Daddy Doesn't Know Me

The Summit Begins

The next morning, Blackwood City was awakened by a clear blue sky.

Ariana stood in front of the mirror in her hotel room, smoothing out the creases in her cream-colored blazer.

Today was not just any other business meeting.

Today, she would step foot in Blackwood Tower for the first time since she fell in love with the city.

The place where her heart was broken.

"Mommy!" Emma twirled in her yellow dress.

"Do I look pretty?"

"The prettiest princess in the world," Ariana said with a smile.

Ethan adjusted the small bow tie at his neck and stuck out his chest proudly.

"I look like a businessman!"

Ariana chuckled. "You certainly do."

Noah Carter stepped inside the room and gave a reassuring smile to the mother of his children.

"Good morning."

He had been Ariana's closest friend since college. The only man who had helped her get through the darkest time of her life.

"I'll stay with the twins while you are at the summit," he said gently.

"You don't have to worry."

Ariana gave him a grateful smile. "I owe you."

"You don't owe me anything," he said, kneeling in front of the children. "So, who is ready for the science museum?"

"Me!" The twins shouted in unison.

Ariana smiled at the sight of them. They always managed to lighten her mood when she was stressed.

She planted a kiss on each of their foreheads before picking up her presentation file.

"I'll be back before dinner," she said.

"Promise?" Emma asked.

"I promise."

Meanwhile, at Blackwood Tower, business executives from around the country filed into the lobby of the prestigious building.

Whispers of Mr. Blackwood's name echoed in the marble hallway.

"He personally chooses the winner," one man said.

"He has never been seen in the building," another added.

"They say he doesn't even smile."

Ariana took a deep breath as she stepped inside Blackwood Tower.

The polished floors, the crystal chandeliers, the scent of the place; everything was familiar to her.

She quickly looked down at the floor.

"I'm only here for business," she whispered to herself.

On the highest floor of the tower, Damien Blackwood adjusted his suit jacket as he studied the list of presentations in his hand.

"Twenty finalists," said Richard Grant, his assistant.

Damien scanned the documents before looking up at Richard.

"Hart Bakery is presenting tenth," he said.

"Yes, sir," replied Richard.

He hesitated for a moment before adding, "They are considered one of the frontrunners for the prize."

"We will judge each presentation on merit," said Damien.

"Of course, sir."

Damien headed towards the private elevator.

As the doors slid open, he couldn't shake off the feeling of foreboding that had gripped his chest.

At the science museum, Ethan stared up at the giant dinosaur skeleton that stood in the center of the room.

"That's amazing," he said in awe.

Emma pointed at one of the robotic displays. "I want to see that one!"

Noah chuckled. "One at a time, both of you."

As they walked around the museum, Ethan's eyes were drawn to a bright drone hovering above the entrance.

"Cool!" he said.

Without thinking, he took off after the drone.

"Ethan!" Noah called after him, but the boy didn't stop.

He had promised his mother he wouldn't run away, but the sight of the drone was too intriguing to ignore.

Suddenly, he heard Noah's voice behind him.

Ethan turned around and saw his father's concerned expression.

He sighed dramatically. "Fine... I won't run off," he muttered.

Noah gave his son a thumbs-up in response.

Back at Blackwood Tower, the presentations had started.

One by one, the shortlisted entrepreneurs presented their proposals to the panel of judges.

Some did well, while others stumbled.

Finally, it was time for the tenth presentation.

"Our tenth presenter is Miss Ariana Hart, founder and CEO of Hart Bakery & Café," the host announced.

A hush fell over the conference hall as Ariana stepped onto the stage.

As soon as she caught sight of her audience, time seemed to slow down for her.

Damien's fingers curled into fists as he stared at the woman on the stage.

His heart pounded in his ears.

It couldn't be real.

The woman who had broken his heart five years ago had walked into Blackwood Tower.

She looked older and more beautiful than he remembered.

Ariana raised her eyes to meet Damien's across the room.

For a moment, neither of them said a word.

All the pain, the questions, the heartaches of the past five years melted away in an instant.

The audience members took notice of the sudden tension between the two business magnates.

Richard leaned closer to Damien. "Mr. Blackwood?"

Damien blinked and looked at Richard, then back at Ariana.

He couldn't believe what was happening.

The only woman he had ever loved had just walked into his life again, and this time, she wasn't smiling.