It's Getting Personal

LUCIAN'S POV

I sat in my office, my jaw tightening as I scrolled through the news article for the hundredth time. The scandal had spread like wild fire, and I could only manage to control just a small portion of the damage. Gabriel's name had been rolling around in my head like a bad taste I couldn't spit out.

Gabriel had launched a full-scale attack on Elena's company, and I knew why—revenge.

But for what?

"Why is he so determined to destroy me?" I mutter with my jaws clenched.

My phone buzzed. Jason. The private investigator I hired to help me find out the source of Gabriel's grudge.

Jason: "I did some digging like you asked. Gabriel's grudge against you? It's personal.

I leaned back and sighed. "Any hint on what exactly?"

Jason hesitates. "Your mum is somehow involved but not directly with Gabriel. With Edward, Elena's father."

My jaws are clenched, and I can hear my pulse hammering in my chest. "What?"

My grip tightened on the phone. I haven't heard from my mother in 10 years. What did she have to do with Edward Hart, and how is it connected to Gabriel?

I breath in deeply and ask "Any ideas on how Gabriel is connected to this?"

Jason: "That's what I'm trying to figure out. But listen, Gabriel isn't just after Elena and her company—he wants to ruin you."

I exhaled slowly. So this wasn't just about business. It was also about revenge.

I wanted to check up on Elena and find how she was doing in the midst of this crisis.

When I stepped inside, I found her standing by the windows, arms crossed, the expression on her face was unreadable but I could see she was tired. Guilt gnawed on my chest because I hated seeing her this way.

She turned around when she heard me enter.

Her gaze was guarded. "What are you doing here Lucian?"

I studied her. She looked exhausted, but yet her posture was unbreakable.

I admired that about her.

"Elena, I wanted to make sure you were okay, you've been through a lot lately. I just wanted you to know you can actually trust me." I say as the guilt in my chest becomes heavier with every word. "Would she be able to trust me if she finds out I'm a Blackwood…"

She looks at me like, her eyes shining with vulnerability as though she's wondering if she can actually trust me.

Silence stretched between us.

Then Samantha enters, her sharp gaze locking onto me immediately.

"You're still here?" her voice dripping of suspicion.

I chuckled. "I was just leaving."

"Good. I've said it before, I don't trust you." She says.

I turn to Elena, arching a brow. "I'll try my best to make sure everything dies down. But take care of yourself."

As I walked out, my mind was already turning. I needed answers desperately.

My mother was the missing link.

After leaving her office, I retreated to my apartment. The sound of ice clinking against crystal filled the air as I poured myself a drink. The city lights stretched endlessly before me, but my mind wasn't on the skyline—it was on Elena.

She had looked at me with trust today. A trust I didn't deserve.

Jason's message came in as I was about to take a sip.

Jason: Check your email. You're going to want to see this.

I set my glass down and moved to my laptop. A file attachment loaded, revealing a series of old legal documents, business correspondences, and an image of a handwritten letter.

My stomach twisted. The sender? Edward Hart. 

My pulse pounded as I scrolled. The papers detailed an old deal between Hart Enterprises and the Blackwood Corporation—one that went south. Very south.

Then I saw it.

A personal letter. From my mother.

Edward,

I don't know if you'll ever read this, but I had to try. Richard is watching me too closely now. You were right—the project was never safe. I should have never let him pull me into this. I should have left when I had the chance. I wish things were different.

--Love Victoria.

My breath left me in a sharp exhale.

My mother—my mother had known Elena's father.

What the hell had she been involved in?

The implications hit me like a sledgehammer.

My mother had warned Edward about my dad. She wanted to leave—but she couldn't.

My head swarmed with questions only my mum could provide answers to.

My phone buzzed again. Jason.

Jason: Lucian?

Me: Where did you get these?

Jason: From an anonymous source. And Lucian… there's more. I think you should see it in person. I'm coming over.

I downed the rest of my drink. This wasn't just business anymore. It was getting really personal and I hated it.

My thoughts drifted back to Elena. Her guarded expression, the way her defenses had started to lower. She was letting me in.

And the worst part? I wanted her to.

I had spent time perfecting the art of manipulation. Get close. Gain trust. Use it. That was the plan.

I ran my hand through my hair. If she ever found out who I really am…

Jason's knock snapped me back to reality.

I moved swiftly, pulling the door open. Jason stood there, holding a folder. His expression was grim.

"I'm sorry, I couldn't wait till morning," He said, stepping inside. "You need to see this now."

I shut the door and gestured for him to sit down and continue. Jason placed the folder on the table and flipped it open.

It contained another letter.

This time, from Edward to my mother.

Victoria,

I know what Richard is planning. I won't let him take everything from me. But if anything happens to me, make sure my daughter is safe. She's all that matters. And tell her about us, she deserves to know.

With all my love

Edward.

My blood ran cold.

As I stare at the letter from Edward to my mother, my mind drifts to a memory I never gave much thought to before.

It's an old boardroom meeting from a few years back. I remember Gabriel being there, arguing a risky investment I pushed forward. The deal ended up benefiting the Blackwoods, but Gabriel took a major financial hit.

I remember the anger and something also deeper on his face. Later that night on the gala to celebrate the investment, Gabriel approaches me and says "Because you got this one, doesn't mean you're untouchable, you're still less of a Blackwood. You don't belong here and one day I'll make sure you understand what it feels like to lose everything Lucian. Just wait."

I dismissed it as a sore loser's grudge but, suddenly, it clicks. Gabriel doesn't just want to destroy Elena—he wants me to suffer.