Chapter 1 - Millicent

“You can do this, Millie. Just… Breathe.”

Millicent muttered to herself, hoping her frantic thoughts might drown out the murmurs and sharp looks that followed her the instant she crossed the hallway. 

“Oh, it looks like daddy’s little princess insisted on coming to yet another meeting… What do you think?” a female voice asked, mischievously “Is she finally going to present something today? Or just lean on Mr. Carnby’s work, as always…?”

“Are you crazy?!” another woman gasped “Lower your voice! Mr. Bianchi may not be here today, but he will definitely know if any of us are caught talking shit about his daughter!” 

It would have been very easy for Millicent to simply turn around and confront them. However, since the last thing she wanted was to see someone on their knees, begging her to save their jobs, she just continued on her way, silently. Presenting her project was the only thing she should worry about and the only reason she was fighting her heavy eyes and her tired body. It had taken countless sleepless nights, but even her fiancé, Austin, who was an incorrigible perfectionist, had said nothing but compliments since the last time she had asked him to help her review everything. 

Finally, she had managed to create something worthy of the Bianchi surname. Something that could make her father proud to have her in his company… 

And, with luck, maybe even prove to the other employees that she was worthy of being there. 

“Shut up, you useless piece of shit!” At the sudden sound of her fiancé's voice, Millicent's footsteps froze right in front of a door, where Austin's words only became clearer “I thought, after all this time, you would have at least learned where you belong. But, there you are. Opening a shitty business must have made you feel like you were on the same level of the real Carnbys, right?” 

“My business is shit, but you and Evan still made a point of finding out about it?” a deep, gravelly voice replied “I’m flattered.”

“There is nothing more insignificant to me and father than the bankrupt company that you decided to try to resurrect! I hope it was worth making our lives hell because of that inheritance, because that shit is all you'll have! As for me, I'm not here to beg for a few crumbs of investment, like you. Massimo Bianchi is my father-in-law! And, today, I will become the main project manager of his Group’s new company!”

“Evan’s partners are still not convinced of your ability to inherit his role, are they? They'd rather see you fail the Bianchis than fail with the Carnbys. A smart move.” the other man responded, cynically “Well, congratulations on your greatest achievement. I’m sure the position of trophy husband to the Bianchi’s heiress is highly sought after and you will do very well being supported by her family for the rest of your life.”

“You bastard…!” Austin yelled, followed by what sounded like the sound of a piece of furniture being thrown to the floor “If you open your mouth again to talk shit about me, I will…!”

“Austin!” Millicent hurried to open the door and, before she could realize what she was doing, her body was already between the two men, trying to prevent Austin from punching the stranger.

The man, however, didn't seem affected by that situation at all. Instead, he just extended his arm, pushing Austin away without much effort. His shoulders were broad and he was extremely tall, probably close to 6'2 or even taller. His suit was perfectly aligned, but still, a few tattoos were peeking out from his neck and wrists. If they had seen each other before, Millicent probably wouldn't have forgotten about an intimidating figure like that, however...

Trapped in those blue eyes, clear and cold as the sky on a winter's day, Millicent found herself thinking about the faded memories of a boy she thought she would never see again. And, even though she knew it was almost impossible for her to be right, her lips still formed a name on impulse.

“Isaac…?”

“You don’t need to act like you’re seeing a ghost, Bianchi.” He narrowed his eyes, harshly “Your boyfriend has already expressed his displeasure at knowing I'm alive.”

“Don’t you dare talk bullshit to my future wife!” Austin stepped forward, not looking too thrilled that his missing brother was right there in front of them “Unlike you, she's about to become a Carnby worthy of this surname. And, even though you certainly don’t deserve this vote of confidence… I feel obliged to hand this over to my only brother.” 

Fumbling in his jacket’s pocket for a moment, Austin pulled out an invitation to their wedding, extending it to Isaac. Millicent thought it was incredibly sweet he was happy enough to carry those invitations everywhere, but sometimes she wondered if it was really necessary for absolutely everyone they knew to be at the ceremony.

However, unlike the other guests, Isaac did not show the slightest bit of joy. Instead, he just roughly snatched the invitation from his brother's hands...

And tore it up.

“I see you haven't changed since High School, Bianchi.” he looked at her with contempt “You still settle for the worst possible choice. Well, I guess that's what makes you perfect for someone like Austin.” leaving Millicent frozen with his words, he just walked past her, heading towards the door. “Now, if you've had enough of disturbing me, I have a meeting I can't be late for.”

“This arrogant bastard…!” Austin muttered, bringing Millicent closer “I have no idea what brought him out of the depths of hell he hid in after running away from home or why he's here today. But, it’s more than clear he has not regretted any of the mistakes he made in the past. Stay away from him, baby. It’s the best we can do.” he sighed as he kissed her temple, but before Millicent could even organize her thoughts, Austin was already pulling her out of the office “Come on. We can't be late and miss the opportunity to watch that idiot's ego get trampled on by the new investor. Nobody knows much about him, but I've heard a lot of stories about him being quite strict.”

“Uh… Shouldn’t we call your father?” she asked, although Austin didn't seem to be paying attention "I mean, I know their relationship was never very close, but still, Isaac is the son Evan hasn't seen in almost six years..."

Her words died the instant Austin opened the meeting room door. However, it wasn't just the many executives and their assistants who were inside, including her friend Jasmine, Austin's secretary. Isaac was also there, but not sitting at a separate table, as was usually the case with businesspeople trying to secure some investment. He was perched at the end of the long table, with a confident posture, as if the entire hotel belonged to him.

“What do you think you’re doing?!” Austin scolded him, furious “How you dare…?”

“I would advise you to watch your tone when speaking to me, Mr. Carnby…” Isaac interrupted him “Whether I am the main investor in this company or not, I can always reconsider my decision to put my money into the Bianchi’s business.”

“What do you think you’re talking about…?!” Austin sneered, but when the other executives just remained silent, his ironic expression turned to horror.

“Oh, so the last name wasn’t just a coincidence?” one of the old men asked, seeming oblivious to the atmosphere that had taken over the room “I had almost forgotten that Evan had another son…”

“I came here to analyze project proposals, not to talk about my family tree.” Isaac said, his cold eyes still fixed on Austin “Sit down, Mr. Carnby. Since you seem so eager to be heard, we might start with your project as well.” 

Swallowing hard, Millicent followed her fiancé to the only two chairs still empty. Even though she knew that Austin had certainly created an incredible project after so many months of giving up their time together just to work, she could still feel his tension radiating, as his brother's merciless gaze was upon them. Wanting to show how much she trusted him, Millicent reached under the table for Austin's hand, while her fiancé forced a smile in front of the executives.

“It will be my pleasure.” he replied, turning to Jasmine “Please, Miss. Easton. Put on the screen the file we worked on.”

Still with her hand wrapped in his, Millicent stared at the projector beside them, certain that not even Isaac Carnby and the hurts he held about the past could be able to overshadow her fiancé's talent. However, as soon as the screen lit up, her smile gradually disappeared. 

Because, there, was the presentation of her project. With Austin’s name.