Chapter 4 A Game of Revenge

Damian's POV

The party was as predictable as ever-an endless parade of shallow conversations, forced laughter, and people pretending they cared about anything other than their own reflections in the nearest mirror. I leaned against the balcony railing, nursing a glass of whiskey, my gaze sweeping over the crowd below.

These events always bored me, especially my family's gatherings as they were always less about celebrating and more about showcasing wealth and status. I usually avoided them, but tonight was different. Grandpa had insisted, and I wasn't in the mood for another lecture about "family obligations."

But I was just about to leave when I saw her.

She stood near the edge of the room, her posture stiff, her eyes scanning the crowd like she was looking for an escape. She didn't belong here-that much was obvious. Her dress was simple, elegant, but it lacked the ostentatious flair everyone else flaunted. She looked... real.

And then I recognized her.

Mandy.

I hadn't seen her in years, but I remembered her clearly. She was Nathan's fiancée back then, quiet and unassuming, always in the background while he soaked up the spotlight. Even now, she had that same air about her, like she was trying to shrink into herself.

But something was different.

She looked tired. Worn down. Like life had taken more from her than it had given.

My nephew, Nathan, was standing across the room with that smug grin I'd come to despise. He was with Mia, the golden child of the Gates' family, and they were playing their usual game-drawing attention, basking in admiration.

I watched as Nathan's gaze flicked toward Mandy. The smirk on his face deepened, and he whispered something to Mia, who laughed too loudly.

Pathetic.

I didn't know the full story, but I'd heard enough whispers tonight to piece it together. Nathan had dropped Mandy for Mia, and now they were parading their relationship in front of her like it was some twisted game.

My jaw tightened. Nathan had always been a selfish little brat, but this? This was low, even for him.

Then, I saw the moment Mandy tried to escape, her movements quick and uncertain. But Mia intercepted her, Nathan trailing behind. Even from a distance, I could see the cruelty in Mia's smile, the way she leaned in too close, her words sharp and cutting.

Meanwhile, Mandy stood there, her shoulders tense, her face pale while she was trying to hold her ground, but I could see the cracks forming.

That's when I decided to step in.

Not just because it was the right thing to do, but because I saw an opportunity. Nathan thought he could humiliate her and walk away unscathed. He thought he could get away with treating people like disposable toys.

But he was wrong.

So, I set my glass down and moved through the crowd, my presence parting the sea of guests like a knife through water. But by the time I reached them, the tension was thick enough to choke on.

"That's enough," I said, my voice cutting through the noise.

All three of them turned to look at me. Nathan's smug expression faltered, and Mia's confidence wavered. Mandy, on the other hand, just looked stunned.

"Uncle Damian," Nathan said, recovering quickly. "I didn't know you were here."

"Clearly," I said dryly, my gaze flicking to Mia. "You must be Mia. I've heard a lot about you."

She smiled nervously, clearly unsure how to read me. "It's nice to finally meet you."

I ignored her, turning my attention to Mandy. "Are you alright?"

She hesitated, her lips pressing into a thin line. "I'm fine."

Her voice said one thing, but her eyes told a different story.

"Good," I said, offering her my arm. "Let's get out of here. I think we've had enough of this circus for one night."

Mandy blinked at me, clearly unsure what to do. But then she slipped her hand into the crook of my arm, and I felt the smallest tremor in her fingers.

With that, I led her away, ignoring the stares and whispers that followed us as Nathan called after me, something about not making a scene, but I didn't bother responding.

Eventually, we ended up in the study which was the only quiet room away from the noise. Then, I poured her a glass of water and handed it to her, watching as she took a shaky sip.

"Thank you," she said softly, her voice barely audible.

I leaned against the desk, crossing my arms. "You shouldn't have come tonight."

Her head snapped up, her eyes narrowing. "Excuse me?"

"Don't get me wrong," I said, smirking. "You've got guts. But you're walking into the lion's den unarmed."

She bristled, her grip tightening on the glass. "I'm not afraid of them."

"No," I said, studying her. "But you're hurt. And they can smell blood."

Her lips parted like she wanted to argue, but she didn't. Instead, she looked away, her shoulders slumping.

"I just wanted to show them I'm not broken," she admitted, her voice barely above a whisper.

I nodded, understanding more than I let on. "Then stop playing by their rules."

She frowned, confused. "What do you mean?"

I pushed off the desk, walking over to her. "If you want to hurt Nathan, you don't do it by showing up and hoping he feels bad. You hit him where it hurts."

"And where's that?" she asked, her tone skeptical.

I smiled, slow and deliberate. "His pride."

She stared at me, her confusion deepening. "I don't understand."

With that, I reached into my pocket and pulled out my car keys and said to her. "Come on. I'll drive you home. We'll talk on the way."

"Okay....." She replied hesitantly as she walked side to side with me as we made our way to the car and sped off without wasting time.

However, the drive was quiet at first as the hum of the engine filled the silence and Mandy sat stiffly in the passenger seat, her hands folded in her lap.

I glanced at her as my mind already forming a plan. "You really want to get back at him?" I blurted out suddenly.

Then, she turned to me, her brow furrowing. "What are you talking about?"

I smirked. "Marry me."

Her eyes widened as her mouth fell open. "What?"

"Think about it," I said, keeping my tone casual. "Nothing would hurt him more than seeing you as his aunt. It's the ultimate blow to his ego."

She stared at me like I'd lost my mind. "You can't be serious."

"Oh, I'm dead serious," I said, my smirk widening. "But it's your call."

Hearing this, she didn't respond as her gaze were fixed on the road ahead while the silence stretched between us, heavy and charged.

Though, I didn't push her. I only planted the seed which I knew it would grow.

And by the time we reached her apartment with the help of her description, she still hadn't said a word in regards of my proposal to her. So, she stepped out of the car but paused before closing the door.

"Goodnight, Damian," she said finally, her voice steady but uncertain as I watched her walk inside.

Then, a small smile playing on my lips as I whispered to myself. "The game had begun."