Claimed by My Ex's Half-Brother

Victoria’s POV: 𝐟𝚛𝕖𝚎𝕨𝗲𝐛𝚗𝐨𝐯𝐞𝕝.𝐜𝗼𝗺

"What new thing did you learn?" Damian asked with a hint of curiosity in his voice.

I deliberately lowered my voice, mimicking the tone of those flirtatious Omegas: "Oh, don’t tease. You’ll find out tonight."

"So I’ll have a pleasant evening tonight?" His smoky cedar scent intensified slightly as he moved closer.

I nodded. "Of course."

He would love my home cooking. How could he not?

"Well, I look forward to seeing what Miss Lancaster has prepared for me tonight." Damian agreed, while Catherine’s face beside us turned almost green.

This satisfied me greatly.

"Mr. Sterling!" Catherine protested. "Aren’t you supposed to—"

Damian cut her off before she could finish. "Do you have anything else to discuss?"

I could sense the tension radiating from Catherine.

I knew Catherine had checked Damian’s schedule earlier. He had a business dinner tonight.

"I—" she began.

"If there’s nothing else, apologize to Miss Lancaster and leave," Damian commanded, his Alpha authority subtly permeating his words.

"Apologize to her?" Catherine asked in shock.

"This was clearly your fault. You’ve been at Blood Moon Pack’s ME Corporation long enough to know that your words and actions represent this company. If everyone used their position to intimidate others like you just did, how would ME be different from any other company?"

Catherine gritted her teeth and reluctantly mumbled: "Sorry."

Her voice was so quiet that even with my enhanced wolf hearing, I could barely make it out.

I wasn’t going to let this slide. If someone owed me an apology, they should apologize properly, not half-heartedly.

"Mr. Sterling, do your ME employees always speak so quietly? When she first came in, her voice was loud enough for anyone to think she was ME’s CEO."

Catherine’s dislike for me clearly deepened. She said loudly: "I’m sorry."

I wasn’t one to hold grudges unnecessarily. We probably wouldn’t meet often in the future anyway, so I let it go.

Jeff quickly escorted Catherine out. I had only come to return Damian’s clothes, and since I’d done that, I was ready to leave.

"I’ve returned your clothes. I should go."

As I turned to leave, Damian called out: "Didn’t you say you were going to show me your new skills tonight?"

"I only said that to annoy her," I replied. "You surely noticed? Her hostility toward me is mainly because of you. Don’t tell me you didn’t realize she has feelings for you?"

"You used me to provoke her. Don’t you owe me compensation?" His lips curved into that half-smile that made his wolf Arthur flicker in his eyes. "Besides, you still owe me a meal."

"Give me your address. I’ll come over tonight."

How convenient, since we lived in the same neighborhood.

"What are your plans for this afternoon?" Damian asked.

"Nothing special, just work." I still needed to go back to Lancaster to review some documents.

"Then don’t go back. Your boss has always wanted to cooperate with ME, right? I’ll have Jeff contact your supervisor and tell them you’re spending the afternoon pleasing a client."

He deliberately emphasized "pleasing a client," making it sound more intimate than it should.

"No—no need," I quickly objected. "I’ll handle it myself."

I hadn’t coordinated with Kane yet, and if he said something wrong, my cover would be blown. One lie always required more lies to maintain it.

That afternoon, I lounged in Damian’s office, examining the classics and financial textbooks arranged on his bookshelves.

There were books in multiple languages—not just English, but French, German, and others I couldn’t even identify.

"If I browse through these books, you won’t accuse me of stealing company secrets, will you?" I asked before touching anything.

"If you could actually steal my company’s secrets that way, I’d be impressed," he replied with a slight curve of his lips.

"Well, then I’m browsing." I began flipping through the books on his shelf.

I had read many of them before. Some of the financial theories were indeed impressive.

While I was reading, Damian placed two folders in front of me. "These might interest you more."

"What are these?" I picked them up and flipped through them, finding they contained classic financial case studies.

Upon examination, I realized these financial turnarounds were executed brilliantly. How had someone predicted market movements so accurately? These real examples far exceeded the theoretical knowledge in those books!

The files included analysis and summaries. A realization struck me, and I looked up sharply at Damian. "Don’t tell me you orchestrated all these cases?"

Damian smirked. "Those books you were reading are common knowledge. This is Mr. Sterling’s exclusive analysis—not available to the public."

"If it’s not available to the public, why show it to me?"

"You’re my brother’s ex. Technically family. Doesn’t count as public."

I gritted my teeth. "Just because of that ’brother’s ex’ comment, when I become a financial mogul myself, I’ll do two things. First, I’ll take over Sutton Group."

Damian’s lips curved upward. "And the second? Thank me properly?"

"Second, I’ll acquire your company and make you work for me!"

If I could actually acquire ME Corporation, I would have truly achieved something remarkable.

Damian chuckled. "Acquiring my company is unlikely, but if you want to personally acquire me... I might consider granting your wish."

I stared at him, speechless.

"Never mind then," I firmly refused. I just wanted to make Damian work for me so I could ruthlessly boss him around!

I settled into his couch and spent the entire afternoon reviewing the materials.

I was so focused that I didn’t notice Damian glancing at me from time to time. When I concentrated, I tended to remain completely still, with only my long lashes occasionally blinking or my teeth lightly biting my lower lip. A few strands of hair fell across my face, brushing my cheeks, but I was completely oblivious.

The atmosphere felt strangely peaceful, as if time had slowed down for us.

Damian was known for his intense focus on work, never allowing distractions, yet this time, his gaze kept drifting toward me.

I noticed this.

As the workday neared its end, Jeff knocked and entered: "Mr. Sterling, about tonight’s dinner meeting..."

"Cancel it," Damian replied without hesitation.

Hearing this, I looked up, surprised. So Damian did have plans tonight.

"Understood." Jeff quickly left the office.

Damian efficiently wrapped up his work. When closing time arrived, he crooked his finger at me: "Well then, little she-wolf, time to go. Have you decided how you’ll entertain me with your new skills tonight?"