2. I will make him the main heir of Blackwood Group

SERA

A few seconds passed in silence before Reggie's heavy footsteps and slow breathing could be heard. The old man walked in, cane in hand, heading straight for the prepared chair at the end of the table. “Ah, you're all here,” he said, his voice calm but authoritative. “And I see my beautiful daughter has joined us. Good, so the four of you have met her.”

I smiled faintly. Reggie referred to me as his daughter, which I thought was the best way for him to introduce me, confirming my status here.

“This is the first time we've all gathered here. But there's no reason to be awkward.” He then glanced at me, as if asking for my approval, and I nodded slowly, though my heart was still full of question marks. “Ace, as the eldest, perhaps you could start to introduce yourself first?”

The man across from me nodded in a calm and confident manner. “Okay, everyone, my name is Atticus—or Ace—Vance. I'm an attorney at the Hayes & Chan Law Firm.” I glanced at Reggie, asking silently, and he nodded.

I smiled slightly and nodded, but the tail of my eye caught the response of the fourth man who seemed to be holding back laughter. When our eyes met, the man's expression fell flat again. I tried to ignore him and turned to the second man next to Ace.

“I'm Beck Archer, an artist,” he said with a half-flipped smile. “I've also studied computer science, but nothing can separate my passion for art.” He looked at me for a moment, as if gauging my reaction, then continued. “Even though life is messy sometimes, I always try to find beauty in the mess.” There was something evocative in the way he spoke.

A faint smile played on Ace's lips, but there was no admiration in his gaze. “Finding beauty in the mess,” he murmured softly, nodding his head.

“That sounds lovely,” I commented with a genuine smile when Beck turned to Ace with a displeased face, which made Beck smile brightly again as he looked at me.

Don't make them kill each other at the dinner table. That was Reggie's message to me a few hours ago. And that was my best way to prevent it from happening.

It was now the turn of the man to Beck's left to speak, the man who had been staring intently as Ace and Beck introduced themselves. “I’m Callum Hart, but my friends call me Cal.” His voice was exactly what I had envisioned. It was the kind of calming voice that would make you feel like you could sleep comfortably anywhere as long as he was around. “I work as a doctor by day. If you guys need medical help or just a wiser conversation, I'm here.”

Ace just gave a small nod, maybe feeling like finally someone was at least approaching his class. Beck only responded with a soft smile and a subtle nod. The fourth man didn't react much, his expression static.

Then finally, the man with a mysterious aura who sat at the end of the table and watched with a sharp gaze. “Damon Wolfe,” he said in a low voice. His sharp blue eyes similar to Ace's looked straight at Reggie, then me. “I'm ....” His words hung in the air, people waiting for him to continue, but all had to swallow their disappointment when he finally ended it with, “maybe that's it.”

My eyes caught a lopsided smile from Ace, who was obviously mocking. Just like what Damon did when Ace introduced himself. Great, we've found the top candidates who will kill each other in this house.

Dinner began, but I felt that what started with this simple introduction would lead to something bigger. Something that would change my life forever.

I watched them again. Ace, Beck, Cal, and Damon. I didn't know if their names in alphabetical order were coincidental or intentional. However, if it was intentional by Reggie, I liked the man's sense of humor. Was he inspired by Bridgerton or something?

“So, Sera, when I said this afternoon that you have an important role here … I meant it.”

I did not reply to my foster father's words, I just stayed silent and watched, waiting for his next words.

Reggie smiled facing his four sons. “Whoever among the four of you can win Sera’s heart and marry her, I will make him the main heir of the Blackwood Group.”

I spit out my drink. “Wha?!”

Reggie's words echoed in the room, and for a moment, everyone was frozen in shock. My heart raced, my mind unable to process the sudden turn of events. Ace, Beck, Cal, and Damon exchanged shocked glances, their expressions ranging from disbelief to amusement at Reggie's unexpected proclamation.

Ace, always composed and collected, was the first to speak up. “So, we have to compete to marry her? How interesting.”

Cal raised a hand, exactly like a student who wanted to be noticed. “Wait, I think... Sera has a say in this, right? It's not just about us, right?”

Right.

Marrying one of these men to inherit a fortune and lead a powerful company—it was like a plot from a cheesy romance novel.

I looked pleadingly at Reggie. “Reggie, can we talk for a minute?”

He smiled calmly. “You can talk about anything here, my dear.”

I felt like I had been betrayed by Reggie. I obviously knew he was a great businessman, a big shot businessman, who did a lot of things to get what he wanted. He knew full well that some of his decisions would upset or disappoint others. But this wasn't about business.

I took a deep breath, gathering my thoughts. “I appreciate your intentions, Reggie, but this is not the way to go about it. I won't be a prize to be won in a competition among strangers.”

Reggie's smile faltered slightly, realizing he might have miscalculated my reaction. “Sera, I only wanted what's best for this family.”

“Which family?” My voice was choked. I didn't realize the words were coming out of my own mouth. I loved Reggie, I respected him. But Reggie's idea—or maybe it was already his decision—was breaking my heart.

Ace, who had been observing the exchange with a critical eye, leaned back in his chair, crossing his arms. “And what if nobody succeeds?”

“Oh, I'm sure that won't happen.” Reggie looked back at me meaningfully, maybe he chose not to take my earlier words to heart and refocused on the point. “I have more trust in Sera than all my business advisors combined.”

Cal cleared his throat, his gentle eyes reflecting his concern. “I believe relationships should be built on mutual respect and understanding. It's not a game to be won.”

“That's right, Cal” Reggie said. “That is why I will give you all time, especially for Sera.”

“You make us sound like gladiators entertaining you for the last part of your life,” Damon commented indifferently.

I gave Damon a tense look. “I hope you can watch your words.” Although I was very, very disappointed with Reggie in this conversation, but I could not hear such words directed at him, except from my own mouth.

Unlike me, Reggie didn't seem to mind Damon's comment. “Well, it's indeed a matter of life and death, Damon.”

“We don't even know each other yet.” Beck sounded like he had just returned from his own world. “It's … too fast.”

“You have time. Use it wisely.” Reggie took a sip of his wine, then cut another steak. Of all the people here, only Reggie still had an appetite.

“So, when … will this competition start?” Ace asked confidently. I and the other Blackwood Brothers looked at the man in astonishment.

Reggie, as if he had guessed it, laughed subtly. “It's already started, Ace. Ever since you all sat down at this table.” He returned to his four sons one by one. “In three days, my drivers will pick you up again. Until then, it's your chance to think and decide. If any of you don't come here, I'll consider it a withdrawal from this inheritance.” And when Reggie's gaze fell on me, my heart throbbed. “That goes for you too, Sera.”

I froze in place. As an adopted child, I had long felt like an outsider in the Blackwood family. And now, suddenly I was the key to the future of this dynasty?