The hunt for Mrs Blackwood

The first thing Eva noticed when she stepped out of the private car was the silence.

Not the peaceful kind.

The tense kind.

The kind that made her feel as though something was waiting just beyond the walls.

She stood beneath the covered entrance of Blackwood Tower, staring at the massive glass building in front of her.

Less than an hour ago, she had walked down a quiet hallway at Blackwood Estate as a single woman.

Now she was married.

To Adrian Blackwood.

The thought still felt impossible.

Her fingers instinctively touched the platinum band on her left hand.

Adrian noticed.

"You keep looking at it."

Eva immediately lowered her hand.

"I do not."

"You've done it several times."

She glanced at him.

"You were counting?"

"I notice things."

His answer was so matter-of-fact that she couldn't help the tiny smile that appeared on her lips.

"Apparently."

For a second, Adrian simply looked at her.

Then his expression returned to its usual composure.

"Come."

They stepped inside.

The private entrance had been cleared of staff, and two security guards immediately followed several steps behind them.

Eva looked around.

"Is all this really necessary?"

"Yes."

"Because of the reporters?"

"Because of the reporters, the photograph, and the fact that someone leaked information about our wedding."

Eva's smile disappeared.

She remembered the final moments before they had left the estate.

The hidden driveway.

The camera.

The flash.

She had barely seen the photographer.

But someone had.

And now the entire world seemed to be searching for the woman beside Adrian Blackwood.

They entered the private elevator.

The doors closed.

For several seconds, there was only the soft hum of the elevator moving upward.

Eva stared at the numbers above the door.

Then she spoke quietly.

"Do you think they know who I am?"

"No."

The answer came immediately.

She looked at him.

"You're sure?"

"If they knew, Daniel would have told me."

That was reassuring.

Until Adrian added,

"They're trying to find out."

Eva's stomach tightened.

"What happens if they do?"

"We control the information."

"Can you really control that?"

Adrian looked at her.

"No."

The honesty surprised her.

"But I can control how much information reaches them."

Before Eva could respond, the elevator doors opened.

Daniel was waiting.

He looked as though he hadn't slept in days.

"Sir."

"What happened?"

Daniel held out a tablet.

"The photograph from the estate is everywhere."

Eva hesitated before taking it.

The screen displayed a grainy photograph of the black sedan leaving the private road.

Adrian's silhouette was unmistakable.

The woman beside him wasn't.

But the headlines were already multiplying.

ADRIAN BLACKWOOD SECRETLY MARRIED?

MYSTERY WOMAN SPOTTED LEAVING BLACKWOOD ESTATE

WHO IS THE BILLIONAIRE'S NEW BRIDE?

Eva swallowed.

"They're calling me his mystery bride."

"You are his mystery bride," Daniel pointed out.

Adrian gave him a look.

Daniel immediately cleared his throat.

"Right."

Eva almost laughed.

Almost.

Then she saw another headline.

BLACKWOOD WEDDING: WHO IS THE WOMAN BEHIND THE SECRET?

Her expression changed.

"They're going to find me."

Adrian took the tablet from her.

"Not if we move carefully."

Daniel nodded.

"Security has already begun removing photographs of the estate from several websites where possible, but the original image has been copied too many times."

"Expected."

"There is more."

Adrian looked up.

Daniel hesitated.

"The reporters have started searching public records."

Eva's heart dropped.

"Public records?"

"Anything that could connect you to Adrian. Employment history. Previous addresses. Family connections."

Her face went pale.

"Noah."

Adrian's gaze immediately shifted toward her.

Daniel understood.

"We haven't seen Noah's name mentioned."

"Yet," Eva whispered.

Adrian stepped closer.

"Eva."

She looked at him.

"Don't panic."

"I'm not panicking."

"You are."

She wanted to argue.

Instead, she looked down.

Her hands were trembling.

Adrian noticed.

He didn't touch her.

He simply lowered his voice.

"We'll protect him."

"You can't know that."

"I can."

"How?"

"Because I'm going to make sure no one gets close enough to turn his life into entertainment."

Eva looked at him for a long moment.

There was no hesitation in his voice.

No uncertainty.

For once, she believed him without needing reassurance.

Daniel's phone suddenly rang.

He answered.

"Daniel speaking."

His expression changed almost immediately.

"Send it to me."

He ended the call.

"What is it?" Adrian asked.

"There's been activity around St. Mary's Hospital."

Eva's heart stopped.

"What kind of activity?"

"Two reporters were seen near the entrance."

She took a step forward.

"No."

Adrian's expression hardened.

"Have they approached Noah?"

"Not yet."

"Then make sure they don't."

Daniel nodded.

"Already instructed hospital security."

Eva closed her eyes briefly.

Noah had already been through enough.

The last thing he needed was strangers with cameras asking questions about his health.

Adrian looked at Daniel.

"Double the security at the hospital."

"Yes, sir."

"And no information about Noah leaves that hospital."

"Understood."

Daniel turned to leave.

"Daniel."

He stopped.

"Find out who tipped the reporters."

Daniel nodded.

"I will."

The door closed behind him.

Eva remained silent.

Adrian watched her carefully.

"You should sit."

"I'm fine."

"You don't look fine."

She gave him a tired look.

"You've been saying that a lot today."

"Because you keep pretending it's true."

She stared at him.

Then, unexpectedly, she laughed softly.

It was barely a laugh.

But it was real.

Adrian's expression changed for the briefest moment.

Something about the sound caught him off guard.

He looked away.

Eva noticed.

Neither mentioned it.

She walked toward the large windows overlooking the city.

From this height, everything below looked distant.

Small.

Manageable.

Her life didn't feel that way.

She looked down at her ring again.

"I still can't believe I actually did this."

Adrian stood several feet behind her.

"Neither can I."

She turned.

"You regret it?"

"No."

The answer came too quickly.

Eva blinked.

Adrian seemed to realize how it sounded.

"I don't regret keeping my promise."

Her gaze softened.

"Right."

He looked at the ring on her finger.

"You should probably get used to wearing it."

"I'll try."

"Why?"

"Because people will notice if I don't."

A faint smile crossed his face.

"You're learning quickly."

She rolled her eyes.

"Don't sound so proud."

For a moment, the tension disappeared.

Then Adrian's phone vibrated.

He looked at the screen.

His expression immediately became serious.

"Richard."

He answered.

"Yes."

His father's voice was low and controlled.

"I assume you've seen the reports."

"I have."

"This is becoming bigger than I anticipated."

"So is the wedding."

A pause.

"You should come to the boardroom."

"I will."

"Adrian."

He waited.

"Be careful who you trust."

The call ended.

Eva looked at him.

"What did he mean?"

Adrian slipped his phone into his pocket.

"I don't know."

She frowned.

"That doesn't sound like something your father would say without a reason."

"It isn't."

Before she could ask anything else, Daniel returned.

This time, his expression was different.

More serious.

"Sir."

Adrian turned.

"What?"

Daniel looked at Eva.

Then back at Adrian.

"We found the first person who started asking questions about Miss Hart."

Eva's heart began pounding.

"Who?"

Daniel lowered his voice.

"A journalist named Marcus Vale."

Adrian's eyes narrowed.

"How much does he know?"

"Not enough yet."

"Yet?"

Daniel nodded.

"He has her old photograph from the hospital."

Eva felt cold.

Daniel continued.

"And he's been trying to confirm whether the woman in today's photograph is the same woman."

Silence filled the room.

Adrian's expression became unreadable.

"How long?"

"He's been investigating for two weeks."

Eva looked at Adrian.

"Why would someone investigate me before today?"

Neither Adrian nor Daniel had an answer.

And somehow...

That frightened her more than the reporters outside ever could.

"Why would someone investigate me before today?"

The question hung heavily in the room.

Daniel looked at Adrian.

Adrian looked at Eva.

Neither answered immediately.

Finally, Daniel spoke.

"We're still trying to determine that."

Eva folded her arms.

"That's not an answer."

"I know."

"Then find one."

Her voice was firmer than before.

For once, she wasn't the frightened woman who had walked into Blackwood Estate desperate to save her brother.

She was angry.

Someone had been watching her.

Someone had been digging into her life.

And she had no idea why.

Adrian noticed the change in her expression.

"Daniel."

"Sir?"

"Get everything Vale has collected."

"Already requested."

"And find out who hired him."

Daniel nodded.

"Understood."

He turned toward the door.

"Daniel."

He stopped again.

"Don't alert him."

Daniel understood immediately.

"We'll monitor him without making contact."

"Good."

The door closed.

Eva exhaled slowly.

"I don't like this."

"Neither do I."

She looked at Adrian.

"Do you think this has something to do with your father?"

His expression hardened.

"Why would you think that?"

"Because he warned you to be careful who you trust."

Adrian was silent.

Eva watched him carefully.

"You think he knows something."

"I think my father knows more than he says."

"Is that normal?"

"With Richard?"

A humorless smile crossed his face.

"Very."

Eva walked toward one of the chairs and sat down.

"Your family is complicated."

"You have no idea."

"I think I'm beginning to."

Adrian almost smiled.

Almost.

Then his phone vibrated again.

He glanced at the screen.

This time, his expression changed completely.

"Dr. Collins."

Eva immediately stood.

"Answer it."

He did.

"Dr. Collins."

The doctor's voice was quieter than before.

"Mr. Blackwood, I wanted to give you an update on Noah."

Eva held her breath.

Adrian's eyes moved to her.

"How is he?"

"The surgery preparations are going well."

Relief flooded Eva's face.

"But we're still waiting for one final assessment before we proceed."

"How long?"

"Several hours."

Eva closed her eyes.

Several hours.

It sounded like an eternity.

Adrian nodded.

"Keep me informed."

"Of course."

The call ended.

Eva finally released the breath she'd been holding.

"He's okay?"

"For now."

She nodded.

"Thank you."

Adrian looked at her.

"You don't have to thank me every time."

"I know."

"But you do."

She gave a small smile.

"I can't help it."

He studied her for a moment.

Then his gaze shifted toward the ring on her finger.

"You're my wife now."

Eva's expression froze.

He continued calmly.

"That means your problems are my problems."

Something about the words unsettled her.

Not because they were frightening.

Because they weren't.

For the first time, the word wife sounded less like a contract and more like a responsibility he had willingly accepted.

Eva looked away.

"That's a dangerous thing to say."

"Why?"

"Because I might start believing you."

Adrian didn't answer.

But his eyes remained on her.

The silence between them changed.

Not dramatically.

Not enough to name.

Just enough for Eva to notice.

She looked away first.

"We should probably go to your board meeting."

"We?"

"You said your board was waiting."

"They are."

"So?"

Adrian considered her.

"You don't have to come."

"I know."

"Then why are you?"

Eva shrugged.

"Because I'm already involved."

His expression softened slightly.

"Fair enough."

They left the office together.

The private corridor was quiet.

As they walked, Eva noticed that Adrian kept slightly ahead of her.

Not far enough to leave her behind.

Just enough to make sure anyone approaching them would have to reach him first.

She wondered if he was doing it intentionally.

Then decided not to ask.

When they reached the boardroom, Daniel opened the door.

The room fell silent.

Several directors sat around the long table.

Richard Blackwood was at the head.

His eyes immediately settled on Eva.

For a moment, nobody spoke.

Then Richard stood.

"Mrs. Blackwood."

Eva wasn't prepared for the title.

Her fingers instinctively curled around the ring.

"Mr. Blackwood."

Richard's eyes briefly dropped to her hand.

Then he looked at his son.

"So it is official."

Adrian's voice remained calm.

"It is."

One of the directors shifted uncomfortably.

Another cleared his throat.

"We need to discuss the media situation."

Adrian took his seat.

"Go ahead."

"The company has already been contacted by several news outlets."

"They can be ignored."

"They're asking whether the marriage will affect your position as CEO."

Adrian leaned back.

"It won't."

"And the shareholders?"

"They'll receive the same answer."

A director frowned.

"With respect, Adrian, this isn't simply gossip anymore. Your private life is becoming a corporate concern."

Adrian's gaze hardened.

"My marriage is not a corporate concern."

The room went quiet.

T

Eva watched him carefully.

He wasn't angry.

He didn't need to be.

His authority filled the room without him raising his voice.

Richard finally spoke.

"There's another issue."

Adrian looked at him.

"What?"

"The photograph."

Daniel placed a printed copy on the table.

"Someone has already begun trying to enhance it."

Eva's stomach tightened.

"Enhance it?"

"To identify your face," Daniel explained.

Richard's expression darkened.

"If they succeed, the story changes."

Adrian looked at the photograph.

"How?"

"Your wife becomes identifiable."

"She already is."

"Not publicly."

Adrian's jaw tightened.

Richard continued.

"And once her identity becomes public, people will start digging."

"They already are."

That silenced everyone.

Eva looked at Adrian.

He had said it so simply.

As though he had already accepted that protecting her was part of the job.

The meeting continued for another twenty minutes.

By the time it ended, Eva felt exhausted.

She followed Adrian out of the boardroom.

As soon as the doors closed behind them, she released a long breath.

"I don't know how you do that."Ty

"Do what?"

"Sit in a room full of people who clearly want to challenge you and look completely calm."

Adrian glanced at her.

"Practice."

She smiled.

"I need some."

"You'll get used to it."

"To board meetings?"

"To being Mrs. Blackwood."

She looked at him.

"Is that something I should be worried about?"

"No."

"Because it sounds like a warning."

"It isn't."

He stopped walking.

Eva stopped too.

For a moment, they simply stood facing each other in the quiet corridor.

Then Adrian reached toward her.

Eva instinctively stiffened.

His hand stopped.

He pointed toward her shoulder.

"Your hair."

She blinked.

"What?"

"There."

A strand of hair had caught on the edge of her dress.

He carefully freed it without touching her.

"There."

"Oh."

Eva tucked the strand behind her ear.

"Thank you."

Adrian nodded.

Neither moved.

Something about the moment felt strangely intimate despite how insignificant it was.

Eva cleared her throat.

"We should probably go."

"Yes."

They continued walking.

Neither mentioned what had just happened.

But both noticed it.

---

That evening, the city was still talking about the mysterious bride.

The photograph continued spreading.

New theories appeared every few minutes.

Some claimed the woman was a European heiress.

Others insisted she was secretly an actress.

One account even claimed Adrian had married someone he'd known for years.

None of them were correct.

Not yet.

Inside Blackwood Tower, Adrian stood before the floor-to-ceiling windows of his office.

Daniel entered quietly.

"Sir."

Adrian turned.

"Tell me."

"We traced Marcus Vale."

"And?"

"He has no direct connection to Richard."

Adrian's eyes narrowed.

"Then who?"

"We're still investigating."

"Keep going."

Daniel hesitated.

"There is something else."

Adrian waited.

"Vale wasn't the first person to search for Eva."

His expression changed.

"Who was?"

"We don't know."

"Explain."

"Someone accessed an old public database containing information about Miss Hart several days before Vale."

"Can you trace the account?"

"No."

"Why?"

"It was masked."

Adrian walked toward the desk.

"Then unmask it."

"We're trying."

Adrian looked toward the city again.

Something about the situation didn't make sense.

The leak.

The reporters.

Marcus Vale.

The hospital photograph.

And now someone else searching for Eva before the wedding had even happened.

This wasn't simply a media frenzy.

Someone had been waiting.

The office door opened.

Eva stepped inside.

She had changed out of the dress she'd worn for the ceremony.

For the first time all day, she looked less like a bride and more like herself.

Adrian looked at her.

"What's wrong?"

She hesitated.

"Nothing."

"Eva."

She sighed.

"I just wanted to ask if there was any news about Noah."

"Not yet."

She nodded.

"Okay."

She turned to leave.

"Wait."

She stopped.

Adrian looked at her for a moment.

"You can stay here tonight."

Her brows lifted.

"Here?"

"In the guest suite."

"I couldn't."

"Why?"

"Because I'm already causing you enough trouble."

His expression hardened.

"You're not causing me trouble."

"But—"

"Someone else is."

She went quiet.

Adrian's voice softened.

"Stay."

Eva looked at him.

Then, slowly, she nodded.

"Okay."

A small smile appeared on her face.

"Thank you."

Adrian returned the nod.

As she turned toward the door, his phone vibrated.

He glanced down.

A message from Daniel.

We found the account.

Adrian opened it.

Another message appeared immediately.

You need to see who owns it.

His expression darkened.

He looked toward the door Eva had just walked through.

Then back at the screen.

The name staring back at him belonged to someone he knew.

Someone he never expected to be searching for his new wife.

Adrian's fingers tightened around the phone.

For the first time that day, he wasn't thinking about the media.

He was thinking about betrayal.

And somewhere in the city, someone had just made a very dangerous mistake.