Chapter 53

VIVIAN POV

As I stood tall by the window, folding my arms across my chest, I watched Kian leave with a sense of resolve. The atmosphere seemed clear, and I knew I had no intention of stopping him. I couldn't make him choose between me and his family; that was a decision only he could make.

All I could do was ensure that I used all the authority and power I had right now to protect myself and what was rightfully mine. I felt a sense of determination wash over me as I watched Kian's car disappear into the distance.

I turned away from the window, my eyes scanning the room as I took a deep breath, I knew that this was just the beginning.

The sound of my phone suddenly snapped me back to reality, breaking the spell of determination that had settled over me. I looked down to see our lawyer, Louis's name flashing on the screen. I wondered why she was calling me now, of all times.

"Hey how are you doing Louis," I said, my voice soft and cool, as I answered the call.

"Sorry to disturb you," Louis said, her voice warm and concerned. "I just wanted to check up on you. Did you manage to enter the mansion?"

I nodded, even though she couldn't see me. "Yeah, I'm inside now."

There was a pause on the other end of the line, and for a moment, I wondered if the connection had been lost. But then Louis spoke up again.

"Hmm, very good. Do you still have any plans of getting back with Kian?"

I paused, looking out the window at the gate, where Kian's car had disappeared from view. I felt a pang of uncertainty, and my mind raced with conflicting emotions.

"I don't know," I said finally, my voice barely above a whisper. "Maybe when everything turns out better, we can be good again."

Louis chuckled, a warm, throaty sound. "I see," she said. "Well, just take care of yourself, okay? And don't hesitate to reach out if you need anything."

With that, she ended the call, leaving me to my thoughts. I stood there for a moment, lost in reflection, wondering what the future held for Kian and me.

MARTHA POV

"This girl seems to be getting ahead of me," I said, my voice cold and low, my eyes narrowing as I gazed out the window. "I cannot let her have everything I've protected, everything I have plans for. Just to become the real owner of Blackwood, I have done incredible things, but she has done absolutely nothing to deserve this."

My anger grew with each passing moment, my mind racing with thoughts of how I had been wronged. "I should have killed grandfather sooner, before Vivian arrived," I muttered to myself, my eyes blazing with fury.

Just then, my phone rang, shrill in the silence. I hesitated for a moment, wondering who it could be. But then I saw the name on the screen - our family doctor.

I hesitated for a moment, unsure if I wanted to answer it. But something compelled me to pick up.

"Hello?" I said, my voice still cold and detached.

"Martha, it's Dr. Lee. I hope I'm not disturbing you," the doctor said, his voice warm and concerned.

I shook my head, even though he couldn't see me. "No, What can I do for you? And how many times have I told you not to call me if I dont call you."

"I just wanted to check in on you," Dr. Lee said. "I heard about the...ahem...developments at Blackwood. I wanted to make sure you're doing okay."

I laughed, a harsh, mirthless sound. "I'm doing great, Just peachy."

Dr. Lee's tone turned serious. "Martha... Dont stress over it too much, worry about your health. we can come up with a plan together” he said.

I rolled my eyes, even though he couldn't see me. "My health is the last thing on my mind, Don't worry about me. I can take care of myself."

There was a pause on the other end of the line, and for a moment, I wondered if Dr. Lee was going to push the issue. But then he spoke up again.

"Okay, Martha. Just be careful, okay?"

I nodded. "I will, Thanks for checking in, I will come by at your office later.

With that, the call ended, and I was left alone with my thoughts once again. But I knew I couldn't stay still for long. I had plans to put in motion, because I wont let Vivian take everything away from me.

I walked to the door and opened it, a mixture of surprise and annoyance on my face. "What on earth are you doing here?" I asked, my voice firm but curious.

He walked in slowly, his eyes scanning through the room as he smiled. "I can offer myself a seat if you won't," he said, and sat down, crossing his legs with a wide smile on his face.

I raised an eyebrow, intrigued despite myself. I decided to also sit and hear him out, curiosity getting the better of me.

"Mother," he said, his smile still plastered on his face, his tone unserious. I gazed at him, taken aback. This was the first time he had ever called me "mother." I wondered what strings he wanted to pull today.

I sat down across from him, my eyes narrowing slightly. "What do you want, Julian?" I asked, my voice firm but cautious.

He chuckled, a low, throaty sound. "Oh, I guess you must have seen through me”. He said 

I raised an eyebrow, skeptical. "Save it, Julian. What do you really want?"

He shrugged, his smile never wavering. "Well... I just have a little offer for you” he said 

I leaned forward, my eyes glinting with anger. "What is it”.

Julian leaned back in his chair, his eyes never leaving mine. "Well... I know you killed grandfather” he said “But I have no intention of ratting you out, You have been working with the family doctor. You two killed grandfather and made it look like a kidney problem, you gave him pills to end him faster. I know about everything” he spat.

I smiled, a cold, calculating smile. "Since when” I said with a smile on my face.

"Let's just say, it's been a long time, “Julian  said, his voice dripping with malice. "I knew you had plans of killing grandfather. I overheard your conversation. But mother, I've known you to be a ruthless person. I was just waiting for this perfect moment to strike you."

My eyes widened in shock, my mind racing with the implications. How did he know? I thought I had been so careful.

Julian’s smile grew wider, his eyes glinting with triumph. "You see, mother, I've been playing a long game. And the long game is to win and to claim Blackwood for myself."

I laughed, a cold, mirthless sound. "You think you can have the company?”.

Julian shrugged, his smile never wavering. "You wouldn’t want the press and Kian to hear about this would you?”.

With that, he stood up, his eyes never leaving mine. I knew then that I was in grave danger, Julian was not going to stop here.