifted everything. Hadley could feel it in her bones — this wasn’t just about Linda’s petty jealousy anymore. This was war.
Eric paced the room, his hands clenching and unclenching at his sides. “Damien was once my closest friend,” he muttered. “We grew up together. I trusted him like a brother.”
Hadley sat quietly, watching him. She could see the betrayal weighing heavily on him.
“But somewhere along the way,” Eric continued, “he changed. Power, money… it all went to his head. When I refused to back one of his shady business deals years ago, he swore I’d regret it.”
Hadley’s eyes narrowed. “And now he’s using Linda to get to you. To get to us.”
Eric nodded grimly. “He’s smart. Ruthless. He knew that destroying you would hurt me far more than any business loss ever could.”
That night, they strategized. They couldn’t just walk into Damien’s world unprepared — it would be like stepping into a lion’s den.
Eric suggested they play along, act unaware of Damien’s role while gathering more evidence. It was dangerous, but it was their best shot.
And so, the next day, Hadley put on her finest armor: a sleek black dress, heels sharp enough to kill, and a smile that could cut through steel. She would not be seen as weak. Not anymore.
She accompanied Eric to an exclusive gala hosted by none other than Damien Blackwell himself.
The gala was pure opulence. Chandeliers glittered overhead, and champagne flowed like rivers. Cameras flashed as celebrities, politicians, and businessmen rubbed elbows, all pretending not to see the corruption festering just beneath the surface.
Hadley kept her composure, even when her eyes locked with Linda’s across the room. Linda was draped in diamonds, her smirk dripping with malice.
Hadley turned her back on her, refusing to let Linda see a flicker of doubt.
Instead, she focused on Damien.
He was tall, with a commanding presence and a smile so polished it almost seemed sincere. Almost.
“Eric!” Damien called, his arms wide as if greeting an old friend. “And you must be the infamous Hadley.”
Hadley met his gaze coolly. “Infamous? You flatter me.”
Damien chuckled, his eyes glinting dangerously. “I only speak the truth.”
They exchanged pleasantries, each word sharpened like a knife. It was a game of masks — and Hadley had learned how to wear hers well.
As the night wore on, Hadley and Eric subtly maneuvered through the crowd, gathering whispers, snippets of conversations, anything that could expose Damien’s network.
Every move had to be careful, calculated.
And then it happened.
A slip.
A drunk businessman, trying to impress Eric, let it spill.
“I hear Damien’s got big plans,” he slurred. “Knocking over a few dominoes… replacing a few key players… all thanks to that little scandal with the nightclub star. Smart move, really.”
Eric’s hand tightened around his glass. Hadley leaned in with a polite laugh, coaxing the man to keep talking.
By the end of the conversation, they had confirmation: Damien wasn’t just targeting Hadley — he was using her downfall to destabilize an entire network of rivals. Hadley was merely the first step.
Later, in the privacy of their car, Eric turned to Hadley.
“This is bigger than we thought. Damien’s building an empire — and he doesn’t care who he destroys to do it.”
Hadley stared out the window, the city lights blurring past.
“He’s using my name,” she said, her voice low. “He’s using the pain he caused to climb higher.”
Eric reached for her hand. “Not for long. We’ll bring him down.”
Hadley squeezed his hand back, the fire inside her burning brighter than ever.
“I’m ready,” she said fiercely. “Let’s end this.”
The battle lines were drawn.
Hadley was no longer the naive girl who had been pushed aside.
She was a storm, and she was about to strike.