Nicholas Pov.
I stood in my gigantic and luxurious office facing the scenery through the window but didn't pay it any mind as my head swirled with thoughts of my last meeting with father.
I had been in a terrible mood since then and my staff had noticed. They probably wondered what sorry competitor had gotten my attention, but little did they know it had nothing to do with business.
Martha, my secretary had been the recent scapegoat this morning as I had yelled at her over minor mistakes and errors and berated her, telling her she's becoming incompetent and inadequate.She looked like was fighting off tears as she apologized profusely and left my office.I hadn't seen her since then.
Stop being an asshole. A little voice scolded in my head and I knew it was the truth. I just couldn't help it at the moment.
I sighed tiredly and made a note to myself to send an apology gift card with fruits to her desk once the day was over.
I sat down and thought of my next plan of action. My inheritance was on the line. I should have known my father won't be afraid of using any dirty tricks in his arsenal to bring me down.
The spineless bastard.
I dug deeper into my future bride's family and made some new interesting findings.
They weren't from old money like many other powerful families like the Blackwoods. On the contrary one could have called them of lower class back then, but something had changed and they had risen to the ranks. What had happened?
Another discovery.
My father and Ariella's father had attended the same high school.
There were too many coincidences for this not to look more than a marriage between two powerful families.
My father is hiding a secret and I will find out what it is. But first–
"Buon giorno!! dear brotherrrrr!!", a joyful and playful voice boomed at the entrance of my office. Martha glanced frighteningly at my face before looking down nervously. Make those two fruit baskets.
I rolled my eyes before setting them on the only person aside from my older brother Dom and Father that could have the temerity to enter my office unannounced.
My younger and too mischievous brother, Zane Maddox Blackwood.
"Way to make an entrance, Zane", I responded dryly, "Haven't you ever heard of the word manners"? "You said good morning, this is mid afternoon by the way" I finished, looking distastefully at his dark brown tousled waves and leather jackets.
"Hello to you too Nick", He rolled his eyes and sat down heavily on the couch like a tired sergeant .
"To what do I owe you this unpleasant visit" I leaned back on my seat, a migraine already forming.
This visit couldn't be a coincidence. Though my brother lacked some brain cells, he was nothing if not calculating. Like all Blackwoods.
"Dom and his wife said hi by the way and can't I want to visit my lovely brother and relax in his workplace?"he questioned innocently,hoisting his legs on the glass table and getting comfortable.
"Of course you can", I retorted coldly, "you must be exhausted, running from accountability all day".
Zane scoffed at that and was about to throw back an insult but stopped abruptly.
He looked at his watch and then smirked at me. Smiling like a Cheshire cat he asked "How's my new sister in law—your wife, doing?".
Of course he freaking knew.
"That's none of your fucking business", I said icily,
Standing I stared him down."If that would be all, I have a meeting to attend so kindly get the fuck out".
Zane stood up feigning hurt and shrugged walking towards the exit. I almost sighed in relief when he suddenly turned, gave me an enigmatic look and smiled devilishly. What the fuck did he do this time?
"Oh, before I forgot….. I got a honeymoon gift for you and your wife". Do well to enjoy it".
With a parting glance he winked at me and left.
I swear if he fucking dumped cow manure into my pool again, I was going to butcher him and feed his innards to the butler's pet cat.