Blake sat in his office, going through reports submitted by different departnts.
To the world, the Astortia family ran a company dealing in steel and iron, manufacturing and supply.
While it wasn’t counted among the top giants, its turnover exceeded three billion Lumir. Blake was the majority shareholder and the current head.
It was now common knowledge that Blake would inherit the Astortia throne. Yet his focus and concern did not lie with the company.
It was the Ten Petal Clans that weighed on his mind.
As one of the leading clans, the Astortias were expected to fulfill various duties throughout the year. Their past actions had already stained their na, and now, with a lack of manpower, maintaining their position among the Petals was becoming increasingly difficult.
Blake was not soone who relied on connections. But considering how far things had fallen, it seed he would have to go against his own principles.
KNOCK
There was a knock on the door, and almost instantly, it was pushed open by the person on the other side.
"What are you doing here?" Blake asked with his brow frowned as he saw the familiar woman stepping inside.
Her eyes were red, dark circles beneath them revealing how little she had been sleeping.
Corella silently closed the door and stepped closer before speaking. "I’ve been holding it in for far too long... but it’s becoming unbearable."
Blake could tell this wasn’t her usual behavior. Sothing had shaken her deeply.
He gestured for her to sit and poured her a glass of water.
Corella thanked him and took it, but instead of drinking, she let it rest in her lap, her gaze unfocused.
Blake finally asked, "What happened? We t just yesterday, and you seed fine..." Or had she?
He rembered how she had kept glancing at him, but that was normal for Corella. He hadn’t thought much of it at the ti. Now, though, he felt he should have paid closer attention to what she was going through.
Corella leaned back in her seat and spoke at last. "After you hear this... it might create friction between you and your parents."
Blake frowned at her words, but he didn’t want her to hesitate any further. "I already tolerate a lot when it cos to them, so don’t worry. Just tell ."
Corella finally t his gaze. "Can you use your skill on ? So you can be sure I’m telling the truth."
Blake sighed. "I don’t have any friends, Corella. Except you. Do you know why?" He looked straight into her eyes before adding, "Because I trust you. So go ahead."
Her heart fluttered, her shoulders easing slightly. But instead of lingering on that brief warmth, she forced herself to focus.
"It’s been about a week. Two days after your accident, your parents ca to my house... with their lawyers."
Blake’s frown deepened. He had no knowledge of this. His parents had said nothing. Still, he stayed silent, letting her continue.
"Blake... is Kyle adopted?"
His eyes widened. His fist clenched against the edge of the table, the wood creaking under the pressure.
His gaze sharpened, Genesis nearly spilling out despite years of discipline and control.
Staring at her, he asked, "Did my parents tell you?"
Corella nodded. "Not just . My parents know too."
Blake took a slow breath, forcing himself to stay composed. He needed to hear everything first.
Corella didn’t keep him waiting. She began recounting what had happened that day.
"Your parents believed there was no hope left for you... and that shocked beyond belief. They should have been the last ones to give up, and yet..." Her voice trembled with frustration and grief.
Blake understood her feelings, but he wasn’t surprised. His parents were practical people. They always knew where their priorities lay.
Corella continued, "If things had gone as they expected, then the obvious successor of the Astortia would have been Kyle. But... your parents weren’t in favor of him inheriting everything on his own."
Blake’s expression remained unreadable, his eyes empty.
He could already see where this was heading, but he said nothing, letting her continue.
"That’s why they wanted an alliance between our clans. This way, Kyle wouldn’t be able to make decisions unilaterally. On top of that, our clan would provide manpower to support the Astortia in the future."
She paused briefly before finishing, "And to ensure the alliance stayed under a recognized bloodline, Kyle would have been engaged to soone from my clan... most likely my cousin."
Blake understood everything.
His father saw Kyle as irresponsible, soone unfit to handle anything important. That was the image he showed to the world. But the real reason the Patriarch kept Kyle away from the clan’s core was far simpler.
Kyle did not share his blood.
He was adopted, a secret ant to remain between the three of them.
And now... in his desperation to secure the clan’s future, that man had crossed a line he never should have.
Blake’s teeth clenched. Without warning, he hurled the glass pen stand at the wall.
It shattered on impact.
Corella didn’t flinch nor moved. She knew exactly how much this must have hurt him, to realize his father was willing to trust outsiders over his own son.
Blake took a slow breath before turning toward her "Did you tell your parents you were coming to with this?"
Corella shook her head. "My father warned to keep it buried. Now that you’re back in full health, he said it would be better for both sides to forget that conversation ever happened."
Blake sighed. "I’m sorry, Corella... but your parents are going to be furious with you."
He said it knowing he wouldn’t stay silent. He would have a long and unpleasant conversation with his father, and when that happened, Corella’s involvent would inevitably co to light.
Corella simply smiled and shook her head. "I wouldn’t have co here if I wasn’t prepared for that."
Blake took a mont to just stare at her before holding her hand, as she slowly rose to her feet.
He pulled her closer, and Corella’s eyes widened, her cheeks warming.
Blake softly brushed a loose strand of her hair behind her ear and whispered, "You take so many risks for ... and never ask for anything in return."
Corella lowered her gaze, remaining silent.
Blake wasn’t a fool. He understood why she was devoted to him, why she cared for him so selflessly, why she had waited all this ti without ever forcing him to return her feelings.
He cupped her cheek. "I’ve been cruel to you, haven’t I?"
Corella shook her head. "You never asked to chase you. You even warned . It’s who just can’t give up." Her heart pounded in her chest as she spoke those words.
She has always been the one sided lover in this relationship. But she would have long given up if Blake would have shown reluctance to have her around.
Blake sighed before bringing her hand to his lips and kissing her knuckles tenderly, "I promise I will make up for this."
Corella couldn’t speak. Her face was hot and red as a tomato as she hurriedly nodded.
Blake pulled her in a hug, his arms wrapping around her back.
Corella lted in his hold, tension finally leaving her.
However, as if the intense feeling has been transferred with that hug, Blake’s eyes grew cold.
’Astortia Mathew...you have crossed your line this ti.’
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