Eleanor, meanwhile, calmly lifted her teacup, took an unhurried sip, then set it back onto its saucer with a soft clink.
“Well,” she said pleasantly, “this is certainly turning into an interesting morning.”
Damien ended the call without another word.
The screen went dark as he slid the phone back into his coat pocket, movements unhurried—as if nothing of consequence had just been set in motion.
The room exhaled cautiously.
Maya forced herself to breathe.
She turned toward him, shoulders squaring despite the way her pulse raced.
“Damien… that was really unnecessary.”
His gaze shifted to her at once. Steady. Focused.
“I need to learn the competition,” he said evenly. “I don’t like losing, love.”
“It’s nothing,” she rushed on, softening her tone. “It was just… a fangirling moment, o
