Aria's POV
On my way out of the office ,I walked through the hallway. Damian insisted on walking me to my car. Every employee that walked past us went mute at the sight of us. I become worried but Damian kept his cool.
"Ignore them" he said
I nod but deep down I wish I could disappear into my car. I honestly don't like being accused wrongly.
It's easy for him to ignore them
I mean this is his world and I'm only learning how to breathe in it.
The thought of someone using my access card popped into my mind then I asked
"Why would someone frame me for something I didn't do?"
"Why use my card?"
"Your card wasn't used — it was cloned" he said
Meaning someone got close to my belongings, took my card when I wasn't watching ,cloned it and returned mine.
" I think they're using you as a shield or weapon " he continues "maybe because you already know too much and they see you as threat."
"Threat?" I asked
"See it this way — it's easier to frame someone who doesn't know they're a threat" he says
Those words
" You think someone is setting me up."
"Yes I think they're using you "
Again I feel scared because I don't know who I'm up against yet.
Maybe U-COW
I wonder who they work for.
I got into the car and Damian gets in with me.
"What are you doing?" I asked
"Be calm " he continues
" I feel we're being watched. I will keep you company til the driver comes." He says
I suddenly felt what I'm not supposed to feel
He cares too much and it makes me wonder if —
"Aria" he interrupts my thoughts
"Yes" I took a deep breath
"Aria I feel this whole accusations aren't just about you," "I think someone is after me "
"What do you mean" I ask
"Restricted floors require board authorization," he explains. "The one your card was used on is sealed. No department, no employees assigned. It's… off the grid."
I stare at him. "And you don't control it?"
His eyes hold mine.
"No."
This only means something inside his own company is hidden from him.
Suddenly a tap on the window. Damian winds down and see his secretary.
"Sir… the board is asking for a follow-up meeting."
"Declined," Damian says without looking at him.
The assistant bows slightly and disappears like smoke.
He doesn't ask why.
He doesn't question him.
Which tells me Damian's people know better than to pry.
Then he takes my laptop, opening a secure folder. I recognize the content—lists of employees with access to my floor, timestamps from surveillance cameras, digital footprints leading toward the restricted level.
He studies them with surgical precision, but his silence grows heavier by the second.
"You're scaring me" I say softly.
His eyes lift immediately. "No. I'm protecting you."
It's not the reassurance I expected, but it's strong enough to steady me for a moment.
Then my phone rings.
The sound shatters the silence like a glass falling to the ground.
Damian's eyes snap to mine, waiting to see the caller.
I pick up my phone and it's —
Uncle Hayden calling
I freeze
Of all people..
And of all time…
Damian signals me to pick the phone and put it on speaker.
After much hesitation , I answer
"Uncle" My voice comes out steadier than I feel
"Aria," he says, too warmly. "I've been trying to reach you. How are you holding up, sweetheart?"
Sweetheart?
He only calls me that when he wants something
Damian's focus is on me
"I'm fine," I say carefully. "Just… settling into the job."
"Oh good, good," he says with exaggerated relief. "I heard Blackwood is going through some internal issues recently. Corporate tensions, board disagreements… I just wanted to check on you."
Damian's head tilts—slowly.
He mouths:
How does he know?
I don't have an answer.
I'm honestly hoping he has nothing to with my father's death
Uncle continues, voice a blend of sugar and artificial concern, more like pretense
I'm honestly hoping what I feel isn't true about him.
Then Uncle Hayden continues
"I worry, you know. About you getting caught up in something messy. Especially after what happened with your father—"
I held my phone tightly took a deep breath then say
Uncle," I say sharply. "Please don't."
Then a soft sigh—pretending to be hurt. "I only want what's best for you, Aria You know that."
Damian shakes his head in disapproval
He knows manipulation when he hears it.
"And sweetheart… if anything feels unsafe, anything at all, you call me. You hear? Don't let those people drag you into their chaos."
Those people.
Blackwood.
The message is subtle, but clear.
Damian folds his arms, his expression unreadable.
"I'll be fine, Uncle," I say. "Thanks for checking on me."
"Oh, of course — Always." His tone shifts just slightly—warmer, almost triumphant. "Take care, darling. Don't trust everyone around you."
"And Aria," he adds "why don't you come by this weekend for dinner…it's been a while "
"Okay Uncle I will do that " I responded
Beep.
The call disconnects.
Only then could I finally breathe
Damian taps my back so I can be calm.
"He knows too much " he says
I nod in agreement.
"When was the last time he called ?" he asked
I think about it and realize it's been months.
"Your uncle isn't checking on you."
He looks at me.
"He's checking on what you've discovered."
I nod with understanding.
"Ari " Damian calls my attention
"I know he's your Uncle but if my assumptions are true then he's not to be trusted"
"Starting now," he says "we operate on the assumption that he has eyes inside Blackwood Corp."
"And what does that mean" I ask
He keeps quiet then speaks " It means we're closer to the truth than I thought"
Just then
The driver taps on the window
" I'm here Miss Lawson" the driver says
Damian gets down and tells him to drive safe
He nods and gets into the car.
"Let me know when you get home Ari " Damian added
I smile and whisper " thank you"
He smiles back and heads inside the company.
The ride back home is quiet .
The kind of quiet right before a storm.
I thought about what Damian said earlier , the call from my uncle and for the first time since stepping into Blackwood…
I realize someone is watching every step I take and they're waiting for my next move.