The Blake estate was built to impress.
Marble pillars. Crystal chandeliers. Art that cost more than most people's homes.
But beneath all that glittering wealth, the dining hall tonight felt like a battleground.
Adrian Blake sat next to the chairman, Elias Blake, at the long table — straight-backed, expression carved from ice. His sharp gaze swept over the faces around him.
To his right, Seraphina Hart sat poised, the perfect fiancée, her diamond earrings and engagement ring catching the light.
At the head of the table, Chairman Elias Blake lifted his glass of red wine, his gaze sharp as it swept across the gathering. His silver hair and lined face spoke of power held too long, of battles fought and won.
The only warmth in that gaze was for Adrian.
"Adrian," the old man said, voice deep and commanding, "you make me proud. This engagement will secure the Blake legacy."
Adrian gave a brief nod. "Thank you, Grandfather."
His tone was flat. Empty.
Across from him, Patrick Blake — his father — watched with barely hidden contempt.
Patrick's face was lined with bitterness. He gripped his glass so tightly his knuckles whitened.
To see his bastard son take the place that should have been his — it was a wound that never healed.
"Proud?" Patrick echoed, forcing a smile that didn't reach his eyes. "What's there to be proud of? He hasn't done anything remarkable. Just reaping what you handed him."
Elias' gaze snapped to his son. "Mind your tongue, Patrick. Adrian has done more for this family's name in five years than you did in fifty."
The tension crackled like a live wire.
Adrian said nothing.
He was used to it. To their shows of shame.
To the world, they seemed to be a happy family, but in here they all knew they were simply trying to tolerate each other.
Beside Patrick, Evelyn Blake — Patrick's legal wife, Adrian's stepmother — shifted uncomfortably, her smile brittle.
"Father, let's not turn this into another argument," she said sweetly. She kept her eyes lowered and toyed with her fork.
Though her gaze darted to Adrian with thinly veiled hatred, she dared not let him catch it.
She hated his very existence — the reminder that Patrick had strayed, that the bastard had become heir instead of her legitimate son.
Evelyn had always spat at Adrian's existence when he first joined the family. Because of his silence, she felt she could keep doing it. But now, she dared not.
The last time she had insulted Adrian to his face, his response had shattered her — not with words, but with what followed: a silent, ruthless reminder of how easily he could ruin her life.
He didn't even need to speak of it. Everyone knew Adrian was not an easy person. Even Elias knew better than to press him too far.
She hadn't forgotten, and never would.
Victor Blake, Adrian's elder half-brother, leaned back in his chair, watching the scene unfold with cold amusement.
He had been Patrick's pride before Adrian came along. But now he was nothing more than a side note in the family saga.
In truth, Elias had never treated him as the heir. He had always complained about Victor since childhood, but favored Adrian immensely from the moment he arrived.
Victor chuckled, masking his resentment. "We should all be grateful Adrian's so capable. Imagine where the Blake name would be without him."
Elias smiled and nodded to that.
At the far end, Amelia Blake, the youngest of the legitimate children — and younger than Adrian — watched with narrowed eyes.
She, too, loathed Adrian. The bastard who stole the future she had envisioned for her brother and herself.
"Such arrogance," she muttered under her breath.
But Victor heard.
"Did you say something?" he asked with a smirk, trying to put his sister in the spotlight.
"Nothing," Amelia said quickly, shaking her head in denial.
She kept quiet after that, her earlier venom swallowed. She had learned her lesson. Once, she had tried to humiliate Adrian at a charity event — and his cold retaliation had left her social circle in ashes.
Now, she smiled when expected, laughed softly at the right moments, and stayed out of his path.
Elias cleared his throat. "Enough. All of you."
He looked at Adrian, his voice softening. "The company is stronger than ever, thanks to you. I'm glad I made the right choice. And with Seraphina by your side, the Blakes will remain at the top for generations."
Adrian inclined his head slightly. "I do what I must."
"Tell us, Adrian," Victor said, tone light but forced. "When's the big day? Or will Grandfather have to arrange that for you too?"
Adrian didn't flinch. He didn't blink. His stare landed on Victor like a blade, sharp enough to make him uneasy.
"I could arrange your funeral first, if you're in such a hurry for dates."
The table froze.
Even Elias froze for a few seconds, though no one noticed.
Funeral? What does he mean by that? Aren't we talking about a wedding?
Victor had always liked to run his mouth, but Adrian wasn't in the mood for his tantrums. It was better to shut him up before he ruined the evening further.
Patrick was disappointed in this son of his, who always let Adrian have the upper hand.
That was the son he raised, the one he hoped would become heir. But every time, he turned out to be a disappointment when facing Adrian — the son he loathed.
Victor laughed, strained and hollow. "Just joking, little brother. You shouldn't get angry at everything."
But his hand trembled slightly as he set down his glass. Adrian was dangerous when triggered, and Victor knew better than to fight him head-on. He wasn't a coward, he told himself. He was just being strategic.
Or so he thought.
A warrior must know when to retreat on the battlefield — or else he becomes history. That was how Victor branded his retreat, covering his cowardice before his infuriating younger brother.
Seraphina Hart reached for Adrian's arm on the table, the image of the supportive fiancée. "Let's not fight tonight. We're family."
She expected him to withdraw his hand, but to her surprise, he didn't.
She smiled to herself happily.
Elias watched with approval. His grandson was everything he wanted in a Blake leader: ruthless, untouchable, feared. Not some scaredy-cat like Victor, whom he skewered with an invisible glare.
---
Dessert was served — a sweetness no one truly tasted.
Adrian ate mechanically.
Conversation buzzed around the table — shallow talk of stock markets, charity events, luxury vacations.
Adrian spoke only when directly addressed.
Even then, his replies were brief, cool, controlled.
The Blake family didn't deserve more.
---
Patrick thought the dinner was too peaceful. He decided to stir the pot.
"After picking the date, don't forget to invite us, Adrian. We wouldn't want to miss your wedding… son."
He dragged out the last word with a smirk, knowing Adrian hated being called his son.
Adrian was the child born of his wayward lust — the son who ruined his perfect life and made him a disgrace before his own father, Elias.
So why should he accept him? Adrian wasn't worth it. He was nothing but a bastard son he rejected.
Seraphina looked at Patrick with annoyance but hid it gracefully under a smile.
Why did he need to be invited to the wedding?
Wasn't he family already?
Was he trying to say Adrian wasn't family, that he had to be invited separately?
Seraphina's fingers tensed on her napkin, but she kept smiling.
Adrian met Patrick's gaze, unblinking. "Don't bother yourself too much. I'll be sure not to invite any of you. Wouldn't want you spoiling the photos."
Patrick's face darkened.
Elias barked a laugh, the only one amused.
"Such a fine match you two make," Elias said, nodding at Seraphina. "Soon you'll give me great-grandchildren. The Blake legacy will be secure."
Seraphina's cheeks flushed prettily. "That's our wish, Grandpa Blake."
Adrian gave a polite nod, but his eyes stayed distant. The word legacy felt heavier than ever — a chain he had never wanted, but now bore because there was no other way.
---
When dinner ended, Elias called Adrian aside.
They stood by the tall windows, overlooking the city lights.
"You remind me of myself at your age," the old man said, pride clear. "You're stronger than them. That's why I chose you. Don't let them drag you down."
"I won't."
Elias placed a hand on his shoulder. "And don't let anything come between you and your fiancée. Don't let another woman cloud your judgment and make you like your father. Marry her. Secure the alliance. That's what matters."
He knew Adrian was still searching for someone — even if he didn't have the full story. But women like that had always been the downfall of great men.
Adrian nodded once. "Understood."
But deep down, a storm of questions raged.
And tonight, seeing the vipers at the table — his so-called family — only reminded him:
He trusted no one.
Not even his grandfather.