Ariella's POV
Black is the color of power, but today, it's also the color of grief.
The limousine door swings open, and I step onto the lush green grass of the Sinclair Memorial Gardens.
Immediately I do, Camera lights flash and blink so quickly at my face that they match the rapid beat of my heart.
"Miss Sinclair! Over here!"
"How does it feel to inherit the empire?"
"Did your father leave any parting words before he died?"
I don't answer them and instead keep my head high, thankful for the black veil that's currently covering my face although it's trembling slightly in the gentle wind.
My father was a tyrant in a suit, but now he's a corpse in a coffin.
The empire he built— Sinclair Global Holdings— stretches across every single industry you can name: tech, finance, arms, fashion, real estate, pharmaceuticals and entertainment.
And now, all of it belongs to me.
"Miss Sinclair," I hear someone call, but I don't turn, thinking it's the press till a hand grabs me gently by my arm.
It's Richard, my father's attorney, in a suit that looks way older than I am.
"They're waiting for you," he tells me, giving me a look I can't exactly tell what it means with those small eyes of his.
Nodding I follow him through the sea of mourners, giving only a brief look and a nod at each of the faces that blur past me
There are politicians with fake tears, socialites with crocodile smiles and business rivals heartlessly calculating their next move against my father's company at his funeral.
But there's one particular row that draws my eye as I walk by, moving closer to their spot.
It's a row of seven men, all in black suits that make them look like undertakers rather than directors.
They're the Seven---- at least that's what we call them collectively------ the men who ruled my father's empire in his name.
I slow my steps to look at them properly even though the moment's too brief.
Rafael is leaning back with a smirk, having the audacity to have a calculating look in dark eyes.
Damon is straight-backed and coldly runs his gaze over me in a way that sends a shiver down my spine.
Luca is sitting cross legged with a designer scarf draped artfully across his chest.
Carter is smirking, actually smirking, with dark amusement in his eyes and I just faintly catch sight of the peeking out from his cuffs.
Elias is just smiling----- deceptively I'm sure.
Jace is completely stoic with his arms hands folded across his chest, and looks at me as if I'm a lab rat.
And Tristan is lounging with an easy smile curving up his lips. His smile looks so playful that I almost think his eyes are wicked.
I swallow hard, feeling my heart hammer as I final walk to stand in front of them.
Why do I feel like these men will be a problem to me?
They all rise to their feet at the same time.
"Miss Sinclair," Rafael drawls. "Welcome to the future."
"Future?" I repeat and my voice ends up coming out harsher than I had intended it to, then Damon speaks and I turn to face him, almost freezing on the spot by the kind of look he gives me.
"Your father's death changes nothing. Sinclair Global Holdings still stands, and you, Miss Sinclair, are now the face of it."
A bitter laugh rises in my throat and I retort "His legacy, you mean. His empire of lies."
Luca's smile is soft, and almost sympathetic at my words as he says, "Empires are built on more than lies, darling. They're built on power, and power demands loyalty."
I open my mouth to throw his words back at him, but Richard steps forward, clearing his throat to get all our attention.
"If you'll follow me, Miss Sinclair. The will is to be read in the boardroom."
'Boardroom', I can't believe this----- even here, at my father's funeral, everything is business.
The boardroom is a glass walled room and when we walk in the Seven Directors immediately take their seats around the table and fix their eyes on me.
I, however, refuse to sit and instead stand at the head of the table while my hands tremble slightly at my sides.
"Get on with it, Richard," I snap.
Richard opens a thick leather folder from a briefcase and begins to read;
"Per the last will and testament of Mr Alexander Sinclair, all assets and controlling shares of Sinclair Global Holdings are bequeathed to his only child, Ms Ariella Sinclair."
I let out a breath immediately he calls my name, feeling relieved.
But then Richard continues reading. "However, there is one stipulation."
My stomach drops. "Stipulation?"
What's going on?
I glance at the Seven and manage to get a glimpse of Rafael's smirk widening, Damon's eyes narrowing and Luca tilting his head, curiously.
Carter on the other lets out a low whistle while the rest have blank look on their faces.
Richard clears his throat again and I turn my attention back to him.
"In order to maintain the stability of the conglomerate, Miss Sinclair must marry the Seven Directors listed in the attached contract."
"What?!" I literally scream.
"It's standard, Ariella. It's means to ensure no single person or corporation can seize control," Damon says suddenly.
"Standard?" I hiss.
"This is insane. You can't be serious."
Why would my father write such an absurd condition in his will?
Why should there be an condition at all in the first place?
Rafael leans forward, and looks totally amused at my reaction.
"Darling, your father was nothing if not thorough. He wanted to make his empire stayed intact, and that means binding you to us."
"Binding me?" I choke. "Like a damn contract?!!"
Carter grins wolfishly at me. "Exactly like a contract."
Elias's voice is smooth, too smooth. "Consider it a partnership, Miss Sinclair," Elias says.
"Seven men, one empire, one wife."
Tristan chuckles, at his words. "Think of the headlines, love. Heiress Marries Seven Billionaires. Can She Survive the Power Play?"
I look at them horrified they're agreeing to this and suddenly my head starts to spin.
I grip the edge of the table tightly, but it's only to regain my balance so I don't fall.
"I won't do it."
Right then Richard places his aging hand on my back and I jerk, looking up at him.
"If you don't do as the will says, you'll forfeit everything---- the shares, the empire, your inheritance; all of it. Think again child."
My breath catches at his words and I turn to the Seven.
"You'd leave me with nothing?" I say and the statement comes out as a question to which Jace nods in response to.
"Your father's empire would be divided among the seven of us. That's the alternative."
Rafael suddenly stops smirking and looks at me seriously as he says, "Make no mistake, Ariella. This isn't a negotiation, it's survival."
I feel like I'm about to pass out.
I don't want to marry these men but I see now why my father put in this condition.
It's to let me have power and balance when I take over officially.
At this moment, my father's voice repays in my head: "Power is a game Ariella. Learn to play or be played."
My hands tremble as Richard slides the contract across the table and the pages blur in my sight as I feel my eyes itch by what I feel is lowest point I've reached in my entire life.
"Sign, Ariella," Damon says like a command.
"Or walk away with nothing."
The Seven lean in, each man waiting for me to refuse and be disgraced, and my heart pounds.
My mother's face turns in my mind, and I remember her soft and sad, and always afraid she looked.
I will never be like her, and I won't disappoint my father.
Having made up my mind, I pick up the pen with my cold trembling fingers and sign my name.
When I look up, Rafael's eyes lock with mine.
"Welcome to the game, Mrs. Sinclair-Director."