I Am The Heiress: Billionaire Games

Episode two

Hello, Miss!”

My eyes squinted opened when I heard a voice, along with a firm clasp on my shoulder that shook me awake. When I saw that it was Marcel. I felt an overwhelming sense of relief which made my eyes tear up.

“Marcel,” I stood up from the ground, aware of my weak legs. “My grandfather…”

I looked behind Marcel and saw the masses of people that were helping clean up the scene. The drivers body and that of my grandfather were now no longer in sight.

“Unfortunately, My boss, who is your grandfather, passed away, as well as the driver. That I'm sure you're aware of.” Marcel sympathetically said.

I nodded and averted my gaze to the grass on the ground.

I felt like a jelly, totally weak inside as Marcel told me what had happened. Mostly when I recalled how clearly my grandfather had protected me with his body when obviously I didn’t deserve it. I was just his grandchild! I was the one who was supposed to be agile and quick to save him, but I was useless, totally useless!

I gulped under the Impending gaze of Marcel, aware that he knew everything.

Marcel was quick-witted as he had had to think on his feet, working for the chairman, his boss. Standing under his scrutiny made me uncomfortable, almost ashamed.

“Well, you know…” I nervously started, “The chairman died because he was protecting me.”

“Yes,” Marcel said slowly, “He did chose you as his heir.”

A tear rolled down from my eyes before I could help it. “You know…I really feel sorry towards him.”

“Then why don't you prove it.” with that, Marcel walked past me and I couldn't tell if he was angry or being cordial with me.

“W-what exactly do you mean?”

“The chairman died protecting you. so therefore in response, you have to carry on his will for you.”

“His will…” I muttered.

“His will for you as the heir of his empire.”

I held back a sob. Although all these years I followed my grandfather everywhere because I had nothing good to do, taking over an empire was too much for a reckless twenty-five year old.

“I don't know if I can.” I shivered at the thought of me telling those ruthless oldies what to do.

“It's not about if you can.” Marcel snapped, causing me to flinch for the first time. “It’s what you must do, it is compulsory.”

“He turned around, facing me I noticed the redness in his eyes which made me quiver.

"Clair, Not only is your stepfather an ungrateful son of a b***h that bites the hand that feeds him, he also killed your mother for the landed properties she owned.

“Your stepfather," Marcel's voice plunged.

"Your step father poisoned your mother. It wasn’t an accident. He killed her for the inheritance." The words hit me like a stab direct to the gut. I tilted, feeling the ground slide beneath me. My mind cried out to deny it, but deep down, I knew it was all true. The signs had always been there. I'd been the one blindly ignoring them. But, How could I have been so blind?

My eyes chirped up at the language Marcel used to address my stepfather. "Hold on, Does that mean my stepfather is responsible for the accident?"

Marcel’s eyes dimmed, "What else did you think?"

I squatted down, feeling my stomach gnaw at me from the inside.

It was all too much.

I hadn't fully been able to acknowledge that he would go that far to kill my mother. My mother loved him very much but… it appeared it was all for zilch because he never felt the same. The worst of all was that he'd meddle with her father's car, all because he didn't like that I was to take over the company as his only child,my mothers offspring. If that wasn't evil, I didn't know what was.

"I…" Despite the gnawing feeling of dread and shiver jogging up and down my spine. I clenched my fists and stood up to my feet. "What can I possibly do to avenge him? When I had the chance to, I couldn't even save him when he protected me with his life.”

The weight of his death sat heavily on my chest, shoving me into the earth, but then, I felt something darker rising in me. A sudden need to prove I was more than the helpless girl he protected.

Marcel glanced at me with content. "Clair, If you don’t go to Italy and gather your strength," Marcel said, his voice frigid and cutting,

"You won’t just lose your chance for revenge alone but you’ll also lose everything your grandfather fought for, everything he struggled to build. And you’ll lose your life too.”

I stared at him, blank. “This is not a threat. It is a pure fact.” Marcel stated.

I walked over to him while feeling adrenaline throbbing through my already gone pale skin.

"What do I need to do, Marcel? Teach me."

Marcel’s eyes were unmoving as his stare peeked into my soul. I stood without shame. What else was more shameful than me not being able to defend my grandfather? To redeem myself, I would sacrifice myself if I had to.

I stood there under his stare for a good minute until he lifted his hand, and they touched down on my right shoulder. His touch was firm, grounding me when I felt like I was just unraveling. My legs felt so weak, barely supporting my weight. I felt the tremor in my hands as I clenched my fists, trying to push down and hide the rising storm of emotions."

For some reason, this simple gesticulation made me feel warm, something I didn't realize was missing in me.

"The… first thing you have to do," his hand shifted to my elbow and he kept his grip there. "Is, To go to Italy."

I felt as though the earth underneath my feet was shaking and my knees buckled and I would have fell if not for Marcel’s strong grip keeping me up. "No!" I felt out of breath but I did not lower my defense.

I shifted and found my balance then I proceeded to whack Marcel’s hand away. I looked up to him and felt turmoil at his calm, relaxed expression.

"Run away? Really? After everything I've lost, you're telling me to just hide?!" My voice broke down, and I felt the tears scorching behind my eyes, but I wouldn’t cry, no way! not in front of him.

"You think I’m that weak, don't you?"

"I'm telling you to retreat for now and—"

"—That's the same thing as running away!”I yelled, but I didn't expect my tears to come rushing down like a storm.

As though I was a child, Marcel placed both of his hands on my shoulders and I tried to dust him off with a shrug but his grip was too firm.

"Child, Calm down and Listen to me."

Reluctantly, I looked up to face him with my tear-stained face.

"We're not retreating." His voice was as calm as his face. "Right now, we're no match for the enemy. Only by chance did I find out what he did, but without evidence, all is futile and your life will continually be put in threat."

"Does that mean you have no evidence that my step-grandfather is responsible for grandpa's death?"

“Exactly."

There was silence for a little while until he said, "If we fabricate your death, the enemy's guard will loosen and he'll disclose his cards to our gain. Only then can we counteract and weaken him by reintroducing you to the empire"

I bowed my head. I hated to admit it but Marcel had a point.

I heard his scowl but then I followed with my eyes where he was pointing only to see a long-haired woman who was dressed in a black suit and her hair tied in a ponytail. She had her head bowed towards me.

Out of the shadows strolled out a figure I hadn’t seen before—tall, poised, and with an acuity in her blue eyes that made my breath snag. Her black suit were immaculate, every movement appeared precise, as if she were a predator sizing up her prey without mercy. This was no ordinary bodyguard.

"Meet Lily, your momentary bodyguard. She'll escort you to Italy according to my arrangements."

"It's a pleasure to serve you, Miss." She lifted her head and I was met with her blue gaze.

Marcel brought out a file from the side of his wide black jacket, firmly holding it.

"Apart from going to Italy to regroup and recover, I have another task for you to handle."

"And What could that be?" I asked, watching him as he opened the file.

"You’ll need to marry, Clair," Marcel’s voice was firm, but the essences behind his words made my stomach churn.

"You have to understand that this isn’t just about love or companionship. It's about power. Getting married to the right man could give you all the leverage you need to protect yourself from your enemies." Marcel added, handing a file to me.

Just as Marcel handed me the file, a sharp sound snapped through the air. The window of a car beside us shattered, sending shards of glass flying.

I ducked instinctively, my heart drastically pounding as Lily vaulted into action, pulling me behind her.

"Get down!" she shrieked, drawing a weapon from her holster.