Marrying My Father’s Enemy

Chapter 17: Family Matters

A man slipped into a black car, pulling off his mask to reveal a sharp-featured face and piercing dark eyes.

 In his hands, he held a small bag with a few strands of hair and a blood-stained swab.

A second man sat in the back passenger seat and watched him. "You got it?"

"Yes. It's hers."

"Give it to me now."

"What's all this for?" the man asked, glancing at him.

The man's voice was deep, yet young. "To confirm if she's my sister," he said simply, placing the items in a sealed container. 

He didn't elaborate, just gave a firm nod, and the driver pulled away from the hospital, driving through winding roads that led toward the distant silhouette of Blackwood Mansion.

They arrived minutes later. The tall iron gates opened automatically, and the car pulled into the dimly lit driveway. 

The man stepped out, taking a breath before walking inside. He crossed the grand hall, not stopping until he heard the sound of someone sobbing. 

He followed the sound, his lips forming into a smirk as he turned the corner to find Vanesa, hunched over and crying for most likely no reason again.

She didn't notice him at first, but when she looked up, her expression shifted immediately: brows furrowed, mouth frowned, gaze darkened. "You!" she spat, standing up, her hands clenched into fists. "What are you doing here, Liam? How dare you show your face?"

Liam chuckled, stepping closer. "Nice to see you too, Vanesa. Still throwing tantrums like a spoiled little brat, I see."

"Shut up!" she hissed. "You don't belong here. You were cast out years ago. Just leave and don't come back!"

"Cast out?" He raised an eyebrow, looking her up and down with a mocking smile. "That's funny. I didn't realise a family could throw out its own blood so easily. But maybe I'm back to take what's mine."

Vanesa's voice rose. "You don't have anything here! Everything belongs to me. I'm the rightful heir!"

"Rightful heir?" he laughed with a cold edge to his tone. "And what makes you think you deserve any of it? Because Daddy says so?"

Vanesa lunged forward, trying to slap him, but he caught her wrist mid-air, squeezing just enough to make her wince. "Temper, temper, little sister," he said quietly. "Try to act like a lady."

She wrenched her arm free, eyes burning like hot lava. "You'll never be part of this family again. Go rot somewhere else!"

Liam's smile faded as he straightened. "Maybe that's for our father to decide." 

And with that, he walked past her, ignoring her shouts as he made his way down the hall to the large mahogany door leading to his father's study.

Inside, Henry sat at his desk, looking over papers, clearly not expecting anyone. 

When he looked up, he closed his eyes and opened them again, raising his eyebrows as surprise went across his face.

"Liam," Henry said coolly, setting his papers aside. "What a rare visit. What are you doing here?"

Liam stepped further into the room, standing tall. "I'm here to get my name back," he replied.

Henry laughed, leaning back in his chair. "Your name? Liam, don't make me laugh. Whatever you thought you had here belongs to Vanesa now. That was always the plan. You know this."

"Funny you should say that, Father," he said in a low tone. "Whose money are we talking about—Vanesa's or Eira's?"

The room went still, and Henry's nose frowned, so did his lips. He was angry to hear this name again. "What did you just say?"

"You heard me." Liam stepped closer, unflinching, with zero intimidation from Henry. "Eira. The money this family hoards—is it really ours? Or does it belong to her family?"

Henry stood up and slammed the desk with his fist. "Don't you dare bring up that name here," he growled, barely able to contain his emotions. "You're walking a fine line, Liam."

Liam held his ground. "Maybe, but I'm not the one living off someone else's fortune, am I?"

Henry's hand shot out, and he slapped Liam hard across the face. "You know nothing!" he hissed, in a shaking voice. "This family is mine to control. Vanesa is my chosen heir, not you. You're nothing but a ghost, a mistake."

Liam's face stung, but he stayed calm. "If you think that will make me leave, you're wrong. I'm here to stay, Father," he said quietly. "And I'll find out the truth, whether you like it or not."

Henry's fists clenched, his jaw tightened again. "Get out of my sight," he commanded.

Liam turned, walking away without another word, but that was the time when Beatrice came.

"Oh, perfect! Another bastard!" she mocked Liam.

"Another?" He turned around to look at Henry. "So there's another one? Let me guess, Eira?"

Without a second thought, Beatrice slapped Liam's cheek.

"Damn… this family really doesn't know how to control their emotions, do you guys?" 

He wiped the blood with his tongue from his cheek. "And my teeth are now red? Damn, Beatrice, are you learning kung-fu?"

"Shut up, you insolent nobody! How dare you show up here and make Vanesa cry?" Beatrice demanded answers.

"Me? Made her cry?" A small laugh escaped his lips. "That freak would cry for no reason. I was just passing by—"

Another slap came from Beatrice.

"Leave my house or I will call the police, Liam."

Liam didn't say anything, just looked at his father. "See? This happens when someone without money starts forgetting where she came from."

"Liam!" Henry shouted.

"Relax, Father…" Liam looked up and down at Beatrice. "You can't expect me not to love my stepmother, can you? After all, she was the one who tried to poison me."

And as he stated that, another slap welcomed his right cheek.

"How dare you accuse me of something I've never done? How dare you enter my house without permission and cause a scene here? Was the money we gave you to back off not enough? Huh?!"

"I'm sorry, but no…"

"No?! It wasn't enough?!"

"It wasn't enough to make me forget you tried to kill me, Beatrice…"