Chapter 3 Ultimatum and Opportunities

The morning sun rose over the city, casting its golden hue across the bustling streets as news of the Governor's demise echoed through every corner. In the opulent Blackwood ancestral mansion, John Blackwood sat in his study, engrossed in the grim reports flashing on the television screen. The sudden death of the Governor, discovered in a public area, stirred waves of speculation and unrest.

In the midst of this unfolding drama, Axel Blackwood, the enigmatic scion of the Blackwood family, strode into his father's presence. His demeanor was as composed as ever, despite the gravity of recent events. He had left his own residence early that morning, driven by a pressing work-related matter that now seemed trivial compared to the unfolding drama.

"Good morning, Dad," Axel greeted his father with a measured tone, masking the intensity of his thoughts.

John Blackwood glanced up from the news with a mix of concern and reproach. "Axel, I entrusted you with everything because I believed in your capability, not to engage in matters of life and death."

Axel's response was calm but tinged with an underlying defiance. "I haven't been implicated in the Governor's death. Let the authorities handle their investigation."

"Don't play innocent, Axel. You knew about his financial indiscretions, but it wasn't your place to take matters into your own hands," John retorted firmly.

"Cleaning up the mess sometimes means removing the source of the filth," Axel replied coolly. "Consider it a public service."

John Blackwood sighed heavily, his brows furrowing with concern. "Enough of this. I have given you an ultimatum. You have two months to find a wife and bring her to me. Or else, I will take matters into my own hands."

Axel's gaze hardened, but he said nothing, turning instead to leave the study, his mind already churning with strategies to handle this unexpected demand.

---

Meanwhile, across town, Lila and Danielle emerged from a rejuvenating spa session. Lila, the rising culinary star whose recent victory had catapulted her into the limelight, was still adjusting to the newfound attention. As they hailed a cab, Lila was taken aback when the driver recognized her instantly.

"Are you Lila? The culinary sensation?" the cab driver exclaimed with genuine admiration.

Lila exchanged a surprised glance with Danielle, who smiled knowingly. "Looks like fame has found you, Lila," Danielle teased lightly.

Embarrassed yet flattered, Lila handed the driver her business card with a grateful smile. "Call me. I'd love to meet your daughter."

As they settled into the cab, Danielle couldn't resist probing gently, "So, what's the next step? Any plans?"

Lila hesitated, pondering her newfound fame and the opportunities it presented. "Maybe start my own food brand... or perhaps open a restaurant," she mused aloud, her mind racing with possibilities.

The cab driver, overhearing their conversation, interjected enthusiastically, "Having a chef like you own a restaurant would be a dream come true. I'd drive customers to your door myself!"

Lila chuckled nervously, overwhelmed by the sudden outpouring of support and ideas. Danielle, sensing her friend's uncertainty, placed a reassuring hand on Lila's arm. "Take this week off from cooking. You've earned it. Let's explore these opportunities together."

---

Back at Axel's office, Brian, Axel's loyal assistant and confidant, noticed his boss's uncharacteristically tense demeanor as they worked through the morning. Unable to contain his concern, Brian finally broached the subject.

"You seem preoccupied today, Axel. Is everything alright?"

Axel glanced up sharply, his eyes betraying a hint of agitation. "My father dropped a bombshell. He wants me married within two months or else..."

Brian's eyes widened in surprise. "Married? Have you talked to him about-"

"He's made himself clear," Axel interrupted icily. "And I intend to handle it my way."

Brian nodded, recognizing Axel's steely resolve. "Understood. I'll start looking into potential candidates immediately."

Axel leaned back in his chair, his mind already racing ahead to the next steps in this unwanted game set by his father.

---

Elsewhere in the city, a young woman with striking blue hair sat alone in a bustling coffee shop, her fashionable attire and air of quiet confidence marking her as someone out of the ordinary. Flora, Axel's spirited sister, arrived moments later, her presence commanding attention despite the murmurs that followed in her wake.

"I left my schedule to meet you, and here I am, kept waiting," Flora chided playfully as she approached the table where the blue-haired woman sat.

"I apologize for the delay. Traffic," Kelly replied with a smile that didn't quite reach her eyes.

"I come bearing good news," Flora continued, ignoring Kelly's apparent annoyance.

"Good news?" Kelly echoed, arching an eyebrow in curiosity.

"Our dear father has given Axel an ultimatum. He must find a wife within a month, or he risks losing everything," Flora announced, her eyes dancing with mischief.

Kelly's expression softened, a hint of amusement tugging at her lips. "So, you're getting married?"

Flora burst into laughter at the thought. "Apparently! And you, my dear sister, will be my bridesmaid."

Kelly shook her head in disbelief but couldn't hide a small smile. "How did you find out about this? I thought family matters weren't your concern."

"Mum told me," Flora admitted with a shrug. "Axel wanted her to intervene, but Dad shut him down. Lucky for us."

The sisters shared a conspiratorial grin, already imagining the chaos their upcoming wedding plans would create.

---

In a dimly lit bar on the outskirts of town, Henry, an aging man with a troubled past, drowned his sorrows in cheap whiskey. His daughter, Lila, had achieved something remarkable, yet his own demons continued to haunt him.

"I almost had the lion, but then another antelope appeared. I took them both down flawlessly," Henry slurred drunkenly to anyone who would listen, his tales of imagined triumphs falling on indifferent ears.

The bar owner, a woman hardened by years of running the establishment, approached Henry with a demand for payment. Henry fumbled through his pockets, producing only a handful of coins that she snatched up without a word.

A figure approached Henry in the dim light, a shadowy presence that materialized from the darkness. "The boss wants to see you," the figure stated bluntly, its voice carrying an air of authority.

Henry's bleary eyes widened in fear, momentarily sobered by the implication. Without protest, he followed the figure out of the bar and into the waiting darkness.

---

Hours later, in the quiet solitude of her room, Lila was startled awake by a gentle tapping at her door. Her initial fear turned to relief when she recognized her father's familiar voice.

"Dad? What's wrong?" Lila asked, her heart racing from the abrupt awakening.

Henry flipped on the lights, revealing a solemn expression that belied his usual jovial demeanor. "I'm sorry for waking you, princess. But I need to talk to you about something important."

Lila sat up, her concern growing as she noticed the seriousness etched into her father's features. "What is it, Dad?"

Taking a deep breath, Henry began hesitantly. "You remember the competition you entered? You won. I'm proud of you, Lila."

A smile tugged at Lila's lips, touched by her father's rare display of affection. "Thank you, Dad."

Henry's gaze faltered, his voice dropping to a whisper. "But... there's something else. Years ago, I got myself into a debt... with President Blackwood."

Lila's blood ran cold at the mention of Axel Blackwood, a name synonymous with power and ruthlessness. She remembered him from the award ceremony, his presence casting a shadow over the room. The implications of her father's confession began to dawn on her.

"He offered to forgive my debt... if you agree to marry him," Henry admitted reluctantly, his voice thick with shame.

Lila felt as though the ground had shifted beneath her. The dreams she had nurtured, the independence she had fought for, threatened to unravel at the whims of a man she barely knew. Anger and hurt welled up inside her, threatening to spill over.

"Leave," Lila whispered hoarsely, her voice barely audible above the tumult in her mind. "Leave me alone."

Henry nodded silently, his heart heavy with guilt as he turned and left her room, leaving Lila to grapple with the weight of his revelation.

---

Back in the heart of the city, Axel sat at his desk, engrossed in his work, when Flora stormed into his office unannounced, her presence disrupting the quiet atmosphere.

"Why haven't you been answering my calls, Axel?" Flora demanded, her frustration palpable.

Axel spared her a brief glance before returning his attention to the computer screen. "I didn't feel like it."

"We're supposed to be getting married in a month, and you're acting like this. How are we supposed to plan anything?" Flora pressed, her voice tinged with hurt.

Axel finally turned to face her, his expression inscrutable. "Flora, let's get one thing straight. There is no 'we.' I'm the one getting married."

A flicker of hurt crossed Flora's features before she regained her composure, her voice wavering slightly. "But... I thought... I mean, we..."

"We had a fling, Flora," Axel interrupted bluntly, his words cutting through her defenses. "Nothing more."

Flora stood there,frozen.