From Lies To Love

Chapter 13

Emily leaned back against the couch, rubbing her temple as Gina eyed her like a predator closing in on its prey. The wine was making her head feel lighter, but it wasn’t enough to drown out the nagging voice in her head Ryan Blackwood has had it bad for you for years.

No. That was impossible.

But was it?

She sighed, shaking her head. "Gina, this isn't some romance novel. Ryan doesn’t like me like that. If he did, don’t you think he would’ve"

"Kissed you?" Gina finished, wiggling her eyebrows.

Emily shot her a glare. "I was going to say acted differently."

"Oh, honey, he did act differently. He was just an i***t about it." Gina smirked, refilling her glass. "Men like Ryan? They don’t do ‘puppy love.’ If he had feelings for you back then, the only way he knew how to deal with them was by making your life hell."

Emily scoffed, but the words hit deeper than she wanted to admit. Ryan had always been harder on her than anyone else. His sharp remarks, the way he pushed her limits was it really because she was the only one who could handle it, or was it something more?

She sighed and downed the rest of her drink. "Even if if you were right, it doesn’t matter. This is fake. It’s just an act."

Gina shrugged. "Yeah, sure. For now."

Emily groaned and pushed off the couch, heading toward the kitchen. "I need food. You’re giving me a headache."

Gina called after her, laughing. "Denial isn’t a good look on you, babe!"

Meanwhile

Ryan Blackwood stepped into the sleek, glass-walled conference room of Blackwood Enterprises, the heart of his family’s empire. The atmosphere was thick with tension executives sat stiffly, their eyes flickering between thick files and the man who had just entered.

Linda, ever composed, walked beside him, holding a leather-bound portfolio. As they approached the head of the table, she spoke in a low, measured tone.

“They are expecting you to decline the acquisition, Mr. Blackwood,” she stated. “However, based on prior dealings, I anticipate you have other intentions.”

Ryan didn’t respond immediately. Instead, he adjusted his cuffs, rolled up his sleeves slightly, and took his seat. His presence alone commanded attention.

Across from him sat Daniel Hayes, CEO of Stark Innovations, a mid-tier tech company barely keeping itself afloat. His unease was apparent.

Ryan leaned back slightly. “Mr. Hayes,” he began, his voice as smooth as it was lethal, “I assume you understand why we’re here?”

Hayes cleared his throat. “Mr. Blackwood, I appreciate the interest, but we are not looking to sell Stark Innovations outright. We’d prefer an investment in exchange for a minority stake. Our company retains control of the board, and”

Ryan exhaled, the ghost of an amused smirk appearing before it vanished.

Linda wordlessly slid a file in front of him. He flipped it open with deliberate ease.

“Retaining control?” Ryan mused, his tone deceptively casual. “That’s an interesting request for a company that has lost 30% of its revenue this quarter.”

Hayes tensed.

Ryan continued, flipping a page. “Your top investors are quietly pulling out. You’re facing an ongoing lawsuit for breach of contract with a supplier. And your R&D budget is nonexistent. That’s not control, Mr. Hayes that’s a slow descent into irrelevance.”

The silence that followed was thick with discomfort.

Linda, standing to his right, finally spoke, her voice cool and professional. “At your current trajectory, Stark Innovations will not survive another fiscal year. The only reason this meeting is happening is because Mr. Blackwood believes there is something worth salvaging.”

Ryan shut the file and folded his hands on the table.

“Here’s what’s going to happen,” he said, his voice smooth but absolute. “We acquire all of Stark Innovations. Your board will be absorbed under our tech division. You will report directly to me.” His gaze sharpened. “Or you can refuse and watch your company collapse. Because after today, I’ll personally ensure that no investor with half a brain funds you.”

Hayes swallowed hard. His eyes flickered to his team, but no one dared to object.

A slow, reluctant nod. “We… accept the deal.”

A flicker of satisfaction crossed Ryan’s face.

Linda stepped forward immediately, placing the necessary documents in front of Hayes. He hesitated, then signed.

Once the meeting concluded, Ryan rose smoothly from his chair. As they walked back to his office, Linda finally spoke again.

“A clean execution, Mr. Blackwood,” she remarked. “They never stood a chance.”

Ryan smirked. “They never do.”

Linda hesitated for a fraction of a second before adding, “Still, you seemed… distracted.”

His steps faltered for just a fraction of a second before resuming their usual confident stride.

“That’s none of your concern,” he said dismissively.

Linda dipped her head. “Of course, sir.”

But as he entered his office, loosening his tie slightly, he knew exactly what or rather, who had been on his mind.

Emily.

No matter how many deals he closed, how much power he wielded, she still found a way to crawl into his thoughts.

And that irritated him more than anything else.