CHAPTER 3: A QUIET CALL FOR ASSISTANCE

"Why are you here, Ivanka?"

His piercing voice sliced like a cold dagger across the darkened study. With his fingers resting on the lip

of a whiskey glass that was halfway empty, Damian's sharp eyes met mine. Old wine and a deeper

scent—unspoken tension—filled the air.

I forced myself to look at him while swallowing. "I told you previously. I needed the work.

A little grin that didn't extend to his eyes curved his lips. "There's always a second explanation for

people like you. "What is it?"

My nails dug into my palm as I balled my hands into sts. "What do you mean ‘people like me’?"

He swirled the amber liquid in his glass while leaning back in his chair. "Desperate individuals. They

have ulterior intentions. They may be looking for money, a way out, or something else entirely.

I let out a deep sigh, not letting his comments disturb me. "Mr. Knight, I don't have any ulterior

intentions. I need a job, and your daughter needs assistance. That's all."

As if looking for a weakness in my determination, his gaze darkened and swept over my face. I was not

blinking. He chuckled softly after what seemed like an eternity. "You’re either a very good liar or the

rarest thing in my world—a decent person."

I didn't answer. I wouldn't reward him by responding to his pessimism.

"You should go to bed, Ms. Ivanov." His voice had changed to one of dismissal. "You have an early

morning." With my pulse racing, I pivoted on my heel and moved for the door. However, I was about to

grab the handle when I was startled by a whispery voice.

"Help me."

I turned around. Damian remained sat, his gaze inscrutable as he watched me. He had not moved his

lips.

"What did you say?"

His forehead furrowed. "I didn’t say anything."

I clenched my fingers around the doorknob. Was it my imagination? I could swear. No. Perhaps I was

simply deceiving myself with fatigue.

"Goodnight, Mr. Knight."

The unsettling feeling of that voice followed me like a shadow after I departed.

Olivia was abnormally quiet in the morning.

She was using a fork to absently push fruit bits about her plate as she sat at the breakfast table. She

had lost the mischievous light in her blue eyes and her typical dance.

"Not hungry?" I put down my coffee and asked.

She shrugged without raising her gaze.

"Olivia," I softly pushed. "Speak to me. What's the matter?

She looked toward the enormous windows that overlooked the garden, where Damian was standing

talking on the phone. The epitome of authority and control, he wore a sleek black suit. However, there

was something about Olivia's gaze on him that chilled me.

As if she was terrified of him.

"Liv," I leaned closer and whispered. "Is everything okay?"

After a moment of hesitation, she nodded too hastily. "I just don’t feel like eating."

I ignored it even though I didn't believe her. "All right. However, if you must speak... I'm present.

Before she slipped from the chair, she asked me a little, almost dejected grin. "I’ll be in my room."

I felt sick to my stomach as I watched her go. There was a problem. And I got the terrible impression

that Damian Knight was the main cause of whatever it was.

I decided to go about the estate that evening.

Despite its size, the mansion's opulence was unable to conceal the unsettling emptiness that pervaded

its corridors. The employees' voices were low. The presence of security officers at each entrance wasn't

only for show.

This was unlike any audience I had ever seen. This was a fortification, not simply a house.

I heard mued sounds coming from an oce as I rounded a bend close to the east wing. One

belonged to Damian. The other was the deep, strange voice of a guy.

I moved closer, leaning my back against the chilly marble wall, my curiosity winning out.

"Knight," he continued, "you're playing a dangerous game." "You can’t protect her forever."

My breath caught. Did they bring up Olivia?

"Stay away from my daughter." Despite being low, Damian's voice had a distinct edge.

A shivering laugh ensued. "That's not feasible, as we both know. You made a decision. Live with it now.

I barely had time to duck into a neighboring nook before the oce door opened as footsteps

approached the entrance. The dark lighting cast shadows on the face of a tall guy wearing a charcoal

suit as he marched out.

However, what I did witness chilled me to the bone.

His face conveyed a sense of ownership as well as authority. As if he had something to offer Damian.

As if he was aware of a secret that may ruin him.

A minute later, Damian came up, his eyes dark, his mouth clenched. I could feel the anger owing to

him in waves, even though he didn't see me as he passed.

Whatever was going on, it was more than simply business.

Furthermore, I got the terrible impression that I was suddenly involved in something far more

hazardous than I had ever thought possible.

Olivia had another nightmare that night.

When I heard her cries, I ran to her room and threw open the door to end her weeping while curled

into a ball under her cover. I gathered her little body into my arms and sat next to her.

"Shhh, it’s okay," I said while stroking her hair. "You're secure. I'm present.

She gasped, "He was there," in-between strained gasps. He was observing me. He promised to take me

away.

I tensed up. "Who? "Who said that?"

Her face was buried in my shoulder. "The man from Daddy’s once."

I felt a surge of fear go over me.

"Olivia… has he spoken to you before?"

After a moment of hesitation, she nodded against my shirt. "He instructed me to keep it a secret.

However, I don't want to accompany him.

My fingers clenched over her quivering body.

"You won’t," I said emphatically. "I swear. Nobody is going to take you anywhere.

But my thoughts were racing as I hugged her.

Who was that man? Why did Olivia think he could remove her?

It was obvious that I had to discover what Damian Knight was concealing. Because it wasn't just a

secret, whatever it was.

It served as a warning.

Furthermore, I wasn't certain that I was prepared to hear the truth.

As I was heading downstairs the next morning, I came to a complete halt.

Its front door was ajar.

Olivia had also left.