The temptation of my brother-in-law-Chapter 91 - ninety one

Chapter Ninety-One

Alicia’s POV

I woke up exhausted. The kind of bone-deep tiredness that came from emotional overload rather than physical exertion. Last night had been a nightmare.

And through it all, the nagging question of who had leaked those financial documents.

I dragged myself out of bed and got ready for breakfast. My reflection in the mirror showed dark circles under my eyes. No amount of concealer was going to hide how drained I felt.

I still had to find out who’d sent me those pictures. 𝗳𝐫𝚎𝗲𝚠𝚎𝗯𝕟𝐨𝘃𝚎𝗹.𝗰𝗼𝗺

There was a soft knock on my door, interrupting my thoughts.

"Come in," I called.

Sophie peeked her head in. "You look tired."

"Good morning to you too."

She came fully into the room, closing the door behind her. "Are you okay? Last night was really scary. All those people looking at their phones and whispering."

I sat on the edge of my bed and patted the spot next to me. She came and sat down, looking up at me with worried eyes.

"I’m okay," I lied. "Just tired."

"Malachi said everything would be fine. He got me ice cream and told me not to worry." She fidgeted with her hands. "Is he right? Will everything be fine?"

I wished I had her innocent faith. "I hope so."

"People were saying bad things about Travis. About stealing money." She looked at me seriously. "Did he really steal from his family?"

There was no point in lying to her. She was smart enough to figure it out anyway. "Yes. He did."

"That’s really bad."

"Yes, it is."

"Are you in trouble too? Because you’re married to him?"

The question hit harder than it should have. Out of the mouths of children came the truths adults danced around.

"I don’t know yet," I admitted. "But whatever happens, we’ll figure it out. Together. Like we always do."

Sophie hugged me tight. "I’m glad Malachi is looking out for you. He’s nice. Not like the other people here."

I hugged her back, fighting the emotions threatening to overwhelm me. "Come on. Let’s go get breakfast before we’re late."

We made our way downstairs together. When we reached the dining room, I paused in the doorway.

The room was full. More full than usual for breakfast.

Mario was there, looking pleased about something. Layla sat next to him, her face carefully composed but her eyes red and swollen. Sasha picked at her food, avoiding everyone’s gaze. And Tom Blackwood, Malachi’s father, sat near Pa Wood’s usual spot.

Tom was rarely at the mansion. He spent most of his time in China handling business for Pa Wood. Seeing him here meant something significant was happening.

Sophie squeezed my hand once before letting go and heading to her seat. I followed more slowly, acutely aware of every eye in the room tracking my movement.

I took a seat near the middle of the table. Kept my eyes down. Focused on my plate even though I had no appetite.

Then Malachi walked in.

I felt his presence before I saw him. That magnetic pull he had that I couldn’t seem to resist no matter how hard I tried.

He took the seat directly across from me. I could feel him trying to catch my eye, but I deliberately avoided looking at him.

So I kept my gaze down and pretended he wasn’t affecting me. Pretended my heart wasn’t racing just from his proximity.

Pa Wood entered and the room went silent. He took his seat at the head of the table, his expression grave and tired.

"Good morning," he said. The words felt hollow. "I’m glad everyone could be here. We have much to discuss."

I gripped my coffee cup tighter. Here it comes. Whatever punishment. Whatever consequence.

"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 were shaking. She pressed them flat against the table to hide it.

"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, her voice cracking.

"You were protecting him from consequences. That’s not the same thing." Pa Wood’s tone left no room for argument. "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."

The announcement settled over the table like a weight. I’d known this was coming after last night, but hearing it officially still felt surreal.

Mario looked triumphant. Actually smiling like he’d won something. I had a bad feeling about that expression.

"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."

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

Wait. What?

My head snapped up involuntarily. Malachi? Not Mario?

I looked at Mario and saw his smile disappear. Saw his face flush with barely contained rage.

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

The world tilted. Everything went fuzzy at the edges. I stared at Pa Wood, convinced I’d heard him wrong.

Me? He was giving me a position?

"That’s absurd," Mario said, his voice tight with anger. "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 with an intensity that made even me uncomfortable. "Unless you’d like to volunteer for an audit?"

Mario’s mouth snapped shut.

My mind was reeling. Head of family affairs and social relations. That was Layla’s position. The one she’d used to control social events, manage the family’s public image, handle charitable functions and society connections.

It was power. Real power within the family structure.

And Pa Wood was giving it to me. To someone who’d been here three years. Someone who was still considered an outsider by most of the family.

"As for Alicia," Pa Wood continued, looking directly at me now, "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. Her voice sounded hollow. Defeated. "She doesn’t understand our ways—"

"She understands better than you think. The appointment stands." Pa Wood’s tone ended the discussion. "Any other objections?"

Silence. No one dared speak.

I finally allowed myself to look at Malachi. He was watching me with an expression I couldn’t quite read. Satisfaction, maybe. Or approval. Something that made warmth spread through my chest despite my confusion.

"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."

Tom Blackwood spoke for the first time. His voice was deeper than Malachi’s but with the same underlying steel. "Which is why we’ve arranged a family trip. All of us. Together."

A trip? With this entire dysfunctional family?

"To the woods," Tom continued. "For two weeks. The estate there has been prepared. We leave in three days."

Two weeks. Trapped with all of them. Away from the familiar confines of the mansion.

My stomach dropped. This was the last thing I wanted.

"Everyone will attend," Pa Wood said, his eyes sweeping the table. "No exceptions. We need to show the world that the Blackwood family is strong. United. Unshaken by scandal."

"I have work," Malachi 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."

I wanted to protest. Wanted to say I couldn’t possibly go. That Sophie had school. That I had responsibilities here.

But the look on Pa Wood’s face told me arguing would be pointless. This wasn’t a request. It was an order.

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

Friday. Three days from now. Three days to prepare for two weeks of forced family togetherness.

Breakfast continued but I couldn’t taste anything I put in my mouth. My mind was too busy spinning.

Head of family affairs and social relations. The position gave me authority. Resources. Access to information I’d never had before.

But it also made me a target. Mario had wanted that power for someone in his sphere of influence. Layla had wielded it for years. Now it was mine, and both of them would resent me for it.

I finally allowed myself to look at Malachi again. Really look at him.

He was watching me with that intense gaze of his. And then he did something subtle. Something no one else would have noticed.

He nodded. Just slightly. A gesture of reassurance.

We were in this together. Whatever Pa Wood’s motivations, whatever games were being played, Malachi and I were on the same side.

The realization should have scared me. Should have made me more cautious.

But instead, it made me feel stronger. Like maybe I could handle this new responsibility. This new position.

As long as I wasn’t facing it alone.