Chapter 9: The First Night at Knight Mansion
367 Words
The drive to Knight Mansion was silent.
Rain tapped softly against the windows of Damian's Rolls-Royce.
Ariana sat beside him, replaying everything that had happened.
Vanessa's return.
The car crash.
The missing messages.
The mysterious CCTV footage.
Nothing made sense anymore.
"We're here."
Ariana looked out of the window.
Her breath caught.
Knight Mansion looked less like a home and more like a palace.
Golden lights illuminated the massive estate while fountains danced in front of the entrance.
As soon as the car stopped, dozens of servants lined both sides of the driveway.
"Welcome home, Mr. Knight."
Their voices echoed together.
Damian stepped out first before opening Ariana's door.
She hesitated.
"I don't belong here."
Damian looked at her calmly.
"Neither did I."
She frowned.
"What do you mean?"
"I built this house."
"But it has never felt like home."
For the first time...
Ariana saw loneliness behind his calm expression.
Before she could respond, the front door opened.
An elegant elderly woman walked out with the help of a silver cane.
Her face lit up.
"Damian..."
Then her eyes landed on Ariana.
"So..."
"Is this the young woman you've been hiding from me?"
Damian smiled—a real smile.
"Grandmother."
"I'd like you to meet Ariana."
The old woman walked closer.
She gently held Ariana's hands.
"My dear..."
"I've waited years to meet the woman capable of stealing my grandson's heart."
Ariana forced a smile.
If only you knew the truth.
The grandmother slipped a beautiful jade bracelet onto Ariana's wrist.
"It has belonged to the women of the Knight family for four generations."
"I want you to have it."
Ariana's eyes widened.
"This is too valuable..."
"It belongs with my future granddaughter."
Before Ariana could refuse...
A loud voice echoed through the hall.
"I object."
Everyone turned.
Vanessa stood at the entrance.
She wasn't alone.
Beside her stood a tall man in a black suit.
His cold eyes settled on Damian.
Then he smiled.
"Long time no see... brother."
The entire room froze.
Ariana looked from Damian to the stranger.
Brother?
Damian had never mentioned a brother.
And judging by the hatred in both men's eyes...
This family reunion was about to become a war.
- Writer
