Chapter 2 THE MAIDEN WHO INHERITED A SECRET EMPIRE

THE MAIDEN WHO INHERITED A SECRET EMPIRE

Chapter 2: The Heiress Returns

The black limousine stopped in front of an enormous mansion surrounded by tall iron gates.

Elena stared through the window, unable to hide her shock.

The mansion looked more like a royal palace than a family home. Beautiful fountains stood on either side of the driveway, while perfectly trimmed gardens stretched as far as her eyes could see.

"Is this where my father lived?" she asked.

Richard Hayes nodded.

"Yes, Miss Williams. Blackwood Manor was his residence for many years."

Elena looked down at her simple black dress and worn-out shoes.

She suddenly felt uncomfortable.

She had spent her entire life struggling to pay rent, buying cheap groceries, and working several small jobs to support her mother.

Yet somewhere in this enormous mansion, people had been living comfortably with the fortune that was supposed to belong to her.

"Why didn't anyone tell me about this place?" she whispered.

"Your father wanted to protect you. After his disappearance, things became complicated."

Richard opened the car door.

"Come with me. The family is waiting."

Elena stepped out.

The moment she entered the mansion, several servants stopped what they were doing and stared at her.

Whispers immediately spread through the enormous entrance hall.

"Who is she?"

"Another guest?"

"Why did Mr. Hayes bring her here?"

Elena ignored them and followed Richard towards the main sitting room.

Inside, a handsome man in a perfectly tailored black suit sat comfortably on a leather sofa.

He had sharp features, dark hair, and an expression that suggested he was accustomed to getting whatever he wanted.

Adrian Blackwood.

The current chairman of Blackwood Global.

He glanced up when Elena entered.

"Richard, who is this?"

Richard stepped forward.

"Mr. Adrian, I'd like you to meet Miss Elena Williams."

Adrian barely looked at her.

"And why exactly is she here?"

Richard placed a brown envelope on the glass table.

"She is Alexander Blackwood's biological daughter."

Silence.

Adrian slowly put down his glass.

Then he laughed.

"That's a joke, right?"

"I'm afraid not, sir."

Adrian stood up and examined Elena from head to toe.

"This girl?"

Elena clenched her fists.

"Yes. This girl."

He raised an eyebrow.

"Do you have any idea who you're claiming to be?"

"I'm not claiming anything. I'm simply here to collect what belongs to me."

Adrian burst into laughter.

"Interesting. A stranger walks into my house wearing cheap clothes and suddenly claims to be the daughter of Alexander Blackwood."

Elena's cheeks burned.

Richard stepped forward.

"Sir, I have the necessary documents, including the paternity confirmation and the original will."

Adrian's smile disappeared.

"Show me."

Richard handed him the documents.

Adrian scanned the first page.

His expression changed.

He read the second page.

Then the third.

For the first time, he looked genuinely disturbed.

"Where did you get these?"

"From Alexander's private legal archive."

Adrian slammed the papers onto the table.

"This is nonsense!"

Elena stepped forward.

"My mother told me the truth before she died. I'm not here to argue with you."

Adrian turned towards her.

"Your mother?"

"Margaret Williams."

Something flickered across Adrian's face.

He knew that name.

"Where is she?"

Elena's eyes filled with tears.

"She died yesterday."

For a moment, Adrian said nothing.

Then he leaned back against the table.

"How unfortunate."

His cold response made Elena's blood boil.

"She was a human being. You could at least show some respect."

Adrian stepped closer.

"Listen carefully, little girl. Whatever your mother told you, you should forget it. This company belongs to me."

Elena looked straight into his eyes.

"Not according to my father's will."

Adrian's jaw tightened.

Before he could respond, another voice interrupted them.

"What's happening here?"

Everyone turned.

A beautiful woman wearing a designer dress entered the room. Her long blonde hair fell over her shoulders, and expensive jewellery decorated her neck.

She was Victoria Blackwood, Adrian's fiancée.

She looked at Elena with obvious disgust.

"Who is this?"

Adrian gave a humourless smile.

"Apparently, my uncle's long-lost daughter."

Victoria covered her mouth dramatically.

"Seriously?"

She examined Elena's dress and laughed.

"Well, I suppose the mansion is becoming a charity home."

Elena looked at her calmly.

"At least I know how to respect people."

Victoria's smile vanished.

"Excuse me?"

"You heard me."

Richard quickly stepped between them.

"Please, everyone. We need to discuss the legal arrangements."

He opened another document.

"According to Alexander Blackwood's will, Elena is entitled to fifty-one percent of the company's voting shares, ownership of Blackwood Manor, and control of the family's private investment portfolio."

Victoria's face turned pale.

"Fifty-one percent?"

Adrian snatched the document.

"That cannot be right!"

Richard nodded.

"It is perfectly legal."

Adrian stared at Elena.

His expression had changed completely.

She was no longer an insignificant stranger.

She was a threat.

A very serious one. LATER THAT EVENING

Elena was shown to a luxurious bedroom on the second floor.

She stood in front of the enormous mirror, looking at herself.

Everything around her was beautiful, but she couldn't feel happy.

Her mother was dead.

Her father had been murdered.

And the people who should have welcomed her were treating her like an enemy.

A soft knock interrupted her thoughts.

"Come in."

Richard entered carrying a small black box.

"Miss Elena, I believe this belongs to you."

She opened it.

Inside was a beautiful diamond necklace with the same eagle-and-crown symbol engraved on its pendant.

There was also a folded note.

Elena opened it carefully.

The handwriting was unfamiliar, but the message made her heart race.

My dearest daughter,

If you are reading this, then I am no longer alive. I wish I could have watched you grow up.

Never trust anyone who smiles too quickly. The person who destroyed our family is closer to you than you think.

There is a secret hidden beneath the old library. Use the golden key when the time comes.

And remember, you were never born to serve this family.

You were born to rule it.

Your loving father.

Elena read the letter twice.

Then she looked at Richard.

"Who else knows about this letter?"

"No one, Miss Williams."

She held the necklace tightly.

"Take me to the old library."

Richard hesitated.

"Not tonight. It is dangerous."

"Why?"

Before he could answer, a loud crash came from somewhere downstairs.

They both rushed towards the bedroom door.

A servant screamed.

Then another voice shouted:

"Someone has broken into the mansion!"

Richard immediately pulled Elena behind him.

"Stay here!"

But before he could close the door, Elena noticed something on the floor.

A small white envelope.

Her name was written across it.

She picked it up and opened it.

Inside was a single sentence.

"If you want to know who killed your father, ask Adrian Blackwood what happened on the night of December 17."

Elena's hands began trembling.

Because December 17 was the date written on her father's death certificate.

And someone inside the mansion knew more than they were willing to admit.

END OF CHAPTER 2