THE BILLIONAIRE'S UGLY DUCKLING

Chapter3

Emma's POV

I read the message: “Come to the office; I've left home already. You came late.” Even though I was still desperate to see that the whole thing was a prank, I went on.

I quickly told the driver to let him know when to turn so we could head to the Blackwoods Enterprise, and he agreed.

I looked out over the city as the car moved at a steady, slow speed. The thought of what Alexander would tell me kept shifting from one opinion to the other.

When I finally got to the Black woods' Enterprise, I alighted and walked towards Alexander's office.

Adrian saw me on my way but didn't say anything. Seeing him made my heart skip a beat.

But he was meters away, so I just wanted to escape his sight.

My heart still raced from the previous night's event, and seeing him broke me more. The fact I was even in my casual wear made me more embarrassed.

I tightened my fingers around the strap of my handbag, lowered my gaze, and walked faster, afraid that if I looked at anyone for too long, the tears I had been fighting would finally escape.

The moment I stepped into Alexander’s office, the quiet swallowed me whole.

The door closed behind me with a soft click, but the sound felt deafening in the silence.

Floor-to-ceiling windows stretched across one wall, revealing the glittering city below.

A massive mahogany desk sat at the center, spotless and imposing, while shelves of neatly arranged books lined the walls.

The faint scent of expensive cologne lingered in the air.

Alexander is the only considerate one I know among the Blackwoods after Adrian.

But I fear he may also do what Adrian has done to me. Anyway, it will hurt me less, but the fact that he is related to Adrian will hurt me more.

“Sit,” he said. I pulled out a chair from the table and sat. I gripped the handle of my handbag with both hands, sitting stiffly like I didn't belong in a room this grand. “How are you doing? How was your proposal? Can I see your ring?”

“Proposal?” I asked, surprised.

His frown told me he didn't know anything that had happened between Adrian and me.

“Adrian didn't propose to me. I'm heartbroken, so…” I tried to find the right word to end my sentence, but I couldn't.

“You mean Adrian didn't propose to you?” He paused, and I didn't say anything. Then he continued, “I knew it! That friend of yours, right?”

At this point, I began to wonder: something must have been going on between the two before, but my mind had never crossed that thought.

“I had called you here to congratulate you and give you some gifts, but I'm so sorry, Emma. I never knew Adrian would be such a scoundrel.” He lowered his gaze to his table like he was ashamed of what Adrian had done. “You have been a nice girl and always stood by him. I will talk to him, but you can have the gifts.” He looked at me and handed me a box wrapped with a tie.

My heart melted at the nice gesture. “Thank you,” I said with a warm smile.

“My pleasure. I will send a driver to carry them along with you,” he said. I nodded and was about to turn to the door when he said:

“And don't think too much; I know you love Adrian, so we will have things figured out.”

I turned to him again and let out a gentle “thank you” with a smile.

His support encouraged me, and I thought things would be okay again, so I let go of my worries and just put things together.

I got home with my gift, unboxed it, and found bags, a set of jewelry, and a diary.

My dad was sitting in the corner of the dining room with his newspaper widely spread on his lap, covering his face. I think it's the perfect time to ask him about his connection with the Blackwoods.

“Hello, Dad,” I said playfully.

“Hi, dear,” he said, dropping his paper and adjusting his glasses.

“I have a serious question,” I said.

“Go on,” he said, lowering his head and looking at me with seriousness in his face.

“What's the relationship between you and the Blackwoods? What does Adrian mean when he said, ‘ask your father what he did to my family?’” I asked.

He lowered his face to the table, removing his glasses. He rubbed his face. “I want to know, Dad,” I asked further.

“You see, Daniel and I used to be friends, and that's all.”

There is more to this than what you just said, Dad, I need to know.”

He stood up, without even looking at me. “Have a nice day, Emmy,” he said and left for his room.

The thought of my family's business and its failure filled every corner of my mind, with little thought of my breakup with Adrian.

My dad owned the best textile company in New York City, but I didn't know what happened when the business crashed.

Just then, a notification came through my phone, and surprisingly, it was Adrian.

For a second, I couldn't breathe; my stomach twisted. I stared at my phone and read: “Meet me at the Blackwoods mansion in a few hours this evening. I'm sending a driver.”

I exhaled shakily. I didn't know what to do anymore. Part of me wanted to forget him, to walk away and never look back. But another part, the part that still loved him, wanted to believe there was an explanation for everything.

I agreed to meet him with the expectation of an apology. In a few hours, I was at the mansion already. I walked into the mansion, eyes on me, especially the Blackwoods. I felt awkward, but I kept my head up high anyway.

I kept watching and walking through the mansion like an old museum, briefly touching the walls and objects.

Until I got to the door, I got curious because of the laughter I could hear from behind the door. It seemed some men were behind the door, drinking from glasses and discussing some personal stuff.

“You know what’s funny, Dad? She still thinks the Blackwoods had nothing to do with it.” But that was Adrian's voice. “Emma Bennett really thought she was going to become a Blackwood?” They laughed again.

“Her family's business can't overtake ours, at least not under my watch,” Richard said firmly.

I could hear the sound of him dropping his glass cup on the table while laughing.

He continued, “Your little fiancée was always so proud of that family's name. Imagine her face if she ever found out who destroyed them.” My blood ran cold.

And just then, someone called my name out loud; the room became quiet, and I froze in fear.