BILLIONAIRE'S SPOILED MRS

Chapter 10: Surprise at the doorway

Friday morning arrived with a cold sense of dread. Maeve woke up to the sound of Penial snoring softly beside her on the oversized velvet sofa. For a few seconds, she forgot where she was, then the memory of the email hit her. She groaned, pulling a decorative pillow over her face. She had sent a photo of herself flipping off Cassian Blackwood. She was surely going to be fired before she even sat in her chair.

She got ready in a daze, choosing a sharp power suit. If she was going to be fired, she was going to look like a queen while it happened. She kissed Penial on the cheek, who didn't have an appointment until 10:00 AM, and whispered a quick "wish me luck" before heading out.

The drive to Blackwood Industries felt like a walk to a courtroom. Her heart hammered against her ribs as she pulled into the parking lot. But as she walked toward the massive glass entrance, she saw a familiar, elegant figure standing near the doorway.

"Aunty!" Maeve screamed, her face lighting up with genuine joy.

She lunged forward, throwing her arms around the woman in a tight, desperate hug. Mrs. Blackwood, Cassian’s mother, laughed and held her back just as tightly. Ever since Maeve’s own mother had died, Mrs. Blackwood had been the mother figure she needed.

It was because of this woman that Maeve had fallen in love in the first place. When Maeve was fifteen, she had been visiting the Blackwood mansion when she caught a glimpse of Cassian. He was eighteen then, home for a rare break from his studies in South Korea. He hadn't even looked at her, he only knew her as "Michael Williams' daughter", but for Maeve, it had been the luckiest day of her life. She had loved him from a distance for six years while he finished his studies and stayed in Korea to help his parents start their international branch. Now that he and his brother Kevin were back in America, her feelings hadn't changed a bit.

"Maeve, sweetheart! You look absolutely stunning," Mrs. Blackwood said, pulling back to look at her. "I heard you were working here now. Michael must be so proud."

"I’m trying, Aunty," Maeve said, her voice dropping as she remembered the email. "Though I might not have a job by lunchtime."

Mrs. Blackwood chuckled, clearly not knowing about Maeve’s late-night mistake. She gestured toward a very small, very energetic boy standing beside her. He was wearing a tiny suit and looked exactly like a miniature version of the Blackwood men.

"I’m actually here to drop off this little troublemaker," Mrs. Blackwood said. "This is Leo, Kevin’s three-year-old. Kevin and his wife had an emergency, and I have a flight back to Korea in two hours. I’m leaving him with Cassian for the day."

Maeve looked down at the boy. Leo had big, curious eyes and was currently trying to untie his own shoelaces.

"Cassian? Watching a toddler?" Maeve asked, a smirk playing on her lips. "He’s so strict, he’ll probably try to give the poor kid a performance review."

"That’s exactly why I’m leaving him here," Mrs. Blackwood whispered with a wink. "Maybe this little handful will teach my son that life isn't all about spreadsheets and budgets. He needs to learn some patience."

Maeve knelt down to the boy’s level. "Hi, Leo. Do you want to go see your Uncle Cassian? He’s very grumpy, but we can make fun of him together."

Leo giggled and grabbed Maeve’s finger. Mrs. Blackwood smiled, looking at the two of them. "You always had a way with people, Maeve. Why don't you take him up for me? I really must rush to the airport."

Maeve froze. Taking the nephew up meant she had to face Cassian. It was the perfect shield. He couldn't fire her while she was holding his favorite nephew... right?

"Of course, Aunty. I’ll look after him," Maeve said, her arrogant confidence slowly returning.

As Mrs. Blackwood waved goodbye, Maeve took Leo’s small hand in hers. She adjusted her bag, straightened her shoulders, and walked toward the elevator. She might be in trouble for the email, but she was about to walk into Cassian’s office with a three-year-old weapon of mass distraction.

Game on, Cassian, she thought.