Chapter 6

Chapter 6: The Encounter

Emilia stood on the sidewalk, watching as the sports car sped away into the distance. Her mind was racing with thoughts - what just happened? Was the world running mad? All she wanted to do was ask for the name of the city she was in, since she had no memories of anything. But the woman's behavior had been weird, repeatedly calling her "sister Emilia" and even kneeling before her. Emilia dismissed the thoughts, thinking maybe the woman had mistaken her for someone else. What she needed to do was find her family, if she had one. But if she did have a family, why hadn't they come looking for her? Were they alive or dead? These and many more questions filled her head, making her feel dizzy and disoriented.

As she began walking, trying to clear her head, she spotted a crowd of people gathering around a man stepping out of a black sleek Rolls-Royce. The man was guarded by men who seemed to be ushering him into a building, their faces stern and serious. Emilia watched, wondering who this man was and why his face felt familiar, as if she knew him before. She couldn't quite put her finger on it, but something about him seemed important.

Just then, she noticed a reflection in a window - a man stationed at the top of a building, holding a sniper gun aimed at the man's head. Her heart skipped a beat as she realized what was happening. She saw this and sprang into action, running towards the man with a surge of adrenaline. She pushed him out of the way just as the bullet whizzed past his head, the sound echoing through the air.

As the bullet whizzed past, commotion erupted. The man's bodyguards quickly apprehended Emilia, holding her roughly as they tried to make sense of what had just happened. "Who are you?" one of them growled, their grip tightening around her arms.

Emilia winced in pain, her body still weak from her recent hospital stay. She had exhausted what little energy she had left with her heroic move, and now her legs felt wobbly beneath her. Despite her efforts to stay upright, she felt herself fading away, her vision blurring.

"I...I just saved him," she whispered, trying to explain, but her words trailed off as she felt herself losing consciousness. The bodyguards held her up, but Emilia's body went limp, and she fainted, her legs giving out beneath her.

The man she had just saved rushed to her side, concern etched on his face. "Let her go," he ordered his bodyguards. "She just saved my life."

As they released their grip, Emilia slumped to the ground, unconscious. The man knelt beside her, checking her pulse.

The man, Marcus, gazed at Emilia's pale face, a hint of sympathy in his eyes. He couldn't believe this frail girl had just saved his life. "Get her in the car," he ordered his bodyguard, who gently lifted Emilia and placed her in the luxurious vehicle.

" Investigate this matter," Marcus instructed another bodyguard. "Find out who was behind the assassination attempt and why."

"Yes, boss," the bodyguard replied, already on his phone, making calls to start the investigation.

Marcus entered the car, his eyes scanning Emilia's sickly pale face. If not for her bravery, he wouldn't be alive. He felt a pang of gratitude towards this mysterious girl.

His driver, noticing they were ready to leave, asked, "Mr. Marcus, shall I go?"

Marcus beckoned his hand, signaling for the driver to proceed. The car smoothly pulled away from the curb, leaving the commotion behind.

As they drove, Marcus couldn't help but glance at Emilia, wondering who she was.

***

The car wound its way up the winding driveway, lined with towering trees and meticulously manicured hedges, until it finally arrived at the grand entrance of the Blackwood family's estate. The estate, named Ravenswood Manor, was a sprawling complex that spanned hundreds of hectares, a testament to the family's wealth and influence.

As the car passed through the gates, the unconscious Emilia remained still, unaware of the impressive surroundings. The driveway led to a massive courtyard, surrounded by various structures, including stables, guest houses, and staff quarters.

At the center of the courtyard stood the majestic Blackwood mansion, a masterpiece of architecture that exuded opulence and grandeur. The mansion's facade was a blend of Gothic and Renaissance styles, with soaring spires, sweeping arches, and intricate stone carvings. Its walls were crafted from the finest granite, shimmering silver in the sunlight.

The mansion's interior was equally breathtaking, with lavish decorations, crystal chandeliers, and priceless artwork adorning the walls. The floors were made of polished marble, and the ceilings were adorned with intricate frescoes. Every room was a testament to the Blackwood family's exquisite taste and refinement.

As the car pulled up to the mansion's entrance, Marcus stepped out, followed by his bodyguards, who carefully lifted Emilia's still-unconscious form from the car. Marcus led the way into the mansion, his eyes fixed on Emilia's pale face, his mind still reeling from the events that had transpired.

As the bodyguard carried Emilia into the mansion, she couldn't help but notice the opulent interior. The foyer was adorned with crystal chandeliers, marble floors, and a sweeping staircase that curved like a ribbon. The walls were lined with world-class paintings, masterpieces by artists like Monet, Van Gogh, and Picasso.

The bodyguard carried Emilia up the stairs and into a lavish bedroom, where he gently laid her on the bed. Meanwhile, Marcus entered the living room, where his family was gathered.

His daughter, Amelia, a bright-eyed girl with curly brown hair, was chatting animatedly with her grandmother, Mrs. Catherine Blackwood. Marcus's wife, Ivy, a poised and elegant woman with auburn hair, was pouring tea into delicate china cups.

As Marcus entered, his family stood up, surprised by the sudden interruption. Ivy's eyes widened as she took in the sight of the bodyguard carrying an unconscious girl.

"Marcus, what's going on?" Ivy asked, her voice tinged with concern.

"Who is that girl?" Mrs. Blackwood demanded, her eyes narrowing.

Marcus hesitated, unsure how much to reveal. "Just someone I'm helping, Mother. Don't worry about it."

Ivy walked up to Marcus, her eyes searching. "Who is she, Marcus? And why have you brought her into our home?"

Marcus sighed, knowing he couldn't avoid the truth forever. "It's just a girl I'm helping okay".

Ivy's eyes lingered on Marcus's face, as if searching for more information She knew her husband wouldn't just do anyone a favor without gaining something in return. "I see," she said not wanting to be persistent and irritate Marcus. "I just hope that's it".

The room fell silent, with all eyes on Marcus questioning him.

Suddenly then Marcus looked around the living room and notice it still looked the same, why wasn't there any arrangements going on.

Marcus's eyes narrowed as he gazed at his family, his voice firm. "Why haven't you made any arrangements yet?".

His mother, Mrs. Catherine Blackwood, and his wife, Ivy, exchanged confused glances. Ivy spoke up, "What do you mean, dear? Whose arrival?"

Marcus's expression turned incredulous, his tone laced with anger. "How could you ask such a ridiculous question, Ivy? Have you already forgotten the arrival of our son, Lucas? The pride of the Blackwood family?"

Ivy's eyes widened, her face pale. She turned to Amelia, "What day is it?"

Amelia replied, equally surprised, "It's April 20th, 2024"

Ivy's dramatic flair took over as she rebuked herself, "Oh, how could I forget? My son, my favorite child, is coming home today after all these years!"

Marcus's disgust was palpable as he gazed at Ivy. "You never forget your salon appointments, but you forget the day our son returns? You claim to love him so much, yet you're so careless."

Ivy apologized sincerely, attempting to reach out to Marcus. "I'm so sorry, my love. Please forgive me."

But Marcus pushed her hand away, his anger boiling over. He shoved her to the ground, his voice cold. "Stop making such silly mistakes if you want to remain my wife. Get the decorations done now. Lucas arrives at 7 pm, and I expect a grand welcome party. I've invited the city's elite, so it must be perfect."

With that, he stormed out of the room, leaving Ivy crumpled on the floor, Amelia rushing to comfort her

Ivy, with Amelia's help, struggled to her feet, her eyes welling up with tears. She approached Natasha ,seeking comfort and solace. "Mother, can you see...?"

But before she could continue, Natasha raised her hand, her expression stern and unforgiving. "Enough, Ivy! You're the one at fault here. My grandson is coming home after many years abroad, and you claim to have forgotten? You should be ashamed of yourself! You call yourself a mother? Even a pig shows more maternal affection than you!"

Natasha's rebuke cut deep, her words dripping with disdain. "My son Marcus has tolerated your stupidity for far too long. If you dare make another silly mistake, I'll find a young girl worthy of him. Who wouldn't want to marry Marcus Blackwood? He's a household name, and girls would queue up at our gate, eager to be his wife!"

With that, Natasha turned her back on Ivy, her walking stick in hand, and strode away, leaving Ivy feeling humiliated and crushed. Amelia's supportive embrace was all that kept her from collapsing..

Ivy's eyes followed Natasha's departing figure, her heart seething with resentment and hatred. She thought about how she had been treated poorly, despite giving birth to three grandchildren and a great son like Lucas.

This old woman had never given her the love or respect of a daughter-in-law of the Blackwood family, even after all she had done. In the eyes of society, she was the spoilt daughter-in-law of the Blackwood family, whom was doted on by her husband and spoiled by her mother-in-law. But in reality, her husband was not doting, instead he treated her poorly and blamed her for all his problems.

Ivy remembered her first years in the Blackwood family, as a new daughter-in-law. Natashanever liked her, since she wasn't the one she had chosen for her son Marcus. Marcus was supposed to marry an heiress from a very wealthy family in the city, one of the top five wealthy families. They had several mining sectors in the country and beyond, selling rare diamonds and precious jewelry, a line of business that Marcus had wanted to venture into.

But no, who knew that a few days to his engagement, Marcus would meet Ivy at a bar. He had only known her for a week, but he swore he was in love with her. On the day of his marriage, Marcus did the unexpected, abandoning the heiress at the altar and chasing after Ivy.

Ivy was a stunning beauty in her youth, with captivating peach blossom eyes and luscious auburn hair, curvaceous shapes that turned heads where ever she went, her beauty was truly undeniable.She came from a rich family, though not as rich as the girl Marcus was supposed to marry. When Marcus brought Ivy home after their court marriage, his mother was the first person to express her dislike and resentment for Ivy, she saw her as a homewrecker and a manipulator, and treated her with cruelty and disdain. And when she learned that Ivy had been messing around with Marcus even when he was still engaged, her resentment and disgust towards her grew.

Natasha treated Ivy poorly, making her do maid duties and constantly humiliating her. Marcus stood quietly while his mother tormented her, never defending Ivy or protecting her from his mother's wrath. The societal perception of Ivy's life was far from reality. The caring mother-in-law and doting husband were merely a facade to maintain their reputation.

As Ivy's thoughts lingered on the past, she clenched her fists tight with look of killing intent. She vowed in her heart that whoever would marry her sons would go through much worse and endure far much than she had suffered at the hands of her mother-in-law, Natasha. She would be the one to dictate the terms, to wield control over them, and exact the respect she had been denied.