Marked By My Alpha Boss

Chapter 2

DAMIEN'S POV

I was just about to step back into the conference room when a voice caught my ear—faint, shaky, but unmistakable.

"I—I'm sorry. I tried to—"

I froze outside the door, my hand resting on the handle.

"Tried?" another voice cut in, low and vicious. I recognized it immediately—Joseph Kosturos. "You embarrassed me in front of Damien Domingo. You embarrassed the entire company!"

I pushed the door open a crack, just enough to see inside without drawing attention.

Anna Turner stood stiffly, her face pale, her hands clutching a folder like it was a lifeline.

Joseph was leaning in too close, his breath practically assaulting her.

"I did what you asked," she said, her voice tight but calm. "I presented the material. I stayed on point—"

"You stuttered like an idiot," Joseph spat, his face twisted in anger. Then, in one swift motion, he grabbed her arm. I saw the way his fingers dug into her skin, how she flinched but didn't cry out.

"You made us look weak," he sneered.

My hand clenched into a fist around the door handle.

"Mr. Kosturos, please," Anna whispered, her body leaning away, desperate to pull free. "You're hurting me."

Joseph's grip only tightened.

"Maybe if you spent less time batting your lashes at Domingo and more time doing your damn job—"

I had seen enough.

I stepped fully into the room, letting the door swing open with a soft thud.

Joseph jerked back instantly, letting go of her like she'd burned him. He slouched back in his chair, plastering a sickeningly fake smile across his face.

Anna cradled her wrist against her chest, her cheeks flaming with a mixture of shame and anger, as she took her seat beside him. She kept her eyes down, refusing to meet mine.

"Mr. Domingo," Joseph said, his voice smooth as oil. "Shall we continue?"

I let my gaze sweep the room, cold and sharp, pausing deliberately on Joseph before shifting to Anna and back again.

I didn't say anything. I didn't have to. The message was clear enough in the way I looked at him.

Joseph swallowed hard.

I crossed the room at an unhurried pace and took my seat, watching Anna from the corner of my eye. She was stiff, trembling slightly, her whole body screaming to be anywhere but here.

The others shifted uneasily in their chairs, pretending not to have noticed anything.

Cowards.

I settled back and let the silence stretch uncomfortably before speaking, my voice colder than ice.

"Proceed."

The next presenter stumbled through their slides, voice wavering. Then the third stood up, flipping nervously through his notes.

Meanwhile, my attention kept drifting back to her, the woman at the end. Anna Turner, if I remembered her introduction correctly.

She sat frozen, barely blinking, like a rabbit waiting for the fox to pounce.

When the third presenter finished, I laced my fingers together and set them on the table.

"Thank you," I said, voice polite. And then, without warning, I looked straight at Anna. "Ms. Turner. I'd like to hear more from you."

A few people twitched in their seats.

Her head jerked up, eyes wide with alarm. "M-me?" she stammered.

"Yes, you." I smiled thinly. "You assisted with the earlier presentation, correct? I'd like your perspective."

Joseph shifted next to her, clearly irritated, but said nothing.

Anna swallowed, straightened her shoulders, and nodded. "Of course, Mr. Domingo." Her voice was still soft, but steady now.

She launched into her explanation, clear, detailed, focused. There was no hesitation this time, no stumbling. Just raw intelligence.

Every answer she gave was sharp, on point. When I asked a follow-up question, she met me head-on with a thoughtful reply.

I leaned back, intrigued.

Not bad, Anna Turner. Not bad at all.

When she finished, the room sat in awkward silence. Joseph’s jaw was clenched so tight a vein was popping out at his temple.

I tapped the table lightly with two fingers. "Very good. I'll review everything and get back to your team by Friday."

Everyone began gathering their papers, murmuring polite thank-yous.

I was about to stand when, out of nowhere, Anna shot up to her feet.

"I'll excuse myself!" she blurted.

Without waiting for a response, she practically bolted for the door, her heels clattering wildly against the marble like she was being chased by a ghost.

The door slammed shut behind her.

The room froze again.

I let my hand drop from the table slowly, deliberately. My gaze settled on Joseph.

I let the silence stretch long enough to make everyone squirm. Then I stood up and adjusted my cuffs casually. "Thank you all for coming," I said. "We'll be in touch."

They filed out quickly, like rats leaving a sinking ship.

When they were gone, I stayed behind for a moment, alone in the empty room, staring at the door she’d disappeared through.

Anna Turner.

Something wasn’t right.

And I intended to find out exactly what.