Chapter 53
Damien stared at the door long after Vivi left, her words echoing in his mind. The stack of reports on his desk blurred as he recalled Ava's convenient appearances at meetings, her probing questions about company finances.
He ran a hand through his hair. "Damn it, Vivi."
The leather chair creaked as he leaned back. What did she know about Ava anyway? They'd barely interacted. This was probably just jealousy talking - had to be. Vivi had made her choice clear, picking family duty over whatever sparked between them.
His jaw clenched. Who was she to question his judgment now? Ava had been nothing but supportive through the scandal, unlike Vivi who kept pushing him away. Sure, maybe Ava's interest in the company seemed eager, but she worked in finance - of course she'd be curious about Blackwood's operations.
"She's trying to get in my head," he muttered. "Classic Vivi move."
Damien grabbed his phone, pulling up his messages with Ava. Their plans for dinner tonight would go ahead as scheduled. He wasn't about to let Vivi's paranoid theories ruin something good.
Still, a nagging voice in the back of his mind wondered - what if Vivi was right? What if he was being blind?
"No." He shook his head firmly. "I'm done letting her affect my decisions."
He turned back to his work, pushing thoughts of Vivi aside. Whatever game she was playing, he wouldn't be a part of it. Ava was real, present, uncomplicated. That's what he needed right now.
Vivi paced in her bedroom, her heels clicking against the hardwood floor. The mansion felt suffocating, knowing Ava was somewhere in the building, probably with Damien. She paused at the window, watching the manicured gardens below.
Something about Ava set off alarm bells. The way she appeared right when the scandal hit. How she always managed to be around during crucial business discussions. Those probing questions about company finances that Caroline had mentioned.
"This isn't jealousy," Vivi muttered to herself, pressing her forehead against the cool glass. She'd seen enough social climbers in her circles to recognize the signs. The calculated smiles, the strategic positioning, the careful gathering of information.
But Damien was too caught up in Ava's seduction to see it. And why wouldn't he be? Vivi had pushed him away, chosen family duty over their connection. She'd given Ava the perfect opening.
Her fingers traced patterns on the window pane. The timing was too convenient. The scandal breaks out, threatening the Blackwood empire, and suddenly this finance expert appears, showing intense interest in both Damien and the company's inner workings?
Vivi's stomach churned. If she was right about Ava, Damien could be walking into a trap. But if she was wrong, she'd look like a jealous, bitter woman trying to sabotage his happiness.
She turned from the window, her reflection showing the worry lines creasing her forehead. The smart move would be to stay quiet, focus on her role as Mrs. Blackwood, let Damien make his own mistakes. But if Ava truly meant harm...
"I can't just stand by," she whispered. "Not when the whole family could be at risk."
Vivi decided to dig deeper into her suspicions. She pulled out her phone and messaged Sophia, who had proven to be an invaluable ally during the scandal.
"Need your help with something discreet. Can you run a background check on Ava?"
Her phone buzzed moments later. "Already on it. Something felt off about her story."
Vivi smiled. Of course Sophia would be ahead of the game. She'd been instrumental in clearing the family name - her instincts were sharp.
A knock at her door made her jump. Damien stood in the doorway, his expression unreadable.
"We need to talk about the upcoming board meeting," he said, all business. The wall between them was palpable.
"Of course." Vivi straightened her shoulders, falling into her role as Mrs. Blackwood. "I heard there are some major investment decisions on the table."
"Yes. Ava's been helping me prepare a proposal."
The mention of Ava's name made Vivi's skin crawl, but she kept her face neutral. "What kind of proposal?"
"A restructuring of some of our major holdings. She has some interesting ideas about asset allocation."
Warning bells rang louder in Vivi's head. Asset restructuring could make funds easier to siphon off if done strategically. But she couldn't voice her concerns without proof.
"I see," she said carefully. "Will you be presenting this to Reginald first?"
"Actually, Ava suggested we bring it straight to the board. More efficient that way."
Vivi's phone buzzed again - another message from Sophia. She resisted the urge to check it immediately.
"Just be careful," she found herself saying. "Major changes should probably have your father's input."
Damien's jaw tightened. "I know what I'm doing. I don't need advice from my stepmother."
The words stung, but Vivi held her ground. Too much was at stake to let personal feelings interfere.
Sophia knocked on Vivi's door after Damien left, her tablet in hand. Her dark hair was pulled back in a messy bun, and concern etched her features.
"You need to see this," she said, closing the door behind her.
Vivi moved over on the bed to make room. The screen showed several news articles and financial records.
"Ava Parker. Daughter of James Parker - who went bankrupt after a series of failed business ventures." Sophia scrolled through the documents. "She's been involved in three different companies that mysteriously lost millions in investments before folding."
"That can't be a coincidence," Vivi said, scanning the dates.
"There's more. She dated the CEO of each company right before things went south." Sophia pulled up social media photos showing Ava with different men at galas and events. "Once the money disappeared, so did she."
Vivi's stomach churned. "And now she's got her hooks in Damien."
"And access to Blackwood Holdings through him." Sophia set the tablet down. "The restructuring proposal she's helping with? Perfect cover for moving assets around."
"We have to tell Damien."
"He won't believe it coming from you." Sophia squeezed Vivi's hand. "He's too caught up in proving he's moved on. Let me handle the initial conversation - I'm his sister, he might actually listen."
Vivi nodded, grateful once again for Sophia's level head and strategic mind. "Just be careful. If Ava realizes we're onto her..."
"Don't worry." Sophia's eyes gleamed with determination. "I learned from the best how to play the long game. We'll protect this family - all of us."