THE INHERITANCE CONTRACT

Can we talk?

Lena started fidgeting in her seat with anger. "This is ridiculous, Ms. Lawyer! This isn't an inheritance, it's outright blackmail!" she complained.

Blaze crossed his legs and unbuttoned his jacket as if trying to relax. His shirt was tight between his chest muscles. He sighed restlessly and complained with a cold expression.

"Learning that he was your father doesn't seem to interest you as much as learning about the inheritance. Someone who thinks like this getting this inheritance would make Said Father turn in his grave. Donating it to charities would be wiser."

Lena got even angrier at Blaze's attitude. Who was this man to judge her?! She turned to him angrily.

"I don't want the inheritance of a man who was never a father to me anyway, sir! Besides, it's not your place to judge the daughter of a man you're not even related to by blood!" she said, standing up abruptly and heading for the door.

Blaze stood up calmly, straightening his shirt sleeves. He called after her.

"So no marriage, no inheritance… Good! I wouldn't have wanted to deal with a goat like you anyway."

Lena spun around angrily, fuming through her nose. She could strangle this man!

Blaze turned to the lawyer with a nonchalant attitude. "Ms. Lawyer, I'll be here for two more days. Let me know if my signature is needed for the inheritance transfer," he said, bidding farewell and leaving the door without even looking at Lena's face.

Lena was fuming with anger. Breathing through her teeth, she quickly left the room.

When she arrived at the exit of the law office, she opened her car door. Just as she was about to get in, she was startled by the sound of her phone. It was her assistant calling.

"Yes, Yaz, what is it?"

The voice on the other end of the phone was excited.

"Lena, where are you?! They've arrived, the New York team! They came for the project! A writer from our office has been selected! Didn't you also enter the competition?!"

A huge smile suddenly appeared on Lena's face. The head writer competition…

The person who would become the head of the magazine's New York division would be selected. She had worked non-stop for two years and had been waiting for this moment!

"I'm coming right away! Prepare my desk! And Yaz… You need to make me shine as much as possible. I want all my award-winning articles on my desk!"

"That's on me, boss! Don't you worry!"

Lena excitedly jumped into her car. When she pressed the gas pedal, only one thing was on her mind…

*This is my chance!*

Lena had completely forgotten all this ridiculous day in one fell swoop. She happily ran to the meeting room, opened the door, and rushed inside… and stood in shock.

Samuel, the leader of the New York team, and Bella were literally making out on the table. Bella's miniskirt was completely pulled up, and the man's hands were wandering on her legs.

A sly smile settled on Lena's face. "Haha, sorry! I thought the meeting had started," she said mockingly and slammed the door shut as she left.

"That slut had been with her fiancé Erik for a year… Now she's cheating on him too? What a magnificent event!" she murmured. "Stupid Erik, he got what he deserved. This woman betrayed me, who she called her 'closest friend,' working knee to knee in the same office… Wouldn't she do it to you?"

Samuel, on the other hand, meant nothing to her. Even if she became the head of the New York team, she wouldn't have to deal with him. The man was the spokesperson for the investors, so she didn't even care what the hell he was doing.

When she got to her office, Yaz was organizing her desk.

"Ohh, you've arrived! Welcome," he said cheerfully.

"I'm here! Are we ready?"

"Yep! Ready and waiting," Yaz replied with an energetic voice.

Minutes later, the meeting had started. The board official spoke:

"Our writer has been selected. I congratulate them in advance. Samuel, I'll give you the floor to make the announcement."

Samuel stood up.

"Friends, the Turkish branch of our magazine has produced some great work in the last few years. We are very pleased with this location's team. Especially Ms. Lena, your achievements are impressive."

Lena nodded proudly.

"Yes, we have selected someone with a very broad vision for the New York team who will fit the dynamic structure of the team. I extend my congratulations… Bella Kalıpçı!"

It was as if lightning had struck her brain. *"That Bella?!"*

She quickly stood up and slammed her hand on the table!

"What the hell is going on here?! Is this why she was under Bella on the meeting table just now? Was she paying her?!" she snarled.

The team was frozen in shock.

Bella immediately jumped up, her eyes filled with tears, and spoke with a trembling voice.

"What kind of slander is this?! Your fiancé attacked me while I was drunk. It was an involuntary encounter! Are you still trying to take revenge for this?!" she started crying.

What was this slut saying?! She had started writing and acting out a script in ten seconds.

The magazine manager quickly stood up.

"Ms. Lena, your nerves are frayed. I think you should rest a bit."

Lena hissed through her teeth, "I think you should take a break from resting, Manager." She continued, "I've had a hand in all the magazine's written output for years, I've put effort into everything, but I see that you don't even raise your voice at such an unfair decision. I'm leaving! Let's see if you can continue to lie back and do nothing… while I'm not doing all your work?"

She grabbed her bag and quickly headed for the door.

And just at that moment…

"Then I'm also resigning, Manager."

She turned around in surprise.

Yaz adjusted his glasses and smiled at Lena.

"I wouldn't stay somewhere where injustice isn't spoken out against."

Lena felt genuine happiness at this loyalty. "We're coming, Yaz," she said and slammed the door as they left.

A few hours later…

Yaz whispered:

"Don't worry, I'll come by this evening. I'll collect all your awards and work. I won't leave them here."

Lena smiled and nodded. "I know, my dear Yaz… I'm glad you exist."

Now, with Yaz by her side, they had moved to Ivy's pilates studio.

Ivy came with two cups of tea. "Drink this, let your energy get a little better."

Yaz had leaned his elbow on the table, lost in thought. Lena, on the other hand, had her arms crossed over her chest, grumbling with anger.

"Apparently, I'm not a woman in this damn world! Everyone uses what they've got, what is this?!"

Yaz looked at Lena in surprise.

Lena turned to him and clenched her teeth. "Cover your ears, Yaz!"

Ivy said angrily, "What do you expect from a slut? We call a slut a slut! Her sense of shame is cracked."

Yaz took a deep breath and ran his hand through his hair. "What are we going to do, Ms. Lena?" he murmured.

Lena's brain seemed to have stopped. She had lost all her investors, and on top of that, she had lost her job. A whole lifetime of effort had collapsed in just a few minutes. But what really weighed on her conscience was that Yaz had also lost his job.

"I wish you hadn't resigned, Yaz," she said uneasily.

Yaz immediately replied. "Ms. Lena, the moment I say I've been your assistant for years, many workplaces would line up to hire me. I'm not the issue… I want to work with you. The real question is what you're going to do. We're a team. I won't leave you."

Lena's eyes filled with tears. That feeling of loneliness inside her had lightened, even if just for a moment, with Yaz's words. "You're one of a kind, Yaz," she murmured.

A few minutes later, Yaz got up and started moving. "I'll go to the office and pack our belongings. Then I'll go home and wait to hear from you. Do you need anything from me?"

Lena looked at him gratefully. "Thank you, dear. Rest well," she said softly.

Yaz nodded and quickly left.

Lena put her head in her hands and took a deep breath. What was she going to do now?

There was a faint sadness on Ivy's face. "My friend, something else has happened… What is it?" she asked, noticing the weight in Lena's eyes.

Lena took a deep breath as if wanting to let go of everything building up inside her, and told her what had happened. The inheritance issue, her father, who the man she thought was an escort really turned out to be…

"Girl, the man literally thinks I'm a heartless gold-digger," Lena said with a bitter smile. "As if that wasn't enough, because I thought he was an escort, he also thinks I'm immoral. Perfect combination!"

Ivy's face fell. "I'm sorry, my dear… Yes, getting married for an inheritance is a bit ridiculous, but wouldn't you want to see the lands where your mother and father lived, where they fell in love, the house where you were born?" she said, holding Lena's hands.

Then she paused for a moment and added with a smile, "I even have a suggestion. If you want, I'll come with you too! A month, two weeks, or however long you want…"

Lena looked at her with emotional eyes. "Your studio is here, you have work… Are you saying you'd leave all that and come with me to lands you don't know?"

Ivy nodded proudly. "My dear, I'm an orphan, I only have a grandmother… The only person I've known and loved as family up to this age is you. You're my sister. I'd even come with you to death!"

Lena hugged her happily.

Hours later, Lena returned home. Tired, she took a shower and felt the relaxing effect of the warm water. When she got out, she put on a mini shorts and a small tank top. She decided to snack on something and ordered food. She turned on the television, wanting to just watch something mindlessly today.

Just then, the doorbell rang. She thought it was the food, but it was trouble that had come.

When she opened the door, Blaze Kade stood before her with his sharp gaze.

"Can we talk?" he said, his voice low but commanding.