The temptation of my brother-in-law-Chapter 90 - ninety

Chapter Ninety

Malachi’s POV

I woke up happy. Actually happy. A rare feeling that had nothing to do with business success or revenge plots finally coming together.

Well, maybe a little to do with revenge.

I wanted to see the havoc I’d wrecked. Wanted to watch Travis squirm. Watch Layla try to maintain her dignity. Watch the family react to the scandal that had blown up in spectacular fashion.

The aftermath was always my favorite part. The initial explosion was satisfying, but watching people deal with the consequences? That was art.

I took my time getting ready. Showered. Dressed in one of my better suits. Dark gray. Expensive. The kind of armor you wore when you wanted to look untouchable.

When I went down for breakfast, the dining room was unusually full. And unnaturally quiet.

Everyone was there. Mario sat at one end, looking smug about something. Layla next to him, her face carefully blank but her eyes red from crying. Sasha across from her, picking at her food and avoiding everyone’s gaze. Sophie was there too, eating quietly and looking uncomfortable with the tension.

And my father. Tom Blackwood. Seated near Pa Wood’s usual spot.

I paused in the doorway. My father wasn’t always around the house. He spent most of his time in China, handling Pa Wood’s operations there. The dirty work. The deals that needed to happen far from American scrutiny. The connections with manufacturing and shipping that kept the Blackwood empire running smoothly.

Seeing him here meant something significant was happening. Pa Wood didn’t call him back for minor family drama.

"Malachi," my father said, nodding in acknowledgment. "Good to see you."

"Father." I moved to take a seat. My eyes scanned the table and found Alicia.

She was sitting near the middle, her silver hair pulled back. She looked tired. Worn out from whatever had happened after I’d left with Sophie last night.

I sat down opposite her. Wanted to catch her eye. Wanted to see how she was holding up.

But she was avoiding eye contact. Deliberately. Her focus stayed on her plate, on her coffee, on anything but me.

That was probably smart. With this many people watching. With the scandal still fresh in everyone’s minds.

But I didn’t like it. Didn’t like not being able to read her expression. Didn’t like the distance she was putting between us.

Pa Wood entered the room and everyone went even quieter. He took his seat at the head of the table, his expression grave.

"Good morning," he said. Though there was nothing good about his tone. "I’m glad everyone could be here. We have much to discuss."

Mario leaned back in his chair, that triumphant smile still playing at his lips. He thought he knew what was coming. Thought this was his moment.

"As you all know, last night was a disaster," Pa Wood continued. "Travis’s crimes were exposed publicly. The company’s reputation has been damaged. The board is demanding answers."

Layla’s hands tightened on her napkin. Sasha looked down at her plate.

"I am deeply disappointed in Travis," Pa Wood said. "And in Layla, for enabling his behavior for years. For covering up his mistakes. For allowing this situation to escalate to this point."

"Father, I was only trying to protect my son—" Layla started.

"You were protecting him from consequences. That’s not the same thing." Pa Wood’s voice was final. "As a result, both of your positions in the family business have been stripped. Layla, you no longer have any authority in company matters. Travis will be dealt with separately once the legal implications are clear."

Mario’s smile widened. Here it comes, his expression said. Here’s where I get everything.

"The positions left vacant by Travis and Layla need to be filled," Pa Wood continued. "We need capable leadership. People who understand responsibility and can be trusted."

I watched Mario sit up straighter. Watched him prepare to accept what he thought was his due. 𝓯𝙧𝙚𝒆𝙬𝙚𝒃𝙣𝙤𝒗𝓮𝓵.𝙘𝙤𝙢

"Therefore, I’m appointing Malachi as interim COO."

The announcement hit like a bomb. Mario’s smile disappeared. His face went red.

"And Alicia will take over Layla’s position as head of family affairs and social relations."

Now Alicia’s head snapped up. She looked at Pa Wood with shock. Clear, undeniable shock.

I felt satisfaction curl through me. Pa Wood was giving us power. Putting us in positions where we could actually make changes. Where we could protect what needed protecting and destroy what needed destroying.

"That’s absurd," Mario said, his voice tight. "Malachi has only been back for a few months. He doesn’t have the experience—"

"He has more than enough experience. And unlike some members of this family, he can be trusted not to steal from us." Pa Wood’s eyes locked on Mario. "Unless you’d like to volunteer for an audit?"

Mario’s mouth snapped shut. Whatever he’d been planning to say died on his lips.

"As for Alicia," Pa Wood continued, "she’s proven herself capable of handling difficult situations with grace. She’ll represent the family well."

"She’s only been in the family three years," Layla protested weakly. "She doesn’t understand our ways—"

"She understands better than you think. The appointment stands." Pa Wood looked around the table. "Any other objections?"

Silence. No one dared speak now.

I glanced at Alicia. She was still processing, her hands gripping her coffee cup like it was the only solid thing in a shifting world.

"There’s one more thing," Pa Wood said. "This family needs to present a united front. The scandal has made us look weak. Divided. That ends now."

My father spoke up for the first time. "Which is why we’ve arranged a family trip. All of us. Together."

I frowned. "A trip?"

"For two weeks. The estate there has been prepared." My father’s tone left no room for argument. "We leave in three days. Everyone will attend. No exceptions."

"I have work," I said.

"The work can wait. Or you can handle it remotely." Pa Wood’s expression was firm. "This trip is not optional. It’s necessary. We need to show the world that the Blackwood family is strong. United. Unshaken by scandal."

Two weeks. Trapped with this entire dysfunctional family. In close quarters. With nowhere to escape.

But also two weeks with Alicia. Away from the mansion. Away from the usual constraints and watchful eyes of Silver Lake City.

The idea had possibilities.

"Fine," I said. "I’ll go."

"Everyone will go," Pa Wood repeated, looking at each person in turn. "Layla. Mario. Isabella. Sasha. Travis. Sophie. Tom. Alicia. Malachi. We present ourselves as a family. We show the world we’re unbreakable."

Even if we were all breaking each other behind closed doors.

"Pack accordingly," my father said. "We leave at dawn on Friday."

Breakfast continued in awkward silence after that. People ate without really tasting their food. The weight of forced family bonding hanging over everyone like a storm cloud.

I finally caught Alicia’s eye across the table. She looked overwhelmed. Uncertain. Like she’d just been thrown into deep water without knowing how to swim.

I wanted to tell her it would be okay. That I’d protect her during this trip. That having positions of power in the family was good for us.

But I couldn’t say any of that here. Not with everyone watching.

So I just held her gaze. Let her see the certainty in my eyes. The promise that I was with her, no matter what.

She looked away first. But I’d seen the small nod. The acceptance.

She understood. We were in this together now. Officially. With titles and authority to back it up.

Pa Wood had just given us exactly what we needed to destroy our enemies from within.

He probably didn’t realize it. Probably thought he was maintaining family stability.

But he’d just handed me the keys to the kingdom.

And I was going to use them to burn it all down.

Starting with Mario. That triumphant smile he’d worn at the beginning of breakfast? I was going to wipe it off his face permanently.

Then Travis. Then anyone else who stood in the way of what I wanted.

What I wanted was sitting across from me. Looking uncertain and beautiful and mine.

And now I had the power to protect her properly. To give her the position she deserved. To make sure no one could touch her without going through me first.

Two weeks in the estate with the entire family would be torture.

But it would also be opportunity.

And I never wasted an opportunity.

I smiled to myself and took another sip of coffee. Let the games continue.

This was just getting interesting.