The Emerald Heiress (Aurelia) novel Chapter 3

By 9 a.m. the next morning, it was all over the financial news.

*”Ashford Capital Completes Hostile Takeover of Blackwell Industries — Sources Confirm New Majority Shareholder Is Former Blackwell Family Member.”*

My phone had been ringing nonstop since 6 a.m. I let it ring.

I was sitting in the corner office on the 40th floor of the Ashford Capital building in Manhattan, sipping coffee and reviewing the final acquisition documents.

My assistant, Leo, knocked twice before entering. “Ms. Ashford, the Blackwell family’s attorney has called seven times. Derek Blackwell himself has called fourteen times. And…” He paused. “Constance Blackwell is in the lobby. She’s demanding to see you.”

I set my coffee down. “Constance is here? Already?”

“She arrived twenty minutes ago. Security is holding her at reception.”

I leaned back in my chair. “Send her up.”

Leo hesitated. “Are you sure?”

“Absolutely. I want to see her face.”

Five minutes later, Constance Blackwell stepped into my office.

She looked immaculate as always — Chanel suit, pearl earrings, not a hair out of place. But her eyes were wild, darting around the massive corner office as if she had walked into a trap.

“Aurelia.” Her voice was strained, barely controlled. “What is this? Some kind of sick joke?”

“Good morning, Constance. Please, sit down.”

She didn’t sit. “You bought our company? You? The woman who couldn’t even pick the right wine at dinner?”

“I always picked the right wine. You just never had the palate to appreciate it.”

Her face reddened. “This is fraud. There’s no way you have this kind of money. Who’s backing you? Who put you up to this?”

I slid a folder across the desk. “Ashford Capital. Founded by my father, Richard Ashford. Current net worth — north of twelve billion. Sole heir — me.”

Constance opened the folder. As she read, the color slowly drained from her face.

“This… this can’t be right.”

“It’s been verified by three independent auditors and the SEC. Would you like their numbers?”

The question caught me off guard.

I paused, then answered honestly. “More than he deserved.”

The door closed behind her.

I exhaled slowly, my calm exterior cracking just slightly.

Then Leo’s voice came through the intercom. “Ms. Ashford? There’s one more visitor. He doesn’t have an appointment, but he says it’s urgent.”

“Who is it?”

“Derek Blackwell. He’s on his way up. And ma’am…”

Leo’s voice dropped.

“He’s not alone. He brought Vanessa — and she’s still wearing your mother’s necklace.”