Chapter 2 - The Blackwood Estate
The Blackwood estate sat on a private stretch of coastline north of Seattle, hidden behind towering cedar trees and iron gates that looked less like decoration and more like a warning.
Maya stared through the window.
She had expected luxury.
She had not expected silence.
The property was enormous.
Stone walls.
Glass towers.
A private lake.
Security cameras disguised as garden lights.
Men in dark suits standing beneath umbrellas.
Everything about the place suggested that money lived there, but peace did not.
Adrien sat across from her in the back of the Rolls-Royce.
For twenty minutes, neither spoke.
Finally Maya broke the silence.
“Where is Lily?”
“Sleeping.”
“Is she going to recover?”
“The doctors are hopeful.”
Maya relaxed slightly.
Adrien noticed.
“You care about her.”
“She was dying.”
“And you didn't know her.”
“You keep saying that as though kindness requires a relationship.”
He looked at her.
“You're different.”
“I don't know if that's a compliment.”
“It wasn't meant to be.”
The car stopped.
The gates opened.
As Maya stepped outside, a woman in an elegant cream coat walked toward them.
She was beautiful.
Perfectly groomed.
Perfectly composed.
She looked at Maya.
Then at Adrien.
Then back at Maya.
“Who is she?”
“Her name is Maya Sterling.”
“I know her name.”
Adrien's eyes narrowed.
“Then you know enough.”
The woman smiled.
Maya recognized her from photographs.
Vivian Blackwood.
Adrien's aunt.
The woman who had managed several Blackwood businesses for more than a decade.
And, according to every article Maya had ever read, one of the few people Adrien trusted.
Vivian extended her hand.
“I hope you'll forgive my curiosity.”
Maya shook it.
Her smile felt cold.
“Of course.”
Vivian's fingers tightened slightly.
“Lily owes you her life.”
“She doesn't owe me anything.”
Vivian's eyes flickered.
Adrien noticed.
“Where is the doctor?”
“In the west wing.”
He walked away.
Maya followed.
Vivian remained behind.
Her smile disappeared.
A younger man approached her.
“What did you think?”
Vivian watched Adrien lead Maya inside.
“The girl is a problem.”
“Because she saved Lily?”
“No.”
Vivian's voice dropped.
“Because Adrien brought her here.”
Inside the mansion, Maya saw Lily through a glass doorway.
Pale.
Sleeping.
Machines surrounding her.
Maya placed one hand against the glass.
Adrien stood beside her.
“She asked about you.”
“What did she say?”
“She said the girl who saved her had sad eyes.”
Maya smiled faintly.
“She doesn't know me.”
“She wants to.”
Maya looked at him.
“You are frightening.”
“I know.”
“But you haven't hurt me.”
“I haven't.”
“Why?”
Adrien was quiet.
“Because you did something most people wouldn't.”
“What?”
“You chose someone else.”
He glanced toward Lily.
“And that choice cost you your future.”
Maya looked down.
“My future was gone the moment I missed the exam.”
“No.”
Adrien reached into his coat.
He handed her a folder.
Maya opened it.
Inside was a contract.
A tuition payment.
A housing offer.
A guaranteed position at one of Blackwood Holdings' legal offices.
She stared.
“I can't accept this.”
“You haven't heard the terms.”
“I don't need to.”
“You're being evicted.”
Maya looked up.
“How do you know?”
“I had someone check.”
Her eyes hardened.
“That sounds like stalking.”
“It sounds like preparation.”
“I don't want your money.”
“You don't need to.”
He turned another page.
“The Blackwood Foundation will cover your living expenses for one year.”
Maya said nothing.
“You will retake the exam.”
She looked at him.
“And what do you want?”
“Your help.”
“With what?”
“Finding who poisoned Lily.”
Maya laughed once.
It wasn't funny.
“I'm a law student, not a detective.”
“You understand evidence.”
“I understand law.”
“That is why I need you.”
Maya stared at the folder.
“What happens if I say no?”
Adrien's expression did not change.
“You walk out that door.”
She looked toward the entrance.
Then at Lily.
Then at the contract.
“What aren't you telling me?”
Adrien's eyes sharpened.
“Several things.”
“At least you're honest.”
“I don't lie to people I respect.”
Maya closed the folder.
“I need time.”
“You have until tonight.”
“Why?”
“Because someone inside this house wants Lily dead.”
He leaned slightly closer.
“And if we wait too long, they may try again.”
That evening, Maya met Lily.
Lily was awake.
She looked fragile, but her smile was warm.
“You're real.”
Maya laughed.
“I think so.”
“You're the girl from the alley.”
“You scared ten years off my life.”
Lily smiled.
“You saved it.”
She reached for Maya's hand.
“Thank you.”
Maya squeezed it.
Lily looked toward the door.
“Did my brother threaten you?”
“No.”
“That's shocking.”
Maya smiled.
“Why?”
“Because he threatens everyone.”
Adrien appeared in the doorway.
Lily grinned.
“See?”
Adrien gave her a look.
“Rest.”
Lily ignored him.
“Ask him what happened to his temper.”
“My temper is fine.”
“You haven't smiled in six years.”
“I'm smiling now.”
Lily stared.
“You're not.”
Maya laughed.
Adrien looked at her.
And for one brief moment, his expression softened.
Then the monitor beside Lily suddenly began screaming.
Her heart rate spiked.
Maya jumped back.
Nurses rushed into the room.
Adrien's face turned cold.
“What happened?”
The doctor checked the monitor.
“She shouldn't be crashing again.”
Lily convulsed.
Maya noticed something.
The IV bag.
A tiny puncture at the base.
She pointed.
“That wasn't there before.”
Everyone froze.
The doctor examined it.
His expression changed.
“This line has been contaminated.”
Adrien looked at the security chief.
“Seal the house.”
Every door locked.
Every employee was trapped inside.
Maya looked around.
Vivian stood near the doorway.
Calm.
Too calm.
And when their eyes met, Vivian smiled.
That was the moment Maya understood.
May you like
The enemy wasn't outside.
It was already in the house.
