It was 3:30 p.m. at the Wells mansion.
Mrs. Wells was directing the maids as they prepared the food and arranged the decorations around the house.
"Make sure everything is perfect," she instructed, glancing around the dining room. "The flowers should go there, and please bring out the good dinnerware."
The maids hurried around, carrying trays of food, arranging flowers, and making last-minute adjustments to the table.
Mrs. Wells glanced at the clock.
Thirty minutes.
The Blackwoods would be there in thirty minutes.
She took a deep breath, trying to calm her nerves.
Behind her, Anthony walked into the room.
"Everything ready?" he asked.
Mrs. Wells turned toward him.
"Almost."
She lowered her voice.
"Anthony, are you sure this is a good idea?"
He looked at her for a moment.
"We don't have much of a choice."
Her expression fell.
Neither of them knew what the Blackwoods were going to ask for.
And that uncertainty frightened her more than the bankruptcy itself.
One of the maids hurried toward Mrs. Wells, slightly out of breath.
"Ma'am, they're here."
"What?" Mrs. Wells exclaimed.
"They're here already?" she asked.
She glanced at the clock.
"It's not four yet. Oh my gosh, just get everything ready. Whatever you can." She instructed.
"Yes, ma'am," the maid replied before hurrying away.
Mrs. Wells quickly made her way to her husband, who was standing at the bar with a glass of whisky in his hand.
"Anthony! Anthony!" she called.
He turned toward her.
"They're here." she said
"What?" he exclaimed, lowering his glass.
"I know, I know. We have to get ready," she said hurriedly.
She turned toward the staircase.
"Iris! Get ready. They're here!"
Mrs. Wells hurried up the stairs, her heels clicking against the marble floor.
"Iris!" she called again.
No answer.
She reached Iris's bedroom door and knocked twice before opening it.
"Iris, the Blackwoods are here."
Iris, who had been sitting in front of her vanity scrolling through her phone, immediately looked up.
"Already?" she said
"Yes. They're downstairs." Mrs Wells answered.
Iris glanced at the clock on her phone.
"But it's not even four."
"I know, sweetheart. Just please hurry."
Mrs. Wells turned to leave, but Iris stopped her.
"Mom?" she called.
Mrs Wells turned around.
"What?" she answered.
Iris hesitated.
"What exactly am I supposed to say to them?"
Her mother stared at her for a moment before forcing a small smile and said,
"Just be yourself, honey."
"That's not very helpful." Iris said.
"I know." Mrs Wells said with a chuckle.
Mrs. Wells gave her one last look before leaving the room.
Iris sighed and stood from her chair.
She walked up to her mirror and stood there, staring at her reflection.
She took a deep breath.
"Okay, it's time." she said.
Iris turned away from the mirror and walked out of her room.
Her heels clicked softly against the marble floor as she made her way down the grand staircase.
As she reached the bottom, she could already hear voices coming from the living room.
She paused for a moment.
The Blackwoods were here.
Iris straightened her dress, took one last breath, and walked into the room.
Iris walked into the living room and immediately noticed the two unfamiliar figures sitting across from her parents.
Mr. Blackwood sat upright on the large cream sofa, one arm resting casually against the armrest. He was a tall, broad-shouldered man in his late fifties, dressed in a perfectly tailored charcoal suit. His dark hair was streaked with silver, and his sharp features gave him a serious, commanding appearance. A silver watch rested against his wrist, and his expression remained calm as his eyes followed Iris across the room.
Beside him sat Mrs. Blackwood.
She was an elegant woman in her early fifties, dressed in a sophisticated black dress with a delicate gold necklace around her neck. Her dark brown hair was styled neatly, framing her composed face. Unlike her husband, she wore a warm smile, but there was something observant about her eyes as if she noticed far more than she said.
Iris slowed as she approached.
Mr. and Mrs. Blackwood turned toward her.
Mrs. Blackwood smiled.
"You must be Iris."
Iris returned the smile politely.
"Yes."
Mr. Blackwood stood and extended his hand.
"Richard Blackwood." he said.
Iris shook his hand.
"Nice to meet you."
"Likewise." Mr Blackwood said
Mrs. Blackwood stood next.
"Eleanor Blackwood."
"It's nice to meet you, Mrs. Blackwood." Iris said
"Please, call me Eleanor."
Iris nodded.
"Eleanor, then."
She glanced toward her parents before taking a seat.
Her eyes briefly moved around the room.
Iris sat down beside her mother, keeping her posture relaxed even though her mind was racing.
Mrs. Wells smiled politely at the Blackwoods.
"I hope the journey here wasn't too tiring."
"Not at all," Eleanor replied. "Your home is beautiful."
"Thank you."
A maid entered the room carrying a tray of drinks.
"Would anyone like something to drink?" Mrs. Wells asked.
Richard shook his head.
"I'm fine, thank you."
Eleanor smiled. "I'll have some tea."
"Of course, ma'am."
Iris watched quietly as the maid poured the tea.
Everything felt strangely formal.
She looked toward her father.
Anthony cleared his throat.
"Well, I suppose we should get straight to the reason we're here."
Richard nodded.
"I agree."
Iris sat a little straighter.
This was it.
Whatever the Blackwoods wanted, she was finally going to find out.
Richard placed his hands together and looked directly at Anthony.
"As you know, your company's situation is serious."
Anthony nodded.
"Yes."
"And we've looked over the numbers."
Iris's fingers tightened slightly around the edge of the sofa.
Richard continued calmly.
"The Blackwood family is prepared to help the Wells family recover."
Iris let out a small breath.
At least that part was clear.
But then Richard paused.
"However…"
Iris looked at him.
"There is something we need from your family in return."
The room fell silent.
Iris glanced at her parents.
Neither of them looked surprised.
Apparently, this was the part they'd been waiting for.
Eleanor placed her teacup down gently.
"We believe it would be best if we explained everything together."
Iris frowned.
"Explained what?" Anthony said.
Richard looked at Iris
For the first time since he had arrived, his expression became completely serious.
"Something concerning our son."
Iris's heart skipped slightly.
"Their son?" She whispered.
She had a feeling she was about to find out exactly what the Blackwoods wanted.
"Damien is expected to take over the Blackwood company eventually." Richard said.
"But there is a condition attached to his inheritance."
Iris frowned.
"What condition?" Mrs Wells asked.
Eleanor exchanged a brief glance with her husband.
"Damien has to be married." she said.
Iris looked between them, still confused.
"And what does that have to do with us?"
The room suddenly became very quiet.
Iris's eyes moved from Richard to Eleanor, then to her parents.
"Why are you all looking at me like that?"
Anthony sighed.
"Iris…" he called.
"No. Tell me."
Richard finally spoke.
"We would like to discuss an arrangement between you and Damien."
Iris froze.
Her heart seemed to stop for a second.
"You mean… marriage?"
No word from her parents.
Richard nodded.
"Yes."
Iris stared at him in disbelief.
Marriage.
They wanted her to marry Damien Blackwood.
A man she had never met.