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?
ACEI didn’t ask where she was driving. I figured today I could loosen the reins a bit.After everything that happened earlier, I knew I had to reel myself in before I lost all control. But there was a part of me that didn't want to let go just yet.And when she said she wanted to take me on a date, I didn’t say no.I don’t get asked out often. Usually, I’m the one planning the whole damn thing.After brunch and a few blocks of aimless driving, Sera glanced at me from behind the wheel, one brow raised. “So,” she said casually, “aside from this morning’s drama and the flower-bomb from your mother that you treated like an active grenade—what do you actually want today?”I leaned my head against the window, watching the city blur past. “Hm?”“It’s your birthday. I want to get you something.”I looked at her. “You know I don’t need anything, right?”“It’s not about need,” she replied, throwing me a quick look before turning back to the road. “I just want to. And for once, I want you to sa
SERAAfter we parked on a quiet street, I turned to Ace sitting calmly in the driver’s seat. “I won’t be long,” I said, unbuckling my seatbelt. “You can wait here.”“You always say that, but somehow I age ten years every time I wait.”I gave him a faint smile. “You’re already old.”He just looked at me with that mock-threatening stare before turning his face toward the window.Edward Hayes was waiting for me on the second floor, in one of the unused office units. He looked the same as always—crisp suit, classic watch, and that polished smile that never quite earned your full trust. But Reggie trusted him, so do I.Next to him stood a younger woman—straight posture, neatly styled brown hair, and a gaze that told you she was used to being in charge. Her skin was a warm olive tone, her eyes sharp, and she wore a black blazer and perfectly tailored pencil skirt.“This is our firm’s new partner, Savannah Brucio,” Edward introduced. “She specializes in properties like this.”I gave a polite
ACETo my son, on the year you are finally expected to win. ~VivienneOf course she’d write something like that. Subtle pressure wrapped up in neat handwriting. Classic.“It’s from my mom,” I said quietly. But I didn’t open the box. For some reason, there was this odd twist in my chest, a flicker of caution.Sera was still watching me, gentle but curious. “You’re not going to open it?”I shook my head. “Later.” Then I handed the package back to Jonas. “Can you bring it up to my room?”Jonas nodded and carried them upstairs.Sera tilted her head, probably about to ask more, but before she could, Grant showed up with that particular expression that usually means something urgent.“Happy birthday, Mr. Ace,” he said with a polite smile. “I do appreciate your joy today, but I need to speak with Miss Sera. It’s important.”I nodded. “Of course.”Sera brushed her hand lightly down my arm, whispering, “I’ll catch up with you later,” before slipping away with Grant.As she left, I noticed som
ACEMorning broke, the world still quiet—but my heart was already pounding, like it knew what was coming.Today was my birthday.Normally, I’m not the type to make a big deal out of birthdays, but this year feels different. Maybe it’s the unspoken “rule” Sera made about today being just for me.One day. Mine.And she knew I was collecting on that.I’d just opened my bedroom door when I saw her standing there—hand already raised mid-knock. She froze for a fraction of a second, then slowly lowered it like she hadn’t been caught.She was already dressed, wearing a soft blue dress that draped perfectly over her frame. Her hair was neatly done, her face fresh.Not that she wasn’t beautiful on any other day—but this morning, she was glowing. Like she got ready for me.And damn, I liked that thought way more than I should’ve.“Happy birthday,” she said casually, a small smile tugging at her lips. “You don’t look too bad for a guy who just woke up.”I raised an eyebrow. “That’s it?”She stifl
ACEThe steps still swayed to the fading beat after the music stopped. She gave a small smile, cheeks flushed just a bit, breath slow and steady. Her hand stayed in mine, and for the first time in a long while, this room felt warm.I knew she’d leave if I let her. Like she always did—keeping that distance that pissed me off but left me powerless. But tonight felt different. And for once, I didn’t want to keep everything so damn controlled.My hand slid down to catch her fingers hanging loose by her side. I squeezed gently. “Stay.” The word came out softer than I intended. But firm, no begging, no pressure. “Tonight, just stay.”Her eyes locked on mine, full of thought, full of history, full of wounds I was done pretending didn’t matter.I swallowed and stepped closer, just half an inch away. My hand brushed her cheek slowly. “This room wasn’t mine before you walked in. So if you’re gonna leave again, at least give it one night to remember what it feels like to matter.”She didn’t say
SERAHe leaned back, arms crossed. “But if you’re feeling left out … I can make some marks for you later.”I tugged at my collar and straightened up, trying to reclaim my composure. “We had an agreement. No marks on me.”“But he kissed you on the lips. Right in front of me,” Ace replied coolly. “If that’s not a ‘mark,’ I’m not sure what is.”I buried my face in my hands. “This is a mess.”He laughed—softly. Not the amused kind, but the kind that sounded like someone mentally crafting a sweet, vicious revenge.“Let’s—let’s just get back to business.”I forced myself to focus on the file in front of us. A few pages had been flagged, and notes on possible legal pathways began lining up in my mind again. Ace answered each of my questions patiently and thoroughly. He didn’t let emotions bleed into the work, not even after what happened earlier.And somehow, because of that, I felt steadier.Once we wrapped up, I began gathering the scattered papers. “That was … genuinely helpful,” I said h