Chapter three: Blackwood Empire

Anna pov

The Blackwood Empire tower stabbed the sky like a knife. I stood at the bottom, heart pounding, my cheap blouse already sticking to my back from the morning heat. Carlton’s text still burned in my pocket. “You would be offered a job.”Help. From a man like him? I had no choice. Mom’s surgery clock was ticking.

I pushed through the spinning doors. The lobby screamed money, marble floors, tall ceilings, people in expensive suits moving like they owned time itself. A receptionist looked up, perfect smile in place.

“Can I help you?”

“Yes, my name is Anna Vale. I’m here to see the person in charge.”

She checked her screen, eyebrows lifting a fraction. “Mr. Blackwood is expecting you. Go up to the Fiftieth floor. Mr Davis will meet you.”

The elevator ride felt endless. My hands shook as I smoothed my skirt. Three thousand dollars. I need this money for mom. I repeated it like a prayer. Just a job. Something. Anything.

The doors opened. A man in a crisp suit waited. tall, with a tablet in hand.

“You must be Miss Vale. I’m Davis Brown, Mr. Blackwood’s assistant. This way please.”

He led me down a hall that felt more like a museum than an office. We stopped at double doors. Davis knocked once and stepped aside.

“Sir, Miss Anna Vale is here.”

I walked in. Mr Blackwood sat behind a massive desk, dark suit perfect, face like stone. Different from the man I saw yesterday. No soft words or curious eyes. Just a soulless gaze.

“Sit,” he said, voice flat.

I dropped into the leather chair. “You said you could help. I’m not here for charity. I need a job. Anything. Cleaning, filing,whatever pays enough for my mom’s surgery.”

He leaned back, eyes locking on mine. Those deep brown eyes looked almost black now. “I know your situation, Anna. You need Two hundred and eighty thousand for Helene’s procedure. You have just Three thousand in your account. Two dead-end jobs. A John Smith as your only close friend.”

My stomach dropped. “You checked on me?”

“Thoroughly.” He stood and walked around the desk, stopping close enough that I smelled his cologne. “Jobs here start low. You’d need years to earn what your mother needs.”

I lifted my chin. “Then why text me? Wasting my time?”

His lips twitched,just barely. “I don’t waste time. I solve problems. You need money fast. I need a wife.”

The word hit like a slap. “A wife?”

“I propose a marriage contract. One year minimum. Full coverage of your mother’s surgery and all treatment. In return, you play the role. Public appearances. And you live in my mansion.”

I laughed once, thinking must be a prank. “You’re crazy. We bumped into each other once and now you need a wife. I don’t even know you.”

“You know enough.” He tapped his tablet and slid it across the desk. “Read it. Standard terms. Asset protection. Medical fee starts today if you sign.”

I picked it up. The words blurred at first. Marriage of convenience. Anna Vale agrees to… Blackwood covers all costs for Helene Vale’s care… compensation of five hundred thousand upon completion…

My hands trembled. “This is insane. People don’t just marry strangers for money.”

“People do when they have no options.” His voice stayed cool. “Your mother has weeks, Anna. Dr. James confirmed it. Sign, and she gets the best care starting tonight. Refuse, and you walk out with nothing but my offer to forget this meeting.”

I set the tablet down hard. “Why me? You could buy any woman in this city.”

He stepped closer. Heat rolled off him. “I don’t have to explain my reasons. You need the money. I need your performance. I need that. And you need this.”

I stood up fast, chair scraping. “I need to think. I can’t sign a contract blindly, I’m not stupid.”

“Then take ten minutes.” He nodded toward a side door. “Private lounge is over there. Davis will bring coffee. But Anna, the offer closes when I leave for my next meeting.”

I followed Davis to the lounge. My phone shook as I searched Carlton Blackwood. Headlines flooded in. Ruthless businessman. Crushes rivals. Blackwood Empire buys companies and guts them. Lawsuits settled fast. Women in and out of his life like shadows. A cold successful ceo who never loses.

One article even went as far as calling him a shark in a suit. Another said crossing him ends careers. My throat tightened. Mom’s words at attempt to ease my worries echoed in my mind. We always figure it out. But I knew this we hadn’t. Not this time.

Davis knock brought me out of my thoughts, he entered with a cup of coffee. “Miss, Mr. Blackwood is ready when you are.”

I nodded and walked back into the wide office, Carlton stood by the window, arms crossed, looking every inch the billionaire who owned the world.

“Well?” he asked with a knowing look.

I swallowed hard. “Your reputation is terrifying Mr Carlton, Ruthless. People say you destroy anyone in your way.”

“True.” No apology. “But I keep my word. So to avoid wasting time that I don't have. Sign, and your mother lives. Break it, and the consequences are worse than you imagine. Simple.”

I stared at the tablet again. Mom in that hospital bed. Her weak laughter yesterday. Tears stung my eyes but I blinked them back.

“Full surgery coverage?” I asked.

“Wire transfer the second you sign. Dr. James gets the green light within the hour.”

My voice came out small but steady. “I want it in writing. Right here. Add that clause.” “Oh and we sleep in separate room.”

He gaze met mine and I could have sworn, I saw a spark of dissatisfaction at my last clause but it vanished as soon as it appeared. He took the tablet, typed lazily, and handed it back. “Done. Read it.”

I read every line this time. I could feel the coldness of the contract from the screen.No romance. Just a deal. My hand hovered over the screen. The Sign here glaring at me.

“I have no choice,” I whispered.

“You always have a choice,” Carlton said. “This one saves her.”

I pressed my finger to the line. Digital signature locked in. Done.

Carlton’s eyes flicked with something,satisfaction, and maybe something else. “Good. Davis will handle the medical call now. Go home, prepare your things. My driver will pick you up in two weeks , Welcome to the Blackwood world, Anna.”

I stood there, legs shaky. “This is just paper. Don’t expect me to like you.”

A slow smile crossed his face for the first time. Dangerous. “We’ll see about that. One year, wife. Starting now.”

My phone rang almost immediately, Dr. James.

“Anna? The hospital just received full funding. We’re prepping your mother for her first surgery tonight. How—”

I hung up and looked at Carlton. He watched me like a predator who’d just closed the trap.

“What now?” I demanded.

He stepped close, voice low. “Now you learn what being my wife means. Go home. Say your goodbyes. The car comes anytime soon.”

I turned to leave, pulse racing. His voice stopped me at the door.

“And Anna? That spark you showed yesterday? Keep it. I like challenges in my bed.”

Heat rushed through me.anger, fear, something hotter I didn’t want to name. I slammed the door behind me and rushed to the elevator.

Mom would live. But at what cost? Carlton Blackwood owned me now, and the look in his eyes said he planned to collect every single part.

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