The Heiress and the Four Brothers

SERA

"If I die tomorrow, will you cry for me?"

The question slipped from Reggie Blackwood's mouth, accompanied by a lopsided smile that did not reflect the weakness of his body. Even with a pale face and frequently interrupted breathing, the old man still carried an aura of power.

Sitting opposite him, I was transfixed. My hand holding the teacup suddenly felt too heavy, and silence crept into the room like fog.

"Of course I'll drink champagne with your corpse," I said after sipping the tea, trying to cover up my anxiety with a joke.

A crisp laugh escaped the 66-year-old's lips. "Good idea," he commented. "Who else are you going to drink with anyway?"

I finally let out a long sigh, feeling tired. "You're being overly dramatic, Reggie. Your health is already much better. The doctor said-"

"That pretentious man just wants me to survive longer."

"That's what a doctor does, isn't it?" I did not expect there to be a tremor in my voice, even though I wanted to sound cynical.

"Sera, I'm serious. I didn't call you in between your busy schedule to talk about my health."

I made no further comment, just looked at him silently. For some reason the turtleneck I was wearing began to feel so suffocating and itchy.

"Why didn't you ever ask me why I adopted you?" asked Reggie. The topic that we had not spoken about for years was suddenly brought up. And that meant, I knew that our conversation was really going to get serious. And this was about our relationship, not business or anything like that.

"Because I couldn't question your decision in the first place," I replied, not entirely lying.

"But do you ever wonder?"

Yes, often. On certain nights over the past 16 years, I would think about it. And more often than not, it was in the form of my gratitude. "I told myself that it was because I'm pretty and the smartest one in that place."

Reggie laughed. "Well, that's not wrong." He took a deep breath, then leaned forward. "But another reason is that it's as my penance. On the other hand, I know you are indeed suitable for the Blackwood family."

"Penance?" I never thought that would be the answer to my question from those few nights.

"There's so much I could forget but that four people."

"You killed four people?" I snapped, which made Reggie laugh again.

"No, silly. I mean, there are four men out there who have my blood running through their bodies. Four men who don't even know each other-and have never met me until the past few days. They are my sons, Sera. The sons of four different women."

"You're joking, right?"

"I don't even take million-dollar business decisions this seriously." Reggie leaned back in his chair, exhaustion evident on his face. "And they're coming here. I've called them all, and you'll meet them at dinner tonight."

There was a moment of silence. My mind was spinning wildly. Almost everyone in this town knew that Reggie in his younger days was an adventurer, a love adventurer to be more precise, a womanizer who captured the hearts of many women. But, four sons from four different mothers... I never imagined that. That's way too much!

"Why didn't you tell me earlier? This is too sudden." I emphasized my voice, before finally remembering something important. "Wait, do they know that I ...?"

"Of course." The old man smiled faintly, shrugging casually. "They know you're my adopted daughter. That you have an important role in Blackwood."

"You know I love you, but this is crazy, Reggie." I leaned closer, looking at him sharply. "They must think I'm just an appendage. Or worse, a hindrance!"

"Ah, they won't dare." He chuckled, but a cough followed, forcing him to stop.

"You can't be serious about this. It's a matter of blood and legacy. Money and power. They'll be battling each other before you have a chance to introduce them properly!"

"And that's where you come in," Reggie commented calmly.

The large window in Reggie's study suddenly caught my attention, as if calling me to jump out of there and leave this nonsense behind. "I'm not a martyr, Reggie. And what if I fail?"

"You won't, I believe in your abilities. You've been a Blackwood longer than any of them, and you know what that means."

I swallowed. My breathing was getting heavy. "So, what do you want from me tonight?"

"It's simple. Don't let them kill each other at the dinner table."

"That's madness."

"All great things start with madness, my dear. Now, prepare yourself. They'll be here in a few hours, and I don't want this first dinner to turn into a battlefield. You are my strength here."

I closed my eyes, trying to digest everything. When I opened my eyes again, Reggie was leaning back casually in his chair, with a small smile indicating that this conversation was over.

I had no idea where Reggie's plans would take me this time. However, one thing I was sure of was that after tonight, my life would never be the same again.

***

Dinner time had come. Grant, the majordomo of the Blackwood family said that the "guests" were waiting at the dining table.

I stepped up to the table, feeling the attention on me. The first man seated directly in front of me, with a firm jaw and a serious face, was dressed perfectly in a suit like a CEO. His dark blonde hair was neatly combed back, while his sharp blue eyes stared at me with slightly raised eyebrows, as if judging, but then he covered it with a faint smile.

To his left, the second man smiled in a softer, more open manner. Although his slightly glazed eyes revealed a hesitation that he could not hide, as if he was unsure of how to behave. He was wearing a slightly rumpled casual jeans jacket, with his blonde hair looking a little messy.

Shifting to the left again, the third man smiled in a warm way. His broody gray-brown eyes were full of serenity, as if he was a counterbalance in the midst of this tension. He was wearing a plain white shirt with the top two buttons undone. His eyes looked at me softly, as if he wanted to talk, but preferred to remain silent and respectful of my presence.

And finally, the fourth man sat in a more relaxed manner, but there was tension all around him. His smile was slightly lopsided, with a slightly more intense gaze than the others. There was a mixture of anxiety and tension that was hard to explain there, but I felt like there was a part of him that wanted to fight, while another part just wanted to give up. His black outfit, which seemed like a spontaneous choice, even gave me a slightly interesting impression.

After meeting the Blackwood Brothers-I decided to call them that from now on-there was one thing that immediately intrigued me. I was curious-curious to death-about Reggie's appearance when he was younger. Because, gosh, just look at his four sons: they're all incredibly handsome with their own distinctive features. I no longer doubted that Reggie was a lady-killer back in the day.

***

SERA

A few seconds passed in silence before Reggie's heavy footsteps and slow breathing could be heard. The old man walked in, cane in hand, heading straight for the prepared chair at the end of the table. "Ah, you're all here," he said, his voice calm but authoritative. "And I see my beautiful daughter has joined us. Good, so the four of you have met her."

I smiled faintly. Reggie referred to me as his daughter, which I thought was the best way for him to introduce me, confirming my status here.

"This is the first time we've all gathered here. But there's no reason to be awkward." He then glanced at me, as if asking for my approval, and I nodded slowly, though my heart was still full of question marks. "Ace, as the eldest, perhaps you could start to introduce yourself first?"

The man across from me nodded in a calm and confident manner. "Okay, everyone, my name is Atticus-or Ace-Vance. I'm an attorney at the Hayes & Chan Law Firm." I glanced at Reggie, asking silently, and he nodded.

I smiled slightly and nodded, but the tail of my eye caught the response of the fourth man who seemed to be holding back laughter. When our eyes met, the man's expression fell flat again. I tried to ignore him and turned to the second man next to Ace.

"I'm Beck Archer, an artist," he said with a half-flipped smile. "I've also studied computer science, but nothing can separate my passion for art." He looked at me for a moment, as if gauging my reaction, then continued. "Even though life is messy sometimes, I always try to find beauty in the mess." There was something evocative in the way he spoke.

A faint smile played on Ace's lips, but there was no admiration in his gaze. "Finding beauty in the mess," he murmured softly, nodding his head.

"That sounds lovely," I commented with a genuine smile when Beck turned to Ace with a displeased face, which made Beck smile brightly again as he looked at me.

Don't make them kill each other at the dinner table. That was Reggie's message to me a few hours ago. And that was my best way to prevent it from happening.

It was now the turn of the man to Beck's left to speak, the man who had been staring intently as Ace and Beck introduced themselves. "I'm Callum Hart, but my friends call me Cal." His voice was exactly what I had envisioned. It was the kind of calming voice that would make you feel like you could sleep comfortably anywhere as long as he was around. "I work as a doctor by day. If you guys need medical help or just a wiser conversation, I'm here."

Ace just gave a small nod, maybe feeling like finally someone was at least approaching his class. Beck only responded with a soft smile and a subtle nod. The fourth man didn't react much, his expression static.

Then finally, the man with a mysterious aura who sat at the end of the table and watched with a sharp gaze. "Damon Wolfe," he said in a low voice. His sharp blue eyes similar to Ace's looked straight at Reggie, then me. "I'm ...." His words hung in the air, people waiting for him to continue, but all had to swallow their disappointment when he finally ended it with, "maybe that's it."

My eyes caught a lopsided smile from Ace, who was obviously mocking. Just like what Damon did when Ace introduced himself. Great, we've found the top candidates who will kill each other in this house.

Dinner began, but I felt that what started with this simple introduction would lead to something bigger. Something that would change my life forever.

I watched them again. Ace, Beck, Cal, and Damon. I didn't know if their names in alphabetical order were coincidental or intentional. However, if it was intentional by Reggie, I liked the man's sense of humor. Was he inspired by Bridgerton or something?

"So, Sera, when I said this afternoon that you have an important role here ... I meant it."

I did not reply to my foster father's words, I just stayed silent and watched, waiting for his next words.

Reggie smiled facing his four sons. "Whoever among the four of you can win Sera's heart and marry her, I will make him the main heir of the Blackwood Group."

I spit out my drink. "Wha?!"

Reggie's words echoed in the room, and for a moment, everyone was frozen in shock. My heart raced, my mind unable to process the sudden turn of events. Ace, Beck, Cal, and Damon exchanged shocked glances, their expressions ranging from disbelief to amusement at Reggie's unexpected proclamation.

Ace, always composed and collected, was the first to speak up. "So, we have to compete to marry her? How interesting."

Cal raised a hand, exactly like a student who wanted to be noticed. "Wait, I think... Sera has a say in this, right? It's not just about us, right?"

Right.

Marrying one of these men to inherit a fortune and lead a powerful company-it was like a plot from a cheesy romance novel.

I looked pleadingly at Reggie. "Reggie, can we talk for a minute?"

He smiled calmly. "You can talk about anything here, my dear."

I felt like I had been betrayed by Reggie. I obviously knew he was a great businessman, a big shot businessman, who did a lot of things to get what he wanted. He knew full well that some of his decisions would upset or disappoint others. But this wasn't about business.

I took a deep breath, gathering my thoughts. "I appreciate your intentions, Reggie, but this is not the way to go about it. I won't be a prize to be won in a competition among strangers."

Reggie's smile faltered slightly, realizing he might have miscalculated my reaction. "Sera, I only wanted what's best for this family."

"Which family?" My voice was choked. I didn't realize the words were coming out of my own mouth. I loved Reggie, I respected him. But Reggie's idea-or maybe it was already his decision-was breaking my heart.

Ace, who had been observing the exchange with a critical eye, leaned back in his chair, crossing his arms. "And what if nobody succeeds?"

"Oh, I'm sure that won't happen." Reggie looked back at me meaningfully, maybe he chose not to take my earlier words to heart and refocused on the point. "I have more trust in Sera than all my business advisors combined."

Cal cleared his throat, his gentle eyes reflecting his concern. "I believe relationships should be built on mutual respect and understanding. It's not a game to be won."

"That's right, Cal" Reggie said. "That is why I will give you all time, especially for Sera."

"You make us sound like gladiators entertaining you for the last part of your life," Damon commented indifferently.

I gave Damon a tense look. "I hope you can watch your words." Although I was very, very disappointed with Reggie in this conversation, but I could not hear such words directed at him, except from my own mouth.

Unlike me, Reggie didn't seem to mind Damon's comment. "Well, it's indeed a matter of life and death, Damon."

"We don't even know each other yet." Beck sounded like he had just returned from his own world. "It's ... too fast."

"You have time. Use it wisely." Reggie took a sip of his wine, then cut another steak. Of all the people here, only Reggie still had an appetite.

"So, when ... will this competition start?" Ace asked confidently. I and the other Blackwood Brothers looked at the man in astonishment.

Reggie, as if he had guessed it, laughed subtly. "It's already started, Ace. Ever since you all sat down at this table." He returned to his four sons one by one. "In three days, my drivers will pick you up again. Until then, it's your chance to think and decide. If any of you don't come here, I'll consider it a withdrawal from this inheritance." And when Reggie's gaze fell on me, my heart throbbed. "That goes for you too, Sera."

I froze in place. As an adopted child, I had long felt like an outsider in the Blackwood family. And now, suddenly I was the key to the future of this dynasty?

SERA

This was the day Reggie had promised. Since a few hours ago, he'd actually sent four cars at different times to pick them up, the Blackwood Brothers. Betting my ass, Ace would definitely rise to the ridiculous challenge and come here in his CEO suit-err, his lawyer suit. As for the remaining three, I couldn't guarantee their arrival.

And me ... I couldn't say no, I probably didn't even have the courage to say no to Reggie's wishes. He's been very much a part of my life and I respect him immensely.

"Is there anybody you expected to show up today?"

I blinked, realizing I had been lost in my thoughts. "Wh-what?" I asked, coming back to reality and looking at Reggie. His thick book rested on his lap, his eyes behind his reading glasses looking at me attentively.

"You've been... staring out the window for minutes."

I closed the window curtains. "Don't talk nonsense. I'm not interested in them."

"None?" Reggie raised one eyebrow.

"Not a single one," I insisted, then walked over to him.

"Well, whereas I'm just proud that my sons are so fine looking," he said, shifting slightly to give me enough space.

"Oh my, what a proud dad you are," I sneered, then leaned my head on his big arm, floating a little because I didn't want to give him too much of a burden.

I often took the time to accompany Reggie to our home library on weekends, enjoying our time together as father and daughter. Reggie now has more free time than he did two years ago, after the disease began to consume his body.

Reggie giggled softly, which I could feel he was exerting quite a lot of energy to do so. After one long breath, he asked, "Have you made the decision to participate with them?"

"You ask as if I have a choice."

"You always have a choice, my dear."

Yes, but the choice he gave was ninety percent versus ten percent. Even a pig knows which one to choose.

I shifted uncomfortably in my seat, the weight of Reggie's expectations heavy on my shoulders. "How am I supposed to choose between them, Reggie? With eenie meenie miney mo?"

He chuckled softly. "I'll give you times. All of us will live here together, and they'll know what to do. They will be desperate to prove themselves to you, and when the times comes, you will know. Just believe in yourself like I do in you."

I let out a long breath.

He had been the only stable presence in my life, the one who had raised me with love and care when no one else would. The thought of disappointing him was unbearable.

"By the way, do you think all four of them will come?"

"Yes, without exception," Reggie replied confidently.

"Wanna bet?" I challenged. There was a possibility in the back of my mind that one of Beck or Damon-or maybe even both-wouldn't show up. Damon had shown too much dislike for this family-especially Reggie-during dinner that night. As for Beck, I guess he was still too naive to judge what was really going on.

"I know more about them, Sera. Whether they like it or not, they will come. Trust me, the Blackwood blood runs deep in them anyway."

"Why are you so sure?"

"We'll see."

I quickly straightened up, "That means we'll make a bet." I reached into my cardigan pocket as well as my pants pocket, searching for the contents, and finally collected a 100-dollar bill, three 50-dollar bills and some 5-dollar bills. "I bet at least one of them doesn't come," I said, placing the money on the short table in front of us. "Well, at least today."

Reggie grinned, it was the face he put on when doing business deals that would bring him huge profits. "I'll give you five times that amount of money if you win."

"Deal!" I said cheerfully.

"Looks like someone's coming," Reggie said, as I heard the sound of cars below.

I ran to the window and opened the curtains wide, seeing a black car coming. And when a tall man in a neat gray suit stepped out of the car, I grinned unconsciously. I knew it was Ace Vance who was the most excited about this inheritance battle.

"Who's there?" Reggie approached me.

"Your highly ambitious eldest son."

Reggie chuckled. "Not surprisingly, he's as ambitious as his mother."

I rolled my eyes and faced the window again. Reggie beside me seemed enthusiastic.

Moments later, two cars arrived in tandem. Two people each got out of it: one wearing a white shirt with rolled up sleeves and chino pants-Cal, while the one from the car behind him was a lean man in a loose plaid shirt with jeans-Beck, which made my forecast miss.

I heard a proud murmur from Reggie beside me as I watched them each being escorted by our house servant.

My heart beat faster with anxiety when the last car arrived. A man in a black shirt approached the stopped car, but refused to open the door as the driver engaged him in conversation. He then retreated to his spot again and the last car followed the other three.

"Ha! That punk don't come!" I taunted Reggie cheerfully, but his expression was undeterred. "You owe me atleast 1500 dollars!"

Reggie stopped me from closing the curtains. "Wait," he said. I gave him a questioning look, but Reggie's gaze was far away. His eyes narrowed, his forehead wrinkled. And when he started grinning, I turned to look out the window.

"Fuck," I cursed, unable to believe what I was seeing. Down below, a man in a black leather jacket and black pants was gliding like a superstar on his big motorcycle.

"Well ...." Reggie said. He folded my money-which he had taken from the table-and put it in his pocket. His grin grew wider when I squinted in annoyance. "Let's welcome those special guests, shall we?"

***

Having dinner together for the first time as a "family", Reggie used the historic moment to emphasize his rules. He required all of them to quit their respective jobs and get to know the Blackwood Group.

"You'll be undergoing specialized education in business and management, which I think is fair considering none of you have a business background," Reggie said, his voice was weak, but full of authority. His presence commanded attention, and even I found myself straightening up whenever he glanced in my direction. "I expect each one of you to dedicate yourselves fully to the Blackwood Group."

"I was wondering," Damon said in a tone full of irony, "how long did you think it would take to gather us here, Father?"

The room felt smaller with the growing tension. I recognized him for his courage-or perhaps his indifference.

I glanced at Reggie, hoping he would defuse the situation. Instead, the old man straightened up, ignoring Damon's taunts as if he'd never heard them. "On Monday, you'll start your business and management classes. I want you all to know everything about the Blackwood Group before I introduce you to the public as my heirs."

"The public?" Beck repeated with a surprised look. "You seriously want us to appear in front of the world like this? We don't even know anything about your company."

"That's why I said you will have a special class. "You all have time to learn." Reggie replied then glanced at me. His gaze softened, and there was a small smile there. "So, Sera, you don't have anything to do tomorrow, do you?"

"I actually intend to-"

"That means no activities," Reggie cut in, I glared. "Tomorrow it's your job to accompany them and start introducing Blackwood to them." Reggie rose from his chair. "Well, perhaps we could start with a tour of the Blackwood Estate. And... you're at liberty to choose to guide whoever you want."

I cursed inwardly when Reggie gave me a wink before leaving the dining table. My gaze shifted to look at their faces.

I think I just want to die.