THE INHERITANCE CONTRACT

Cultured bear;

Hakan was laughing, trying to hide it. Ivy noticed and crossed her arms, stepping closer to him. "What is so funny? You seem to be enjoying the show, Mr. Hakan," she said, raising an eyebrow.

Hakan let out a quiet laugh, then, making sure Blaze was out of earshot, relaxed a little. "In Mardin, even though Blaze would never admit it, he is the CEO. Everyone walks on eggshells around him. Seeing someone talk back to him like that, it is just funny to me. What can I say?" He grinned.

Ivy was surprised at first, then burst out laughing. "So Lena is the first woman to challenge Mardin's CEO, huh?"

Hakan nodded slightly. But there was a faint seriousness in his eyes. Ivy noticed and frowned.

"So, I will not tell anyone. Just tell me, why are we going to Batumi?"

Hakan took a deep breath. His eyes darted toward Blaze and Lena for a second. Then he leaned closer to Ivy and lowered his voice.

"We could not arrange a place for the civil ceremony in Turkey, especially in Istanbul. We found a spot at the consulate in Batumi. The marriage has to be registered before we get to Mardin."

Ivy's eyes widened. She was quiet for a moment.

This serious tone had triggered something inside her, but she could not quite figure out what. "Why the rush? The marriage has to be registered before we get to Mardin. What does that mean?"

But Hakan did not explain. He just shrugged with that slightly worried expression.

Ivy glanced at Blaze and Lena, trying to push down the strange feeling growing in her chest. Because what she felt was not just curiosity. It was the shadow of an approaching storm.

The car moved silently through Batumi's dim streets, creating an atmosphere that was unsettling even for those who knew the city well.

After hours of travel, Lena's nerves were shot, and her patience was hanging by a thread. When they landed, a formally dressed man greeted them, holding a sign that read Blaze Kade. That alone was enough to show how serious and official this whole thing was.

Hakan approached the man, signed some papers, and took the car keys.

He turned to them. "The car is ready. Let us go to the hotel first, then the consulate."

Blaze guided Lena with a firm but measured hand on her waist.

Lena tensed at his touch but clenched her teeth and got in the car, not wanting to start another fight. The car was spacious and luxurious, with six leather seats facing each other in the back.

Ivy stared out the window, excited to be in Batumi for the first time. The city's historic streets looked magical under the streetlights.

Lena smiled at her friend's enthusiasm and tilted her head.

"You like it that much?" she asked.

Ivy nodded quickly, not taking her eyes off the window. "Oh yes, it is beautiful. You came here last year with Erik, did not you?"

Her voice dropped as she said his name. She rolled her eyes, her face falling. "That bastard made fun of me when I said I wanted to come."

Just then, Blaze crossed his legs, folded his arms over his chest, and started staring at Lena. His gaze was heavy, questioning, but there was a faint hint of mockery in it.

"Hmm. Did you pick the Crystal Hotel here too?" he said, his voice dangerously calm. "How much money did you leave him? If it was more than you left me, I might be a little hurt."

He raised his eyebrows playfully as he said it.

Ivy looked confused, not quite understanding what he meant.

Lena, though, narrowed her eyes, staring at him like a demon getting angrier by the second. A volcanic rage was building inside her.

Blaze saw her expression and leaned back slightly, clearly enjoying it. He seemed to take pleasure in winding her up.

Just as a sharp response was about to leave Lena's lips, Hakan suddenly hit the brakes.

"We are here, brother," he called out.

The car slowed down, and Lena gritted her teeth, tearing her gaze away from Blaze. But her anger stayed exactly where it was.

Blaze walked toward the reception desk, illuminated by the hotel's dim lights. He rolled up his sleeves slightly and leaned on the counter.

"Hello, I am Blaze Kade. I have some rooms reserved. Can you help me?" he said in perfect, fluent English.

Lena watched him, her eyebrows raised in surprise. She had not expected him to have such a flawless accent. She had always seen him as one of those tough, stubborn men from Mardin. But now, with his stance, his accent, his confident attitude, he was so much more than that.

Ivy giggled and leaned toward Lena.

"Looks like they teach English to bears really well in Mardin."

Lena snapped her head toward her, her eyes sharp as a knife.

Ivy kept laughing, holding up her hands. "What? Do not get mad, but I give Blaze a solid ten. Anyone who calls this man a bear would turn to stone."

Lena hissed through her teeth. "Ivy."

Ivy quickly stepped back. "Okay, okay. Let us at least say cultured bear," she said, covering her mouth to stifle her laugh.

Lena shot her an angry look, then turned her eyes back to Blaze.

Blaze had finished at the front desk and was exchanging a few more words with the hotel staff. His face was expressionless, but his posture was pure confidence.

Without realizing it, Lena found herself studying him.

Who was this man, really?

Was he just Mardin's fearless CEO? Or were there darker, deeper secrets hidden in his past?

As her suspicion mixed with the question marks swirling in her head, Blaze turned his gaze to her for a moment.

Lena saw a flicker in his eyes. As if he could read her thoughts. The corner of his mouth curled up just slightly as he watched her...