In the living room, Mrs. Sterling sat across from Mrs. Blackwood, their voices low but filled with barely contained excitement.
Kaia had just woken up, still jet-lagged from arriving in the middle of the night from Paris.
As she walked down the stairs, her steps slow and unhurried, she froze slightly.
Mrs. Blackwood.
Surprised—but composed as always—Kaia straightened and greeted politely,
"Good morning, Aunt Grace… Mom."
Grace Berch immediately stood up, eyes lighting up as she clasped her hands together.
"Oh, look at my daughter-in-law—so cute!"
Kaia: "…"
She shot her mother a look.
Then, with a graceful smile, she said
"Aunt Grace, don't make fun of me."
Cynthia quickly intervened, her tone smooth but just a little too quick,
"You just woke up. Go eat first, then see your father in the study. He has something to tell you."
Kaia's eyes narrowed slightly.
Suspicious.
"I'll talk to Dad first," she said calmly. "I don't have much appetite right now."
She gave Grace a polite nod before turning and walking toward the study.
After she left ,Cynthia turned sharply to Grace.
"She still doesn't know—and you almost exposed everything."
Grace waved her off, completely unapologetic.
"Can you blame me? I haven't seen her in years. And honestly, the photos don't do her justice at all."
She paused, then smirked slightly.
"It's a good thing I secured her early. Otherwise, my blockhead son wouldn't stand a chance."
Cynthia laughed softly, shaking her head.
"You're praising her too much. You have no idea how much of a headache that girl is."
Then she added with a proud smile,
"At least your son is quiet… and handsome."
Grace leaned forward, eyes sparkling.
"I can already picture our grandchildren."
Cynthia chuckled.
"Same here. They'll be adorable."
...
At the study.
Kaia knocked once before entering.
Her father sat behind his desk, reading
documents.
He didn't look up.
Not even when she sat down.
Silence filled the room.
Only after a moment did he lift his gaze.
His voice was calm. Businesslike.
"As you know, years ago your grandfather and Chairman Blackwood shared a deep friendship."
Kaia said nothing.
Her fingers tapped lightly against the desk.
"They intended to become in-laws," he continued. "However, both families had sons—no daughters."
A pause.
"So, they drafted an agreement."
Kaia's tapping slowed.
"The first granddaughter born into either family would marry into the other."
Silence.
Kaia's expression didn't change.
But her fingers stopped completely.
"You are my only daughter," he said. "From the day you were born, the contract was activated."
Kaia leaned back slightly.
Still calm.
Still quiet.
Then—
"When?" she asked.
Her father didn't hesitate.
"On your twenty-second birthday," he said.
"You will be officially married."
" ...Does he know?"