The temptation of my brother-in-law-Chapter 122 - One Hundred and Twenty Two

Chapter One Hundred and Twenty Two

Malachi’s POV

I pulled up to Sophie’s school at exactly three thirty.

She came out with her backpack slung over one shoulder. Head down. Walking slower than usual.

Something was wrong.

She got in the car. Didn’t look at me. Just stared out the window.

"How was school?" I asked.

"Fine."

That single word told me everything. It wasn’t fine.

"Want to talk about it?"

"Not really."

I drove in silence for a minute. Then said, "Ice cream?"

She glanced at me. "It’s Tuesday."

"So?"

"You never get ice cream on Tuesdays."

"There’s a first time for everything."

A small smile. "Okay."

I drove to her favorite place. A small shop that made everything fresh. We went inside. She ordered chocolate chip cookie dough. I got black coffee.

We sat at a corner booth. She picked at her ice cream. Not eating. Just moving it around with her spoon.

"What happened?" I asked.

"Nothing."

"Sophie."

She sighed. "Some girls at school. They were talking about Alicia . About how she only married Travis for money. How our whole family is just about power and control."

Anger flared in my chest. "Who said that?"

"It doesn’t matter."

"It does to me."

"Malachi. It’s fine. I’m used to it."

"You shouldn’t have to be used to it. You’re seventeen. You should be worried about homework and friends. Not defending our family."

"I know. But that’s not how it works. Being a Blackwood means dealing with this stuff."

She was right. But I hated it. Hated that she had to grow up so fast. Had to deal with the ugly side of our name.

"Want me to talk to the principal?" I offered.

"No. That’ll just make it worse. Besides, I can handle it."

"I know you can. But you shouldn’t have to."

She finally took a bite of ice cream. "Can I ask you something?"

"Sure."

"Do you think Alicia and Travis love each other?"

The question caught me off guard. "Why are you asking?"

"Because they seem miserable. Both of them. And I don’t understand why they stay together if they’re so unhappy."

I didn’t have a good answer. Because she was right. Tom and Layla were miserable. Always had been as far as I could remember.

"Sometimes people stay together for complicated reasons," I said.

"That’s a non-answer."

"It’s the best I’ve got."

She went back to her ice cream. I watched her. Tried to figure out how to make this better.

"You know what?" I said. "Let’s get you something. Something that’ll cheer you up."

"Like what?"

"Whatever you want. New phone? Clothes? That guitar you’ve been eyeing?"

Her eyes lit up. "Really?"

"Really."

"The guitar?"

"If that’s what you want."

She grinned. Actually grinned. "Can we go now?"

"Finish your ice cream first."

We spent the next hour at the music store. She tried out different guitars. Settled on a beautiful acoustic with mother of pearl inlays. Expensive. But worth it to see her smile.

We loaded it into the car. Drove home. She was in better spirits now. Talking about learning new songs. About maybe starting a band with her friends.

I was glad. Glad I could fix this for her. Even if I couldn’t fix everything else.

We got back to the mansion just before dinner. Sophie ran upstairs with her guitar. I headed to my office to catch up on emails.

That’s when one of Pa Wood’s assistants found me.

"Mr. Blackwood wants to see you. Immediately."

I followed him to Pa Wood’s study. The old man was sitting behind his desk. Expression grim.

"Sit," he said.

I sat. "What happened?"

"One of our branches was attacked. The construction site in the eastern district."

My blood ran cold. "Attacked? By who?"

"We don’t know yet. But three engineers were killed. Made to look like a work malfunction. Equipment failure."

"But it wasn’t."

"No. It wasn’t."

I leaned forward. "Do we have any leads?"

"Not yet. But there’s another problem. The son of one of the engineers. He’s protesting. Threatening to go to the media. Saying we’re responsible for his father’s death."

"Is he right?"

Pa Wood’s eyes hardened. "Our equipment is maintained to the highest standards. If there was a malfunction, it was deliberate. Sabotage."

"Who would sabotage us?"

"Plenty of people. We have enemies, Malachi. People who’d love to see us fall."

I thought about it. About who had the resources. The motivation. The access.

"What do you want me to do?" I asked.

"Handle it. Quietly. Make sure this doesn’t blow up in the media. And deal with the son."

I nodded. Then asked the question that had been nagging at me. "Did Emily have any family members? Anyone who might hold a grudge?"

Pa Wood’s expression shifted. Just slightly. But I saw it. "Why are you asking about Emily?"

"Just curious. Her father was your friend. I’m wondering if there’s a connection."

"Emily’s father died years ago. On his way to a business meeting. Tragic accident. I adopted her because there was no one else."

"But did she have other family? Cousins? Distant relatives?"

"I don’t know. And I don’t see how that’s relevant."

He was avoiding the topic. Clearly didn’t want to talk about Emily.

"I’m just covering all angles," I said.

"Well, cover this angle. Three dead engineers. A son threatening to ruin us. Handle it."

"I will."

I left his office. Pulled out my phone. Called Maurice. My right hand man. The one who handled the things I couldn’t be seen handling.

"Boss," he answered.

"I need information. There’s a son of one of our dead engineers. He’s causing problems. Get me everything on him."

"Give me an hour."

"Make it thirty minutes."

I hung up. Went to my office. Started making calls. Damage control. Making sure our lawyers were prepared. Making sure our story was airtight.

Maurice called back in exactly thirty minutes.

"Got it. Name’s David Chen. Twenty-four. Dropped out of school at sixteen. No job. Sinking in debt. Gambling problem. He owes money to some dangerous people."

"Perfect. So he’s desperate."

"Very. He’s probably hoping we’ll pay him to go away."

"We will. But on our terms. Set up a meeting. I’ll handle him personally."

"You sure? I can deal with this."

"No. I want to look him in the eye. Make sure he understands what happens if he crosses us."

"Understood. Anything else?"

"Yes. All the families of the dead engineers. I want them compensated. Generously. Full benefits. College funds for any kids. Whatever they need."

"That’s going to cost."

"I don’t care. Those men died on our site. We take care of their families."

"Got it. I’ll set it up."

"And Maurice? Get Cecilia a lawyer. A good one. Not the family lawyer. Someone independent. Someone who only answers to her."

"For the inheritance case?"

"Yes. Make sure they’re the best. Money is no object."

"I’ll have options for her by tomorrow."

"Good."

I hung up. Leaned back in my chair. Stared at the ceiling.

Three dead engineers. Sabotage. A desperate son. And somewhere in all of this, a connection I couldn’t quite see.

Emily’s name kept coming up in my mind. The way Pa Wood had avoided talking about her family. The flowers at her grave. The expensive scarf Ross had found.

Someone was still connected to Emily. Someone who remembered her. Someone who might have a reason to hurt us.

I needed to find out who. Before things got worse.

My phone buzzed. Text from Alicia.

Are you coming to dinner?

I stared at the message. Wanted to say yes. Wanted to see her. Be near her. 𝘧𝓇ℯℯ𝑤ℯ𝘣𝓃ℴ𝓋𝑒𝑙.𝑐𝘰𝑚

But I had work to do. Problems to solve. A family to protect.

I typed back.

Not tonight. Work emergency.

Her response came quickly.

Okay. Be safe.

Two words. But they made something in my chest tighten.

She cared. Even if she couldn’t say it. Even if we had to pretend.

She cared.

And that made everything else worth it.