THE INHERITANCE CONTRACT

Subliminal message; S*x Day!

When Lena opened the door, she was not at all pleased with the sight before her. She had already had a terrible day, and on top of that, she could not stand this arrogant man.

She frowned and said with a harsh attitude, "You came at a very wrong time, mister. I cannot stand you right now." She attempted to close the door.

But suddenly, she realized the door was not closing. It was as if it had been fixed with a heavy force. Blaze was holding it with just one arm. *How can this man be so strong?* she thought. She tried to push the door with her hand, but it was no use. Blaze slightly pushed the door open and entered uninvited. Then he gently closed the door behind him.

Lena crossed her arms over her chest in anger. "What is this now? What is the matter, are you some kind of outlaw?" she snapped. She turned around and quickly reached for her phone. "I am calling the police. Look at this crazy person's nerve!" she muttered, intending to dial the number.

But Blaze suddenly grabbed her arm and pinned her firmly against the door.

"My guy, huh?" he murmured, his voice filled with dangerous mockery.

Then he moved even closer to Lena's face, his breath now touching her skin.

"Crazy person's nerve? And outlaw? Is that so?" he said, with a harsh smile on his lips. "You are too bold for that delicate woman who was moaning beneath me and begging me to be harder just a week ago."

Lena's entire body caught fire. She was both embarrassed and trembling with anger. She tried to free her wrists pinned against the door, clenching her teeth.

"Ugh, fine. Whatever your problem is, I will listen. Let me go!" she hissed.

Blaze raised his dark eyebrows slightly. After a brief silence, he looked at her with challenging eyes and slowly withdrew his hands.

Lena rubbed her wrists. They hurt. But trying not to show it, she pointed toward the living room with a mocking attitude.

"Oh, please. Come on in, make yourself at home," she said, her voice dripping with sarcasm.

Blaze shot her a sideways glance and sat down on the couch with heavy steps. Lena, fuming, crossed her arms and sized him up.

What was this man doing here, and what did he want from her?

When Lena heard the sound of the coffee machine humming in the back, she got up, made herself a coffee, and fixing her eyes on Blaze, asked with an annoying expression, "Sir, would you like some coffee? Colombia double shot… Hopefully, it is worthy of you."

If Blaze thought he would give in to Lena's mocking attitude, he was mistaken. He straightened his head, crossed his legs, and rested his arm comfortably on the couch.

"Without sugar, please," he said in a nonchalant manner.

Lena was getting even more annoyed by his self confident demeanor. She opened the cupboard, randomly picked a mug, filled it with coffee, placed it on the coffee table, and sat down on the corner couch.

There was a sly grin on Blaze's face. As Lena tried to understand why, the man took the mug, took a sip, and the corner of his lips curled slightly upward.

"Hmm… This being bold thing seems to be a habit for you. Or were you trying to send me a subliminal message?" he asked.

Lena frowned and immediately looked at the mug, but she could not see anything. It was a white, ordinary mug.

"What are you rambling about? Are you crazy?" she snapped.

Blaze turned the mug around, and his smile deepened.

"Pretty bold for a woman who just lost her virginity," he said, curling his lips mockingly.

Lena's eyes widened. She realized at that moment that the mug belonged to Ivy. And on it was one of those themed mugs from that stupid body positivity trend, with huge letters that said "s*x DAY." And next to it… God, there was a v****a figure.

Lena froze on the spot.

*Oh my God, I wish the ground would open up and swallow me. Is there some voodoo magic between me and this man? How can such a humiliating coincidence come together?* she screamed inside.

Blaze took another sip of his coffee, his eyes gleaming with pleasure as he fixed them on her.

Lena quickly reached out to take the mug. "Give me that. I did not even see it. I do not have the time or energy to send you subliminal messages," she hissed. "Ugh, start talking already, or get the hell out of this house."

But Blaze continued sipping his coffee with pleasure. He did not even feel the need to hide the amusement in his eyes.

Lena was about to explode with anger.

Lena noticed that Blaze's eyes were fixed on her. His gaze was dark and serious.

"Anyway," he began, his voice devoid of any emotion whatsoever. "I have investigated your entire life, including everything you went through today."

Lena's anger flared up even more. Her eyes flashed with fury. She got up, leaned her hands on the table, and bent toward Blaze.

"How dare you investigate my life?" she hissed.

Blaze calmly sipped his coffee, then placed the mug on the table. This time, his eyes were as sharp as a snake's.

"Do not think you know me just because I have been nice to you. Sit down."

The first thing that went through Lena's mind was to shout, "You cannot order me around." But at that moment, the sharpness in his voice and the cold threat in his eyes instinctively made her take a step back. Her heart rate had increased. For the first time, she was afraid. She silently sat down.

Blaze looked deep into Lena's eyes.

"I have an offer for you. That is why I am here."

Lena crossed her arms over her chest and grinned mockingly.

"What happened? I thought I was a gold digger? That I cared about the money, not my father's death? What changed?"

Blaze raised his eyebrows slightly. There was no hesitation in his expression whatsoever.

"I still think the same. But I made a promise to someone I cannot break. A promise that I would not leave the company."

There was a moment of silence. Blaze narrowed his eyes, measuring Lena's reaction. Then he continued.

"The only way for me not to leave the company is to marry you."

Lena's face immediately tightened. She turned her head away and sighed with anger.

"I have no intention of being your wife. I have no intention of living in the middle of nowhere either. So thank you, but I am not interested. If we are done talking, you can leave."

Blaze murmured through his teeth in a low voice.

"You will not have to wait a year."

Lena's attention was piqued, even against her will. She narrowed her eyes and raised her eyebrows.

"What do you mean?"

Blaze leaned his body back slightly and explained, rolling his eyes.

"I cannot stop you from living in Mardin because your father clearly stated that. But we will not be truly married. Everyone at the mansion will think we are, but there will be no contact between us. We do not even need to talk. I will handle all the arrangements."

Lena frowned, trying to understand what was behind this offer.

"Hmm, you have piqued my interest. But you said I would not have to wait a year to receive the inheritance. How will that work?"

Blaze tilted his head slightly, an ambiguous smile on his lips.

"There is a publishing group attached to our company. You will not be able to touch the inheritance until you fulfill your father's conditions, but I can continue with my duties at the company. In return for a share of the profits, I can transfer this publishing group to you. That way, you can print whatever magazine or books you want."

Lena narrowed her eyes suspiciously.

"Okay, what is your interest in all of this? I saw in your eyes today, your problem is not money."

Blaze paused for a moment, his eyes taking on a shadowed expression. Then he stood up, straightened his shirt, and headed for the door. Just as he was leaving, he spoke without even looking back.

"Because I received a letter from the past today. And a promise I cannot break depends on you accepting this offer."

Lena called out, her curiosity growing inside her.

"Wait. How will I find you?"

Blaze let out a short, harsh laugh as he opened the door. Then, without looking back over his shoulder, he answered.

"I will find you. Just like I found you now."

And he closed the door behind him and left.

Lena did not move from her spot for a while. She thought about everything she had experienced this month. Her life had been completely turned upside down.

What would happen if she stayed in Istanbul? Either she would make a deal with a new publishing group and return to full time slavery, waiting for years for a promotion, or she would laze around at home, trying to finish that damn love themed book she had no experience with. As she thought about how limited her options were, her anger grew. She wanted revenge on everyone who had brought her to this situation.

But there was a way out.

Owning a massive publishing group. Making sure everyone knew about it. Moreover, becoming a millionaire woman. This idea drove her into a mad ambition. Living by her own rules, without bowing to anyone. That was exactly what fueled her anger and ambition.

But…

Sharing the same house with a man she did not know at all?

Blaze had said, "There will be no contact." But what if he changed his mind? What if things got out of his control? And most importantly… She would have to live under the same roof with that man for a year to receive her father's inheritance. Lena was used to living without owing anyone anything. Putting up with Blaze, entering into this arrangement… That was a risk in itself.

Then she remembered what Ivy had said.

"Mardin is the land where you were born, Lena. Maybe going back there would be good for you."

What kind of place was Mardin, really? Those old mansions, narrow streets, stone buildings. The place where her father grew up. Lena realized at that moment that she knew almost nothing about her past.

And the only person who came to her mind right now was Ivy.

She quickly picked up her phone and dialed. It was answered on the first ring.

"Ivy, I need you to come over."