Chapter 4 Rise to Power

Elena arrived at Gateway Estate, her heart racing. But as she stood there, holding the keys to her new apartment, she realized something was wrong. She didn't know the house number.

"Why am I so careless?" she muttered to herself, frustration bubbling up inside her. She had the keys, but no way to find the house.

She thought for a moment. Damien had given her his number, but she hadn't saved it. After searching through her phone, she found the number and dialed it, hoping for a response.

The phone rang, but no one picked up. Elena tried again, only to have the call rejected. A third time, it wouldn't even go through.

Meanwhile, Damien was driving when his phone buzzed. He didn't recognize the number and, annoyed, he ended the call and blocked it. The last thing he wanted was to deal with an unknown caller while driving.

Elena stared at her phone in disbelief. She was sure it was Damien's number, but now he had blocked her. She was stranded at Gateway Estate, with no clue where to go.

After a few moments of panic, another thought crossed her mind. She had Arthur Sinclair's number-the elderly man who had come to her flower shop and arranged this entire situation. He was Damien's grandfather, and now he might hold the key to getting Elena out of this mess.

Quickly, Elena called him.

"Good afternoon, Mr. Sinclair. I hope you're doing well," Elena said, trying to keep her voice calm.

"Ah, Elena! I'm glad you've accepted the arrangement. How was the wedding between you and my grandson?" Arthur asked, his voice filled with curiosity.

"It went well. We're legally married now," Elena replied, trying to mask the confusion that still lingered in her heart.

Arthur was pleased to hear that the marriage had taken place. But then, Elena brought up the problem she was facing.

"I'm at Gateway Estate, but I don't know Damien's house number. I've tried calling him, but he won't answer. Can you help me?" Elena asked, her voice tinged with frustration.

"Of course. Just give me a moment." Arthur responded before hanging up. He immediately dialed Damien's number.

Damien was still driving when his grandfather's call came through. He hadn't been planning to take any calls while on the road, but Arthur was an exception. He quickly pulled over to the side of the road.

"Hello, Grandpa. What's up?" Damien asked, trying to sound casual.

"Elena is at Gateway Estate, but she can't find your house number. She's been trying to reach you, but her calls keep getting blocked. Tell me, what's the house number?" Arthur said, his voice serious.

Damien's mind raced as he remembered the calls from Elena. He had forgotten to save her number, and now he had inadvertently blocked her.

"It's House 25," Damien replied curtly, his mind already elsewhere.

As he spoke, his thoughts drifted to the arrangement. He had agreed to marry Elena, but he couldn't let her know the truth-that he was a billionaire. He had to maintain his facade as a man with modest means. His grandfather had pushed him into this marriage, but Damien couldn't afford to let Elena think otherwise.

Arthur quickly called Elena back with the number.

Elena's heart skipped when she heard Arthur's voice again. "It's House 25, Elena. You'll find it there."

"Thank you," Elena said, feeling a wave of relief wash over her. Now she could move in.

When she arrived at House 25, the apartment was comfortable but not extravagant. It was more than she expected, but it lacked proper furniture. Damien hadn't bothered to furnish the second room, and the apartment had a cold feel to it.

Still, it was better than what she had back home. She thought she might help set it up a little. "I have to do something for him," she thought, wanting to feel like she contributed to this strange, new life.

The master bedroom was well-furnished-clearly Damien's. She wandered over to the unmade bed in the other room and lay on it for a moment, letting the soft sheets comfort her. But then she remembered-Natasha was waiting for her back at the flower shop.

Meanwhile, Damien had arrived at his villa. He had been on his way to an important family meeting, but news of his marriage had already leaked. Some were pleased, while others questioned his decision.

He had kept his marriage quiet to avoid further scrutiny. "This is just business," Damien had convinced himself. He didn't want anyone to meddle in his personal life, especially when it came to Elena.

"I married her for a reason," he thought. "It's not love. It's all about securing my position."

But still, his family's reaction made him uneasy. He had only agreed to marry Elena to ensure his position as the rightful heir to the Sinclair empire. Yet, deep down, he could sense that his decision wasn't going down well with everyone.

At the family meeting, Damien presented his marriage certificate to the elders to prove that he was legally married. The room grew quiet as the document was passed around. Some nodded in approval, while others exchanged uncertain glances. The tension in the room was palpable.

One of Damien's uncles, a powerful figure in the family, was the first to speak up. "You married someone of lower class? This is not the kind of match the Sinclair name deserves!" His voice was filled with disapproval, and his words hung heavily in the air.

Damien felt a wave of anger rise within him but quickly masked it. He wasn't about to back down now. "This was my decision," he said firmly, his voice unwavering. "I did what I had to do to secure my future."

"Your future?" his aunt chimed in, her tone sharp. "What about the Sinclair legacy? This woman-she can't even understand what you're inheriting. You've made a grave mistake, Damien."

Several family members muttered in agreement, their voices filled with skepticism. But Damien didn't flinch. He had made his choice, and no one could change that.

"Damien is right," Arthur Sinclair, his grandfather, interjected, his voice carrying a certain authority that silenced the room. "We've had our doubts, but this is his choice. The marriage has already been finalized, and there's no turning back. We may not like it, but we must respect it."

With that, the family members fell silent. Some looked at Damien with resentment, others with a sense of resignation, but none dared to challenge his decision further. The final document was signed, solidifying Damien's role as the new chairman of the Sinclair empire.

As the paperwork was completed, Damien assumed his new position with a mixture of relief and unease. He had secured what he needed, but the cost of his choice was becoming more evident with each passing moment.

Meanwhile, Elena settled into her new apartment, trying to wrap her head around everything that had happened. She was now married to a stranger, a man she barely knew. But she also had to acknowledge the strange comfort that came with the apartment.

Her husband-a man she couldn't even call her own-had provided her a place to stay, paid her shop's rent, and ensured that Jake could continue his treatment. She didn't know if she could ever love him, but she couldn't deny that his actions had helped her when she needed it the most.