The Blackwood Scandal

ry'

hat the weekend had come to an end. I stepped out of my apartment, gazing out at the breathtaking view of

throngs of suited professionals dressed in sharp suits and polished shoes, rushing to start their day. As we descended

rking spot and rummaged through my bag for my keys, slipping into the driver's sea

, Rachel, chimed as I entered the office

ing Rachel

day." she began. "Meeting with the Jones at 11 am, conference ca

arcastically. I nodded, taking a sip of

er brow. "Actually, you have a visitor waiting in your office. He didn't

ar when I reached it, and inside, I found a man, he was dressed in a dark, tailored suit that spoke of

tered, closing the door behind me

n unreadable. "Avery Monroe.

rrowed. "W

voice low and gravelly. "I represen

of services

"My client is being blackmailed," he whispered. "And we need someo

eyebrow. "I'

and well known businessman," he said. "He's been receiving t

owed. "What secre

t say my client has a lot to lose," he said finally. "And we n

g different, something that challenged me. This seemed like it could be that opportunity-though it also reeked of trou

I said slowly, "I'll need to m

you'll need to sign an NDA. My client takes the

" I s

nd pulled out a document. "I expec

dening at the severity of the term

My client's reputation is at stake. If you're willin

g entangled in whatever mess this was. But another part-a stronger part-was drawn to the challenge

then." He placed a card on my desk, the black and silver design simple but e

cognition, but before I could question it,

rief nod before stepping out and closing the door behind him. I set the ca

th questions. I took a deep breath before stepping into the s

sitation, but he didn't comment on it. "Avery, good to see you. Let'

ay through the corridors to a room that exuded wealth and power. Glass walls, mini

d for me to enter. "Please, have a seat," he said, his t

t my skin. I found myself scanning the room, mentally preparing for whatever was about to

door opened, an

e Bla

that filled out his impeccably tailored suit. His hair was short, dark brown, with a sharp jawline and firm lips that held a subtle pou

hat surrounded him. But nothing had prepared me for the intensity of his gaze. His eyes locked

eep and commanding as he extended a ha

e without flinching. "Mr. B

red his throat, trying to reassert control over the room. "Shall

said bluntly. His voice was low, almost menacing. "There have

reats are we talking about?" I asked, keeping my tone neut

han that. They're threatening to expose certain... details that could ruin me." he

d. His vagueness wasn't helping. "Mr. Blackwood, I'm going to

ris, who nodded slightly, as if

ble decisions in my past. Decisions that, i

t, clearly expecting that to be enough. I leane

able deci

my entire life out

back. He was acting like I was the one in need of help, as if I should

to handle this, I need to know what I'm dealing with.

. "Fine. There's some information about my past that I never wanted to come to light. That's what they're threatening to expose. I didn't commit a crime, bu

the half-answers. "And what makes you

n his lips. "Chris assures me you're the best. Look Ms Mo

preciate being strong-armed into taking a case." I

in his seat, sensing the t

blunt-I don't have time for pleasantries or games. I'm not looking

moment, " I need tim

sive. "Fair enough, You have until Tomorrow. If I d

uld," I said coldly, turning on my heel and heading for the door. I c

elieve his arrogance. The man seemed to think he could just throw demands

uld reach the elevator, I heard footsteps behind m

thless. He caught up to me just as I reached the elev

g the elevator button a li

g gesture. "Look, I know George can b

utting it mildly, Chris. He's rude, arrogant, and completely full of himself. He pr

worked with him for years, and believe me, I know how he comes off,

rms. "And why

Avery. You know how to handle these situations, and frankly, Geor

rying to manipulate me into taking the case. His eyes held a seriousness

on creeping into my voice. "Instead of acting like I

weakness. He's spent his whole life building walls around himself, and it's hard for him to let people in. But beli

mulling over Chris's words. He followed me in, and we stood in silence as

, and as the doors opened, I t

know my decisi

crossing his features. " Just

my way through the throngs of people, I couldn't shake the feeling that despite all the reasons I shouldn't take the case, I was already too involved to