Chapter 8
I blinked. “Isn’t he… a businessman?”
Kaelen looked incredulous. “You’ll see.”
He was right. I saw grandfather’s power firsthand.
Once recovered, grandfather beamed. “Sweetheart, throwing you a welcome bash! Just show up, wave, then Kaelen takes you out.”
My eyes fixed on the line of black–suited men behind him. “Are they… carrying guns?”
Suspicion grew. Who was my grandfather?
He just chuckled, changing the subject. “This time, I protect you.”
“Kaelen stays with you. Always.”
I blurted, “Not in the bathroom!”
Kaelen stood rigid in the corner. His eyes flickered almost imperceptibly.
He’d known me since I was twelve. Seen me at my worst. His presence flustered me.
Grandfather looked between us, then burst out laughing.
Kaelen checked his watch. “It’s the time.”
I never imagined returning like this, six months later.
Most of Seraphina’s birthday guests were here.
When I entered on grandfather’s arm, the room held its breath.
“My granddaughter, Elara Blackwood.”
“Respect her. Or answer to me.”
The stunned silence broke into murmurs of agreement.
My gaze locked onto Callahan and Seraphina near the edge.
Benedict Thorne approached nervously. “Silas… I had no idea Elara was your granddaughter…”
Callahan, staring at his phone, finally looked up. He froze. Then charged.
He grabbed my arm. “Elara! Where have you been?! I searched for months!”
“Answer me!”
Benedict Thorne roared. “Fool! That’s Silas Blackwood’s granddaughter! Unhand her!”
Kaelen was already between us, towering over Callahan, radiating menace.
Callahan recoiled. “What?!”
“You… a Blackwood?!”
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Whoops! My Revenge Plan To Trash EX Worked Too Well!
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Chapter 8
The name clicked. Silas Blackwood.
The shadow king. His reach extended everywhere.
Callahan had once bragged the Thornes thrived under the Blackwoods‘ protection.
I looked at the kindly old man beside me. His eyes held only love.
He’d never said a word. Mom’s father… was him.
My throat tightened. If only Mom had known. She wasn’t alone. She had a father who mattered.
Hatred surged as I looked at Callahan and Seraphina.
Callahan was stunned. Seraphina’s face twisted with envy. “Tch. A Blackwood? Your mom was a nobody! Did you sleep your way into this ‘grandfather“?”
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Chapter 9
