The Master They Underestimated

Chapter 8

Just then, Melody stepped up beside Vanessa, gently tapping her shoulder and leaning in to whisper something quick and urgent into her ear.

​Vanessa listened closely, her expression shifting slightly before she turned to Damon with a bright, charming smile.

​"Dr. Callahan, feel free to look around. I need to take care of something inside. See you in a bit!"

​Damon nodded politely. "Of course, Miss Voss. Don't let me keep you."

​There was still some time before the charity reception officially began. More influential figures—all eyeing the valuable property on the outskirts of Bellamy City—continued to arrive. Before long, the VIP parking area was filled with high-end luxury vehicles.

​A sleek black Rolls-Royce pulled up to the front entrance, immediately drawing everyone's attention. As the door opened, a stunning woman in a pure white cocktail dress stepped out, her fair legs catching the soft evening lights. Her appearance drew soft gasps of admiration from the surrounding crowd.

​"What a beauty! Her posture is so elegant!"

​"That's the famous CEO of Whitlock Industries, Tessa Whitlock. Not only is she gorgeous, but her business instincts are sharp. She's definitely going after this prime real estate tonight."

​Another luxury sports car pulled up right behind the Rolls-Royce. Beckett Sloane eagerly jumped out and approached Tessa, stepping right into the center of attention beside her.

​"Tessa, you really know how to make an entrance. I swear you could be a top celebrity even if you weren't running Whitlock Industries!"

Beckett’s eyes couldn't hide his open admiration as he gazed at her. Tessa, however, looked visibly uncomfortable with how close he was standing.

"Let's focus on business, Beckett. And I think it's best we maintain some professional distance in public."

Beckett brushed off her concern with a smirking laugh. "What's there to worry about? Everyone in our circle knows how I feel about you, Tessa. Besides, you're single now. You finally dumped that broke doctor, so nobody can say a word."

Victoria chimed in from behind, eagerly supporting Beckett. "That's right, Tessa! Damon is completely out of our lives now. Plus, Beckett is our strongest partner. We'll need the Sloane family's backing for Whitlock Industries to win the project tonight."

From a distance, Damon watched Tessa, Beckett, and Victoria chatting and laughing while surrounded by other guests. He certainly hadn't expected to run into the woman who was once his fiancée in a place like this. He turned away, intending to leave the area and enjoy a quiet moment.

However, Tessa's eyes swept across the crowd and caught him.

"Damon... is that you? Wait right there!"

The click of high heels echoed against the pavement as Tessa hurried toward him, a look of uncertainty in her steps.

Damon cursed his bad luck silently before turning back to face her with a cold, unreadable expression. "What can I do for you, Ms. Whitlock?"

Tessa's confident smile faltered. "Damon... it really is you. A-Are you still angry with me?"

Damon took a quiet breath, quickly suppressing any lingering emotion. "You must be joking, Ms. Whitlock. A nobody like me has no right to be angry with the CEO of Whitlock Industries. If there's nothing else, I'll leave you in peace."

"Wait, don't go!" Tessa stepped forward, her tone turning stern and serious. "Even though our engagement is over, I always thought you were a good person, Damon. So please, listen to me just this once—why don't you just hand yourself in?"

Damon let out a short, cold laugh, genuinely amused by how clueless Tessa remained. Even now, she had no idea what was actually going on.

"Why don't you call the police right now and have them arrest me, Ms. Whitlock?"

Tessa was caught off guard by his tone, her face flushing with sudden anger. "Damon, why are you being so stubborn?! Even if you feel wronged by how things ended, that's no excuse to break the law! Listen to me. Return what isn't yours and face the consequences of your actions!"

Victoria and Beckett caught up with sharp, unfriendly looks on their faces.

"Tessa, why are you even bothering to speak with him?" Beckett sneered, stepping aggressively toward Damon. "A shameless, broke doctor daring to show up at an elite high-society event like this. Where do you get the nerve?"

Victoria chimed in, her voice dripping with sharp sarcasm. "Damon, did you follow Tessa here like a lost dog? It's embarrassing. I just don't get why you keep hanging around. It's pathetic."

Damon glanced indifferently at the arrogant man in front of him. "Didn't that slap earlier teach you how to behave, Beckett?"

Beckett's face instantly darkened with pure rage. "Tessa isn't here to protect you anymore! I'll cripple you right here in front of everyone!"

He raised a hand, signaling his family's bodyguards to move in on Damon.

Just then, a crisp, commanding voice cut through the tension.

"My, what a temper. What an impressive show of force... How dare you threaten my man?"

Vanessa Voss approached with an imposing, regal presence, her floor-length crimson gown commanding the attention of the entire courtyard. Flanked by Melody and a line of the Voss family's top private security, her hair was elegantly styled in an updo that highlighted her flawless features.

She was breathtakingly stunning.

Beckett stared at Vanessa, practically drooling. Another high-tier beauty had entered the scene, and he was completely mesmerized.

"M-Miss... what did you say?" he stammered.

Vanessa calmly glided to Damon's side, gracefully linking her arm with his and smiling sweetly at the group.

"I said, he's my man. Is that clear enough for you?"

Beckett snapped out of his trance, burning with sudden, intense jealousy. This broke doctor seemed to have unbelievable luck with women. He couldn't believe Damon had somehow landed a goddess like this right after breaking up with Tessa.

It felt completely unfair!

"Beautiful lady, here's some friendly advice," Beckett blurted out. "This guy is a deadbeat and a gold-digger! With your looks and status, he's not even fit to run errands for you!"

Victoria chimed in eagerly, "Sweetie, I don't know who you are, but be careful! This guy is a loser. He used to mooch off my daughter for years. You'd better stay far away from him before he tricks you too!"

Vanessa ignored both of them entirely. Instead, her sharp, violet eyes locked onto Tessa, a seductive, subtle smile spreading across her lips. Her sharp intuition picked up on the heavy history between Damon and this woman instantly.

Tessa met Vanessa's gaze with an icy, unyielding stare. The tension between the two women was thick enough to cut with a knife.

"Damon," Vanessa asked teasingly, her tone deliberately provocative as she looked up at him. "Aren't you going to introduce me to this lovely lady who seems to know you so well?"

Damon felt a slight headache coming on. He hadn't expected these two to meet, let alone for Vanessa to start playing up the drama so casually. She was clearly stirring up trouble for her own amusement.

"This is the famous CEO of Whitlock Industries," Damon said with a touch of dry irony. "Ms. Tessa Whitlock... My ex wife."

Vanessa let out a dramatic, melodic laugh. "Oh! So you're Ms. Whitlock! No wonder you're so beautiful. Well, I really must thank you, Ms. Whitlock! If you hadn't let Damon go, he and I might never have found happiness together!"