Chapter 3 — An Unexpected Request
1679 Words
By Thursday evening, Clara had almost convinced herself that the incident at the Blackwell mansion was behind her.
The farm had returned to its usual rhythm. The chickens needed feeding, the eggs needed collecting, and there was always something that needed repairing. Life on the farm did not stop because Clara had embarrassed herself in front of a billionaire.
If anything, she was grateful for the distraction.
She was carrying a basket of eggs toward the storage shed when her father called her.
“Clara.”
She turned.
He was standing beside the old pickup, holding a piece of paper.
“What?”
“Come here.”
She walked toward him.
“What happened?”
He handed her the paper.
“Read this.”
Clara looked down.
It was another order from Blackwell Corporation.
Her eyebrows rose.
“They increased it again?”
Her father nodded.
“How much?”
“Enough that we’ll need to collect eggs earlier tomorrow morning.”
Clara smiled.
“That’s good, isn’t it?”
“It is.”
“Then why do you look like someone died?”
Her father gave her a tired look.
“Because there is something else.”
Clara’s smile faded.
“What?”
“They changed the delivery instructions.”
She waited.
Her father looked uncomfortable.
“They want you to come with me tomorrow.”
Clara stared at him.
For a moment, she thought she had heard him incorrectly.
“What?”
“They specifically asked for you.”
She laughed once.
“That’s not funny.”
“I’m not joking.”
“Why would they ask for me?”
“I don’t know.”
Clara looked at the order sheet again.
“Maybe they made a mistake.”
“I thought so too.”
“Then call them.”
“I did.”
“And?”
“The instructions are correct.”
She frowned.
“Who gave the instruction?”
“My contact at the company.”
“Did you ask why?”
“Yes.”
“And?”
“He said he wasn’t told.”
Clara stared at the paper.
Only one thought came to her mind.
Adrian Blackwell.
“He doesn’t want me there.”
Her father said nothing.
“He specifically told Mrs. Collins that I shouldn’t return.”
“I know.”
“So why would they suddenly ask for me?”
“I don’t know.”
Clara folded her arms.
“Maybe he changed his mind.”
Her father shook his head.
“Men like him don’t change their minds without a reason.”
Clara looked at him.
“You said you weren’t going to overthink things.”
“I said you shouldn’t.”
She rolled her eyes.
“That’s Same thing.”
He took the order sheet back.
“You’re coming tomorrow.”
Clara stared at him.
“Papa.”
“It’s a business instruction.”
“But what if he throws me out again?”
“Then we’ll leave.”
“What if he gets angry?”
“Then we’ll leave.”
“What if..”
“Clara.”
She stopped.
Her father looked at her seriously.
“We need this contract.”
She knew exactly what he meant.
Their farm had been doing better since the Blackwell orders increased.
They had paid for another shipment of feed.
They had even managed to repair part of the chicken coop.
Losing the contract now would be disastrous.
Clara sighed.
“Fine.”
Her father nodded.
“Good.”
“But I’m not talking to him.”
“Fine.”
“I’m not looking at him either.”
Her father almost smiled.
“You don’t have to.”
“And if he says anything rude?”
“Don’t answer.”
Clara frowned.
“You’re enjoying this.”
“No.”
“You are.”
“I am enjoying the fact that you’re finally learning.”
She shook her head and walked away.
But the closer Friday morning came, the less comfortable she felt.
She couldn’t understand why Adrian would suddenly want her back.
If he had simply changed his mind, why hadn’t anyone explained it?
And if he hadn’t changed his mind, who had made the request?
That question stayed with her throughout the night.
She slept badly.
Again.
At the Blackwell mansion, Adrian had not given Clara Hayes a second thought.
At least, that was what he believed.
His morning had been consumed by meetings, reports, and phone calls.
By noon, his patience had already disappeared.
“Where is the quarterly report?”
His assistant stood in front of his desk.
“It will be ready shortly.”
“It was supposed to be ready an hour ago.”
“I apologize.”
Adrian’s eyes hardened.
“Don’t apologize. Fix it.”
“Yes, sir.”
The assistant turned to leave.
“Wait.”
He stopped.
“The Hayes delivery.”
“Yes?”
“Why are you bringing it up?”
“Their next delivery is tomorrow.”
“I know.”
“There was a change to the instructions.”
Adrian looked up.
“What change?”
“The farmers daughter will be coming with him”
Adrian’s expression immediately hardened.
“No.”
The assistant hesitated.
“Sir?”
“I already gave instructions.”
“Yes, sir.”
“She’s not to come.”
“Understood.”
The assistant left.
Adrian returned to his documents.
That should have been the end of it.
But an hour later, Mrs. Collins entered his study.
“Sir.”
“What?”
“There has been a change regarding tomorrow’s delivery.”
Adrian didn’t look up.
“I’ve already dealt with it.”
“I’m afraid not.”
His eyes lifted.
“What do you mean?”
“The order came directly from your mother.”
Adrian’s expression changed.
“What order?”
“She wants Clara Hayes to accompany her father tomorrow.”
Silence.
Adrian leaned back.
“Why?”
“I don’t know.”
“Then ask her.”
“She told me not to.”
His jaw tightened.
“Of course.”
Mrs. Collins remained near the door.
“Should I tell Mr. Hayes that the girl is still not permitted to enter the estate?”
Adrian stared at the documents in front of him.
His mother had no business interfering with his instructions.
But he also knew Victoria Blackwell well enough to understand that she rarely did anything without a reason.
“Let her come.”
Mrs. Collins looked surprised.
“Sir?”
Adrian’s gaze sharpened.
“I said let her come.”
“And if she causes another problem?”
“I’ll deal with it.”
Mrs. Collins nodded.
“Yes, sir.”
She turned to leave.
“Mrs. Collins.”
She stopped.
“Make sure the guards know she is here because of my mother’s instruction.”
“Understood.”
She left.
Adrian stared at the closed door.
He didn’t like this.
He didn’t like people interfering with his decisions.
And he especially didn’t like the idea of Clara Hayes returning to his home.
The girl had already tested his patience once.
He had no intention of allowing it to happen again.
But if his mother wanted to see her, then she could deal with the consequences herself.
Adrian turned back to his work.
He had more important things to worry about.
Across the city, Clara stood in front of her mirror the next morning.
She had changed clothes three times.
She stared at herself.
“Why am I even worried?”
She didn’t answer.
She picked up a simple handbag and walked outside.
Her father was already waiting.
He looked at her.
“You’re late young lady.”
“You’re the one who told me to take my time.”
“I didn’t say take all morning.”
Clara climbed into the passenger seat.
Her father started the engine.
For several minutes, neither spoke.
Then Clara said, “Papa.”
“Yes?”
“Do you think he will be there?”
Her father glanced at her.
“Who?”
She gave him a look.
“You know who.”
“I don’t know.”
Clara looked out the window.
“I hope he isn’t.”
Her father smiled faintly.
“You were the one who called him a jerk.”
“I didn’t call him that to his face.”
“You wanted to.”
“That doesn’t count.”
He laughed quietly.
The truck continued toward Westmere.
As the Blackwell estate came into view, Clara’s stomach tightened.
The massive gates stood exactly as she remembered them.
Only this time, she wasn’t seeing them for the first time.
She knew what waited beyond them.
Her father slowed the truck.
The guards approached.
One of them checked the delivery papers.
Then he looked at Clara.
“She’s expected.”
Clara’s eyes widened slightly.
Her father nodded.
The gates opened.
The truck moved forward.
Neither of them noticed the black SUV parked near the mansion.
Inside it sat Victoria Blackwell.
She watched Clara through the tinted window.
Her expression was unreadable.
Then she turned to the woman sitting beside her.
“That’s her?”
The woman nodded.
“Yes.”
Victoria looked back toward the approaching truck.
“Interesting.”
The woman lowered her voice.
“Do you think Adrian will be angry?”
Victoria’s lips curved into a faint smile.
“He probably will.”
“And you’re still going to do it?”
Victoria’s eyes remained fixed on Clara.
“Of course.”
The truck stopped near the service entrance.
Clara opened the door.
She took one breath before stepping out.
She had no idea why someone on the Blackwell family had requested her presence.
She had no idea what the person wanted but she hoped the order didn’t come from the devil himself”
And she certainly didn’t know that before the day was over, she would hear something about Adrian’s past that would make her see the cold billionaire differently.
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