036: Unwelcome Company

The following morning, Elena woke feeling lighter than she had in days.

Soft rays of sunlight filtered through the curtains, bathing her room in a warm golden glow. For the first time in what felt like forever, she didn't wake with a heavy heart or a thousand unanswered questions weighing on her mind.

Margaret hadn't revealed everything, but she had revealed enough.

At last, Elena understood why her grandfather had gone to such lengths to protect her.

He hadn't hidden her because he was ashamed of her.

He had hidden her because he had been terrified of losing her.

The realization filled her heart with a peace she hadn't known in years.

After getting ready, she made her way downstairs.

The comforting aroma of freshly brewed coffee and warm bread filled the dining room. Mrs. Harper moved around the kitchen, humming softly as she arranged breakfast on the table.

It reminded Elena of the mornings before life had become so complicated.

Her grandfather looked up from the newspaper in his hands and smiled warmly.

"You seem happier today."

Elena smiled back.

"I think I am."

"Well, thank goodness for that," Mrs. Harper said as she placed another plate on the table.

"I was beginning to think smiling had become illegal in this house."

The joke earned a laugh from everyone, including Elena's grandfather.

It was such a simple moment, yet it warmed Elena's heart.

Little by little, the heaviness that had settled over Blackwood Mansion was beginning to disappear.

A few moments later, Damian entered the dining room.

His tie hung loosely around his neck as he adjusted his cufflinks.

He looked as though he'd slept very little, but despite his exhaustion, his eyes searched the room until they found Elena.

"Good morning," he said.

"Morning," everyone replied.

He pulled out a chair before looking at Elena.

"Did you sleep well?"

She nodded.

"Better than I have in a long time."

"I'm glad."

Mrs. Harper quietly watched the brief exchange over the rim of her coffee cup.

A knowing smile tugged at her lips.

Neither Damian nor Elena seemed to realize how naturally they gravitated toward each other now.

But everyone else in the house certainly did.

The drive to Blackwood Group was calm and unhurried.

Comfortable silence filled the car as the city slowly came to life around them.

When they stopped at a red light, Elena finally spoke.

"I've been thinking."

Damian kept his eyes on the road.

"That's usually dangerous."

She laughed.

"I'm serious."

He glanced at her briefly.

"I know."

She folded her hands in her lap.

"I've spent so much time running from my life... trying to survive everything that's happened."

She looked out the window before continuing.

"I forgot what it feels like to actually live."

Damian remained silent, giving her the space to finish.

"I want to work."

"Not because I have to."

"Because I want to."

"I don't want people to think I'm only here because of you."

"I want to earn my place."

Damian considered her words for a moment before nodding.

"You'll have the opportunity."

"But there'll be no special treatment."

"No favoritism."

"You'll be judged by your ability, just like everyone else."

A genuine smile spread across Elena's face.

"That's exactly what I want."

The moment they stepped into Blackwood Group's lobby, Damian sensed something was wrong.

Employees hurried from one department to another.

Security officers stood near the entrance, speaking quietly into their radios.

The atmosphere was unusually tense.

Damian turned to his assistant.

"What's going on?"

"A delegation from Sterling Holdings arrived unexpectedly, sir."

Elena froze.

Sterling Holdings.

Adrian.

"Did they schedule a meeting?" Damian asked.

"No, sir."

"They requested one early this morning."

Before anyone could say another word, the elevator doors slid open.

Adrian stepped out.

Dressed in a charcoal-gray suit, he carried himself with the confidence of someone accustomed to being the most powerful person in any room.

Then he saw Elena.

His footsteps slowed.

For a brief moment, the bustling lobby seemed to fade into silence.

He barely recognized the woman standing before him.

She looked different.

Not because of her clothes.

Not because of her appearance.

But because she looked... happy.

The sadness that had once clouded her eyes had been replaced with quiet confidence.

"Elena," he said softly.

She met his gaze without hesitation.

"Mr. Sterling."

The formal greeting hit Adrian harder than he expected.

No anger.

No bitterness.

Just polite distance.

As though he were nothing more than another businessman she happened to know.

Damian stepped forward, subtly placing himself beside Elena.

"To what do we owe this visit?"

Adrian shifted his attention to him.

"Our companies have been discussing a possible partnership."

"I thought it would be more productive to meet in person."

Damian nodded once.

"My office."

Without another word, the two men walked toward the elevators.

Just before the doors closed, Adrian glanced back one last time.

Elena was already walking away.

She never looked back.

For reasons he couldn't explain...

That hurt far more than he expected.

From behind the reception desk, Lily watched everything.

Every glance.

Every expression.

Every silent exchange.

Once the lobby emptied, she quietly slipped into a side corridor and dialed a familiar number.

"The meeting happened," she whispered.

"Sterling saw her."

A brief silence followed.

Then the distorted voice replied,

"Good."

"Keep watching."

"Especially Blackwood."

"I want to know everything."

The call ended.

As Lily slipped her phone back into her handbag, one of the company's IT managers hurried past her carrying a sealed brown envelope stamped CONFIDENTIAL.

His destination

The CEO's office.

Lily's eyes narrowed.

She had no idea what was inside.

But instinct told her it was important.

Very important.

She quietly watched him disappear down the hallway before taking out her phone again.

"I think something big is about to happen," she whispered.

"This time...

I'll know the truth before they do."