Chapter 1 – The Price of Pride
Chapter 1 – The Price of Pride
Silence swallowed the terrace.
The laughter disappeared.
Vanessa stared at the sleek black helicopter resting on the private landing pad. Across its polished body gleamed two silver words:
BLACKWOOD GLOBAL.
Her heartbeat stumbled.
"No..."
The pilot walked directly past the stunned guests and stopped in front of Adrian.
"Mr. Blackwood, we're running behind schedule. The board members have already arrived in Singapore."
Adrian gave a slight nod.
"I'll be there shortly."
The pilot stepped back without another word.
No one questioned him.
No one laughed anymore.
Vanessa slowly looked around the terrace. Every face had changed. The same people who had smiled at her moments ago now stared at Adrian with disbelief.
Her father turned pale.
"You're... Adrian Blackwood?"
Adrian answered calmly.
"Yes."
The older man's knees nearly gave way.
For six months, his company had fought desperately to secure one meeting with Blackwood Global. Every request had been rejected.
Yet the man they had begged to meet had been standing in front of them all evening.
Offering his heart instead of a business contract.
Vanessa's hand trembled.
"I... I didn't know."
Adrian looked at her with quiet eyes.
"I know."
"You could have told me."
"I wanted someone to love Adrian."
He paused.
"Not the Blackwood name."
No anger.
No accusation.
Only disappointment.
That hurt more than any insult.
Vanessa reached toward him.
"I'm sorry."
He stepped back.
"You're sorry because you discovered who I am."
His words landed harder than the slap she had given him.
"I wish you had been sorry before."
Without another glance, Adrian walked toward the helicopter.
The rotors began spinning.
Vanessa stood frozen as the aircraft lifted into the night sky.
May you like
She realized she hadn't lost a billionaire.
She had lost the only man who had ever loved her without expecting anything in return.
