Chapter 26 The Blackwood Legacy
For a man who had spent years navigating hostile boardrooms and deadly negotiations, Damian Blackwood rarely found himself in unfamiliar territory.
But standing on the marble balcony of the Cole estate, facing Victoria and James Cole, he knew–this was
different.
Ariana stood between him and her parents, her gaze flickering between them like she was sizing up a battle yet
to begin.
Victoria Cole, regal as ever, arched a brow. “You came all this way, Mr. Blackwood. The least we could do is offer you a drink.”
James chuckled beside her, though there was an edge to it. “Or an interrogation.”
Damian smirked. “I wouldn’t expect anything less.”
Ariana sighed, pinching the bridge of her nose. “Please don’t scare him off before I do.”
Victoria smirked. “Oh, darling. If he’s worth your time, he won’t scare easily.”
Damian held her gaze, his gray eyes unreadable. “I don’t.”
James nodded approvingly. “Then come in.”
Ariana shot Damian a warning look–one that silently asked are you sure you want to do this?
Damian smirked.
He had faced worse threats than protective parents.
The Cole estate was just as Damian had expected–understated wealth, classic elegance, and power woven into every detail.
They led him into the drawing room, where a grand fireplace crackled, the scent of aged whiskey and polished wood filling the space.
Victoria poured herself a drink, offering a pointed glance at Damian.
“Whiskey?”
Damian smirked. “Please.”
James sat across from him, his piercing gaze assessing.
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Chapter 26 The Blackwood Legacy
“You don’t do casual visits, James stated, echoing Ariana’s words from earlier.
Damian took his glass, swirling the amber liquid. “Neither do you.”
James chuckled. “Fair point.” He leaned forward. “Tell me, Damian–what exactly are your intentions with my daughter?”
Ariana groaned. “Dad.”
Damian, however, didn’t flinch.
He set his glass down, meeting James’s gaze with steady confidence.
“My intentions,” he said smoothly, “are whatever Ariana wants them to be.”
Victoria lifted a brow. “Good answer.”
James exhaled, studying him. “Your father would have hated that response.”
Damian stilled.
For a brief second, the room shifted–the easy tension replaced by something darker, heavier.
Ariana stiffened. “You knew his father?”
James nodded. “Theodore Blackwood and I crossed paths many times.”
Damian’s jaw ticked.
His father’s shadow always found a way to creep in.
“He was a brilliant businessman,” James continued. “But reckless. Thought himself untouchable.”
Damian’s grip on his glass tightened. “And you?”
James smirked. “I knew where to draw the line.”
Victoria sighed, sipping her drink. “Theodore was a force of nature, but he made too many enemies. His downfall was inevitable.”
Ariana watched Damian carefully.
Because while his expression remained unreadable, she saw the flicker of tension in his posture.
He didn’t talk about his father much.
But now?
Now, he was trapped in a room full of people who had known the man before he fell.
“Damian isn’t his father,” Ariana said firmly, breaking the moment.
Damian’s eyes flickered to hers, something warm and unreadable passing through them.
James nodded. “No, he isn’t.” He leaned back, studying Damian again. “Which is why I’m curious. How did you manage to succeed where he failed?”
Damian smirked, but there was no humor in it.
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Chapter 26 The Blackwood Legacy
“Simple,” he said smoothly. “I learned from his mistakes.”
After an hour of conversation–one filled with challenges, subtle threats, and reluctant admiration–Damian finally stepped outside, exhaling slowly.
Ariana followed him, wrapping her arms around herself.
“You survived,” she teased.
Damian chuckled. “Barely.”
Ariana leaned against the balcony railing, studying him. “You didn’t like talking about your father.”
Damian exhaled, running a hand through his hair. “I don’t.”
Ariana hesitated. “What happened between you two?”
Damian’s jaw tightened.
“He was brilliant,” he admitted. “But he was arrogant. He thought power meant he could do whatever he wanted, that enemies wouldn’t come for him.”
Ariana stayed silent, letting him speak.
Damian’s fingers curled around the railing. “The day he died, I promised myself I would never be like him. Never make the same mistakes.”
Ariana reached for his hand, lacing their fingers together.
“You aren’t him,” she murmured.
Damian exhaled.
And for the first time in a long time–he almost believed it.
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