CHAPTER 3

Danielle

I blinked as the cameras flashed continuously. Jayden was by my side. That was enough to make me smile. 

“One more question!” Another journalist practically screamed, and I gave him a small nod. 

“You survived a ghastly accident like that. Do you think your parents would have changed their minds about handing the company over to you?”

I gave him a small smile. “Why don't we leave that as a mystery? For now, I'm just glad I survived.”

There was no way I was going to make the same mistakes again. That was my mantra ever since I woke up on that hospital bed. I was yet to trust my new family wholely. Outsiders were out of the question. 

It was already a week since I had been with the Carters. Well, my family. I was still used to calling them that. 

To keep up the profile, I even had to do a quick research about Melanie Carter. I didn't know what to think about what I saw. She was a spoilt brat. That much was very clear from the late club nights that she continuously posted. For her parents to hand over the company to her, then she had to know something about business. Or a lot. Something that I had ample knowledge on. 

If there was one thing I knew, it was the benefit that came from staying with Cole. I got an insight on the business, how to handle stocks and trades. And now that I was a Carter, it was right about time to put it into good use. It was time to be in control of something for the first time. 

But there was more to be done before and after that. 

“It's finally over,” Jayden breathed as the journalists slowly started to disperse. Just as we expected, they were out for blood. And I wasn't willing to give it to them. 

“Now,” I started. “I would like to hear why you didn't want to take over the company when it's obviously your right. I mean, you're older.”

Jayden groaned, closing his brown eyes. They were being extremely patient with me. After all, I was supposed to be their beloved daughter. I was filling in that role as much as I could. But whenever I saw the affection in their eyes, it just made it hard to keep up the lie. I could barely count how many times I planned on telling them the truth. 

It had already been two weeks. 

Jayden took my hand, leading me to the car. The driver opened my side of the door immediately. I was still getting used to that part. 

“Well, the pressure from mom and dad was too much to begin with. I knew that I wasn't going to go through that.”

I smirked. “So it was easier to shift the responsibilities to me?”

He grinned in response. “You studied business. I would rather be your assistant than get involved in mom and dad's business.”

“You have your own business though,” I pointed out. That was one of the things I learned about him during my G****e search.

“Running on my own money, yes.”

I leaned back in my seat. He didn't want to rely on his parents. A part of me was glad to have a brother like him. 

“Oh, and I forgot to tell you. Grandfather is around. And he wants to meet with you.”

Even if I didn't know who this man was, there was an uneasy feeling that I got. Something that told me that I didn't like him, and he wasn't going to like me. 

“We're home, ma'am,” the driver called out, and Jayden got out of the car before me. 

“You coming?” He asked, and I nodded. I got out of the car, smoothening my dress before taking a step into the mansion. 

That was another thing I was trying to get used to. I was used to a t-shirt and jeans. Cole never took me anywhere. But now, I wore a dress worth more than thrity thousand dollars for fun. 

I ran my hands through the marbles as usual, following Jayden. My mother was the first person to stop me. 

“You've heard right?” She said, with tension in her voice. 

I nodded at her. “Grandpa is around. Did I do something?”

She shook her head, placing a hand on my shoulder. The familiar warmth was gone, replaced by the last thing I wanted to see on her face. 

Pity. 

“You know that he doesn't like you. And he has been more than skeptical about you being in charge of the company.” She hesitated. “He wanted Jayden right from the beginning. I believe he wants to discuss that with you.”

I exhaled sharply. This is what I was getting into? A grandfather that didn't even trust my judgment on the business? I was barely even done with coming up with phase one of my plan. Well, judging from Melanie's I*******m life, I couldn't blame him much.

I found myself tipping my chin, giving my mother a small smile. “I'm sure I can handle him.”

With that, I walked past her, right into the huge living room. The anger from why I was still living was the push that I needed. My footsteps echoed through the hall. I could feel my mom walking right behind me. 

My eyes took in the man in the living room. He was the splitting image of my father. Just a little older with hair greying at the temples. He was seated on one of the chairs, pausing mid conversation with my dad. 

I gave him a small bow, with a small smile on my lips. 

“Hello, grandfather,” I said calmly. 

His lips were twisted in a sneer. “Melanie,” he said. I could literally taste the disgust in his voice. “You survived.”

A shiver ran through my spine, and my fake confidence faltered. That sounded like the kind of response that Cole would have given. 

I tipped my chin again. “You would rather have me dead?” I asked, feigning innocence. 

“And you returned with even more disrespect than ever.”

I bit my lower lip, hoping they won't notice. I needed this man on my side. 

“I apologize.” He widened his eyes like he never for once expected an apology from me. “Mom said you had something to talk to me about.”

“Yes,” he said, clearing his throat. His eyes never left me. “There's an event coming up. The Blackwood's Charity Event. And you will be representing the family.”

“No,” my mom said immediately. “She can't go.”