The quiet in the grand Elmont mansion wasn't that of peace.
It was a heavy silence that conveyed nothing else but pressure.
In the study, Aria Elmont, interim CEO of her late father's corporate holdings, sat upright in the leather chair of the study– a position that once belonged to her father, Devan Elmont.
Her long blonde hair grazed her shoulders, as straight as her expression that scorned promises. Especially, the one before her right now.
A promise made without her, one that had led her to this very overwhelming point in her life.
Across from her, on the other side of the wide glass top mahogany table between them, sat Mr. Emmanuel Delacroix, an aged man of dark gray hair and an astute build.
Mr. Delacroix was her father's longtime friend, and the man she now had to negotiate with alongside their estate lawyer, Mr. Harrow, who was well-groomed for the occasional meeting, sitting right beside Mr. Delacroix.
This meeting wasn't about business. It was about legacy; a burden she is to carry. One that had been signed long before she had any say in the matter.
Her father had left a will before his unfortunate death. And in the will, he left a binding clause that one of his daughters must marry the son of his long time friend, Mr. Delacroix. Else, the inheritance of all his assets remains partial and frozen on hold.
It was a promise between two friends, signed years ago in ink and trust. And now, it has become Aria's prison.
Being the elder sister, Aria chose to carry this burden on her own. She couldn't let her lovely younger sister be forced into a marriage she never wanted.
She'd never allow that!
Since the clause in the will allowed that any of them could, then she would carry the weight of their father's "wish". Even though it wasn't something she wanted.
This was what it meant to be the elder one, and the heiress. A responsibility that comes with endless sacrifices.
Something she never wanted her little sister, Mira, to go through.
" Let's proceed. So today, we're here to discuss today the fulfillment of the contractual obligations between the Elmont family and the Delacroix's" Mr. Harrow began, tugging at the collar of his suit, his plump yet maturely-bearded face donned a serious expression that contrasted his usual mildness.
Aria's sharp and angular face remained unreadable as the lawyer spoke; not unlike a pretty princess at poker. She remained silent as she swept her gaze at the people present in the room calmly. But deep inside, her mind was reeling.
Her life was a mess right now, after the series of events in the last few days.
She was still haunted by her younger sister's voice days ago when she called crying:
"He's threatening to ruin me, Aria. I don't even know if he has anything, but… what if he does? What if he leaks the things he claims he has on me? Help me, Aria!"
Mira, her sister, was only nineteen and still in college. Still soft, and still dreamy.
Aria couldn't stand by and watch her fall victim to a blackmail.
She'd contacted her old friend, Detective Daniel Reiss; an entanglement she'd never forget.
Daniel being as loyal as he is, had done her a favor. He'd tracked the blackmailer, traced the crypto wallet he requested the money be sent to, and had found the culprit through it.
Daniel and his team managed to apprehend the guy, and it turned out it was all just a bluff.
Apparently, it was just another classic case of a college boy looking for a quick grab from another rich college girl through empty threats of a blackmail.
Aria had been furious and intent to charge him to court, making him face the consequences of his actions.
However, that decision had barely been made when Mr. Delacroix suddenly showed up with news along with Mr. Harrow.
Kain, his son, who was the intended groom she was to marry to fulfill the clause of the will, had gotten into trouble.
One that involved threats of blackmail, allegations, and a possible court charge that could end up landing him in jail.
Kain was Mira's blackmailer!
He's the one she's to marry...?
Aria's experienced dark brown eyes flickered out of her daze, as she returned her focus to the meeting at hand. Looking back at what'd happened in the past few days, she felt disgusted at the mere thought of being with Kain.
She looked towards Mr. Delacroix, looking nothing like her father's humble and passionate friend anymore as he seemed like a bugging pest she just couldn't get rid of these days.
His son was the sole reason this meeting was happening now, as otherwise, Aria wouldn't have called for this meeting.
If it wasn't for the fact that she couldn't let him, Aria believed Kain should rot in jail. However, that would put their inheritance at a risk.
The contract couldn't be fulfilled if the groom-to-be was sitting in prison!
How is it to be heard that she, the interim CEO of the Elmont corporate enterprise, was married to a prisoner.
More so, it'd only make it easier for Mira to find out.
So, fearing not only that she and Mira might lose their father's assets if the contract wasn't fulfilled, but also Mira having to find out that Kain was behind the blackmail, Aria had the case swept under the rug and decided to get the marriage issue done with before this reckless bastard would ruin their lives.
"I offered to pay," Aria said now, her sultry yet authoritative voice measured. "I want out of the contract, I've told you several times Mr. Delacroix. As I said, I'm willing to hand a financial settlement."
Mr. Harrow, the lawyer, gave a polite shrug. "It was reviewed, and eventually declined." He signed in defeat as he nodded towards Mr. Delacroix.
Mr. Delacroix leaned forward, tone croaky, yet warm and firm. "Aria, you have to understand. This wasn't just a contract to your father, It is a bond between our families which was meant to be joined. I promised Devan, and I gave him my word when he'd asked that this be done. It would be disrespectful to not respect the wish of the deceased."
"Your son blackmailed my sister," Aria retorted coldly, her gaze creasing as she clutched the armrests of the chair she sat on, frustrated at Mr. Delacroix's insistence. " And you still believe in honoring whatever legacy this is?"
How was she supposed to get married to the person who blackmailed her sister? How was she to face Mira afterwards?
Mr. Delacroix faltered. " A-and I thank you for intervening. Look, he isn't someone like that. I don't know what got into him, maybe he and Mira had a little scuffle perhaps--"
"So? That doesn't make it any better!" Aria rejoindered harshly, her fury evident in her tone.
Just then, through the door to the study that had been left wide open for this very same purpose, a tall attractive young man with an arrogant and cocky demeanor strolled in like he owned the place.
His dark eyes scanned the room as lazily as his shoulder length hair that was dyed jet black, looking from Mr. Delacroix to the lawyer, until his gaze landed on Aria.
Aria stared back, she had an inkling this was the bastard they'd all been waiting for.
Mr. Delacroix stood. " Kain, you're late."
It was Kain!