Chapter 3 — The Grandfather's Test

Dinner began in complete silence.

I sat beside Alexander at the long dining table while Richard Blackwood sat at the head.

The table was large enough for at least twenty people, yet only three of us were there.

It made me even more nervous.

I carefully held my fork, trying not to show how uncomfortable I was.

Richard watched me.

Not casually.

He was studying every movement I made.

Finally, he spoke.

“So, Emma.”

I looked up.

“Yes, sir?”

“How did you meet my grandson?”

My mind went blank.

I glanced at Alexander.

He gave me a subtle nod.

“We met through a mutual acquaintance,” I answered.

Richard raised an eyebrow.

“Who?”

I froze.

Alexander immediately answered.

“Daniel.”

Richard looked at him.

“Daniel Miller?”

“Yes.”

Richard nodded slowly.

“I see.”

He returned his attention to me.

“And what did you like about Alexander?”

I almost dropped my fork.

I hadn't expected that question.

I looked at Alexander again.

He was watching me with an expression I couldn't understand.

I needed an answer quickly.

“He's...kind.”

Alexander's eyebrow lifted.

Richard stared at him.

“Kind?”

I nodded.

“Yes.”

Richard laughed.

“My grandson?”

Alexander sighed.

“Grandfather.”

Richard continued laughing.

“I've known Alexander for thirty-two years. No one has ever described him as kind.”

I felt my cheeks become warm.

“Well...he is.”

Alexander looked at me.

For some reason, his expression softened.

Richard noticed.

His smile disappeared.

Instead, he became serious.

“Alexander.”

“Yes?”

“Do you love her?”

Alexander went silent.

My heart began beating faster.

He looked at me.

Then at his grandfather.

“I care about her.”

Richard frowned.

“That wasn't my question.”

Alexander didn't answer.

I suddenly felt uncomfortable.

This was supposed to be a fake marriage.

Why did his grandfather keep asking about love?

Richard leaned back in his chair.

“I suppose we'll find out eventually.”

He picked up his glass.

Dinner continued.

But I could barely eat.

Something about Richard's questions bothered me.

It felt as though he already knew our marriage wasn't real.

After dinner, Alexander stood.

“We should go.”

Richard nodded.

“Of course.”

I stood too.

But before we could leave, Richard spoke.

“Emma, would you stay for a moment?”

I looked at Alexander.

He seemed hesitant.

“It's fine,” I whispered.

Alexander nodded.

“I'll wait outside.”

He left the room.

Richard waited until the door closed.

Then his expression changed.

“You're not in love with him.”

My heart stopped.

I didn't know what to say.

“Sir...”

“You don't have to lie to me.”

I lowered my eyes.

“I don't understand.”

Richard stood and walked toward the large window.

“I know about the contract.”

My blood ran cold.

“What?”

He turned toward me.

“I know everything.”

I couldn't breathe for a moment.

“Does Alexander know?”

“No.”

“Why?”

“Because I want to see what happens.”

I stared at him.

“What do you mean?”

Richard walked toward a cabinet and removed a small envelope.

He handed it to me.

“Read this.”

My hands trembled as I opened it.

Inside was a document.

I read the first paragraph.

My eyes widened.

It was an additional agreement connected to Alexander's inheritance.

I continued reading.

If Alexander married before his thirty-third birthday, he would receive control of the company.

But there was another condition.

The marriage had to last.

I looked up.

“What is this?”

“The real condition.”

“But Alexander told me he only needed to be married.”

“He told you what he needed you to know.”

My heart sank.

“So the six-month contract isn't enough?”

Richard shook his head.

“If the marriage ends after six months, Alexander loses control of the company.”

I stared at the document.

“Then why did he agree to the contract?”

“Because he believed he could convince me that the marriage was real.”

I felt confused.

“Why would he do that?”

“Because Alexander has always believed he can solve everything with money.”

Richard smiled sadly.

“But this time, money isn't enough.”

I looked toward the door.

“Does he know about this?”

“No.”

“Why didn't you tell him?”

“Because I want him to learn something.”

“What?”

Richard looked directly into my eyes.

“That people aren't things he can control.”

I swallowed.

“What does this have to do with me?”

Richard's expression softened.

“Everything.”

He took another document from the cabinet.

“This is your original contract.”

I stared at it.

“I've seen that before.”

“Read the final paragraph.”

I did.

My heart stopped.

There was a clause I hadn't noticed.

If the marriage becomes legally invalid before the agreed term, all financial assistance provided to Emma Carter's family will be immediately withdrawn.

I looked up.

“But we're married.”

“Yes.”

“So what's the problem?”

Richard's voice became quiet.

“The problem is that someone is trying to prove your marriage is fraudulent.”

I froze.

“Who?”

“We don't know.”

“Why?”

“Because whoever is behind it wants Alexander to lose control of Blackwood International.”

I looked at the documents.

Suddenly, everything made sense.

The leaked contract.

The reporters.

The strange questions.

Someone wanted our marriage exposed.

Richard continued.

“And if they succeed, your family will lose everything.”

My chest tightened.

“What can I do?”

Richard looked at me.

“Stay married.”

“For how long?”

“Long enough for the truth to come out.”

I stared at him.

“But Alexander doesn't know any of this.”

“He will.”

“When?”

“When the time is right.”

The library door suddenly opened.

Alexander stood there.

His expression was serious.

“Grandfather.”

Richard calmly turned around.

“What?”

“Why are you talking to my wife alone?”

Richard smiled.

“We were getting acquainted.”

Alexander's eyes moved toward me.

He noticed the envelope in my hands.

“What is that?”

I quickly placed it behind my back.

“Nothing.”

His expression immediately changed.

“Emma.”

Richard interrupted.

“She promised not to tell you.”

Alexander looked at his grandfather.

“Tell me what?”

Richard smiled.

“Nothing important.”

Alexander clearly didn't believe him.

He walked toward me.

“Give me the envelope.”

I hesitated.

“Alexander...”

“Emma.”

His voice was quiet, but firm.

I looked at Richard.

Then at Alexander.

I couldn't tell him.

Not yet.

“I can't.”

His eyes narrowed.

“Why?”

“Because I promised.”

“You've known my grandfather for one evening, and you're already keeping secrets from me?”

His words hurt.

“I didn't choose to keep secrets.”

“Then why are you doing it?”

“Because your grandfather asked me to.”

Silence.

Alexander looked at Richard.

“What did you tell her?”

Richard simply smiled.

“Perhaps you should ask yourself why she trusts me enough to keep a secret.”

Alexander's jaw tightened.

He took my hand.

“We're leaving.”

I followed him.

The moment we reached the car, he opened the door for me.

I climbed inside.

He entered after me.

Neither of us spoke.

The silence between us felt heavier than before.

Finally, Alexander looked at me.

“What was in the envelope?”

I stared out the window.

“I can't tell you.”

He sighed.

“Emma, I need you to trust me.”

I looked at him.

“Then you need to trust me too.”

He didn't answer.

The car started moving.

I thought about Richard's warning.

Someone was trying to destroy Alexander.

Someone was trying to prove our marriage was fake.

And somehow, my family was connected to it.

I looked at the ring on my finger.

For the first time, I realized that this marriage wasn't simply a contract anymore.

It was a dangerous game.

And neither Alexander nor I knew who was playing against us.