The morning sun bathed the sleek glass towers of the city in a golden glow, signaling the start of what would be a significant day for the Blackwood Corporation. Inside the towering office building, the atmosphere buzzed with anticipation. This wasn’t just any merger—it was a pivotal moment that could propel the company to new heights, and Seraphina was determined to see it through successfully.
Seraphina stood in front of a full-length mirror in her office, adjusting the collar of her tailored blazer. Today, she wasn’t just Richard Blackwood’s daughter; she was a force to be reckoned with in the business world. But there was more to this day than the merger itself—she was about to meet someone who, unbeknownst to her father and most others, shared a connection with her beyond the boardroom.
She took a deep breath, steeling herself for the day ahead. There was no room for mistakes. The Blackwood name was on the line, and she had no intention of letting it down.
Just as she was about to leave her office, there was a knock at the door. Michael entered, his usual dark and brooding presence a sharp contrast to the bright office. He wore a suit today, looking every bit the part of a crisis management consultant.
“Ready for the big day?” he asked, his tone neutral but his eyes holding a hint of something else—concern, perhaps?
Seraphina nodded, her expression unreadable. “I’m always ready.”
Michael didn’t press further. He could see the determination in her eyes. But there was something he hadn’t told her yet, something he wasn’t sure how she would take.
“The CEO of one of the companies involved in the merger... he’s not just any CEO,” Michael began, choosing his words carefully.
Seraphina’s gaze sharpened. “What do you mean?”
“He’s a Reaper. Just like you.”
There was a brief moment of silence as Seraphina processed this information. “A Reaper?” she repeated, more to herself than to Michael. “And he’s... working in the business world?”
Michael gave a slight nod. “Reapers find their own ways to blend in. Not all of them are as... active as we are. Some prefer to work behind the scenes, influencing things in ways that don’t always involve direct action.”
Seraphina’s mind raced as she considered the implications. “And you’re sure about this?”
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“I’ve met him before. A long time ago. His name is Victor Grey. He’s powerful, but he prefers to keep a low profile. From what I remember, he’s not one to cause trouble—unless he has a reason to.”
Seraphina’s gaze hardened. “Well, as long as he doesn’t interfere with the merger, we won’t have a problem.”
Michael’s lips curled into a faint smile. “I doubt he will. But just... be aware.”
With that, Seraphina nodded, her mind already shifting back to the task at hand. The merger was what mattered now. Anything else could wait.
The boardroom was a study in contrasts: sleek, modern design meeting old-world grandeur. The table was set for the final negotiations, and the key players had already gathered. Seraphina entered with her usual composed grace, her eyes scanning the room until they landed on Victor Grey.
He was a tall man, with sharp features and a presence that commanded respect. His silver hair and piercing blue eyes hinted at his otherworldly nature, but to the untrained eye, he was just another powerful businessman. As their eyes met, there was a flicker of recognition, but Victor simply gave a polite nod in her direction.
The meeting commenced, with the typical back-and-forth of high-stakes negotiations. Seraphina found herself surprisingly at ease with Victor, who proved to be a shrewd negotiator but also fair and reasonable. He was the type of person who exuded quiet authority, never needing to raise his voice to make his point.
Throughout the meeting, Seraphina and Victor exchanged subtle glances, an unspoken understanding passing between them. They were Reapers, bound by a shared duty, even if their paths had taken them in different directions.
As the discussions wore on, it became clear that the merger would be a success. The final agreements were signed, and as the meeting drew to a close, there was a palpable sense of accomplishment in the air.
As everyone began to leave, Victor approached Seraphina. “You handled yourself well in there,” he said, his tone warm but measured.
“So did you,” Seraphina replied, a hint of a smile playing on her lips.
Victor studied her for a moment before speaking again. “If you ever need anything, don’t hesitate to reach out. We Reapers have to stick together, after all.”
Seraphina gave a small nod. “I appreciate that. And the same goes for you.”
With a final nod, Victor turned and walked away, his presence lingering in the air even after he was gone.
Later that evening, Seraphina found herself back in her office, the events of the day replaying in her mind. The merger had been a success, and yet there was a strange sense of finality to it all. Meeting Victor Grey had reminded her that she was part of something much larger than herself, something that transcended the world of business and finance.
Just as she was lost in thought, her phone buzzed. It was a message from her father, Richard Blackwood. He congratulated her on the successful merger, praising her for her hard work and dedication. But there was something else—a subtle hint of curiosity, a question he hadn’t quite asked.
Seraphina frowned slightly as she read the message. Her father was a man who valued loyalty and results, but he was also a man who rarely missed anything. He had mentioned something about checking on an ongoing project, something that had piqued his interest.
She set the phone down, a faint unease settling in her chest. She had always been good at keeping secrets, at managing the delicate balance between her two worlds. But as she thought of her father’s connection to Lucian, and the ongoing project he had mentioned, she couldn’t shake the feeling that things were about to get more complicated.
Seraphina pushed the thought aside for now. She had done what needed to be done, and the merger was a success. Whatever was coming next, she would face it head-on. After all, she was a Blackwood—and a Reaper.
And she was ready for whatever came next.
End of Chapter 17