Chapter 215: Chapter 216: Dinner With Damien’s Grandfather
ARIA’S POV
The Blackwood estate in the Hamptons was exactly what Aria had expected....massive, elegant, intimidating in the way that old money always was. She’d been here once before, briefly, but tonight felt different. Tonight was a formal dinner, a proper introduction to Richard Blackwood as Damien’s girlfriend rather than just the woman he’d mentioned in passing.
She smoothed down her dress...a simple but elegant navy blue sheath that Damien had assured her was perfect....and took a deep breath.
"You’re nervous," Damien observed, his hand warm on her lower back as they approached the main entrance.
"I’m meeting your grandfather properly for the first time. Of course I’m nervous." Aria looked up at him. "What if he hates me?"
"He won’t hate you. He already knows everything Aria, If he was going to have a problem with you, he would have said so months ago."
"That’s not as reassuring as you think it is."
Damien smiled and kissed her forehead. "He’s going to love you. Trust me."
The door opened before they could knock, and a distinguished older butler greeted them with a slight bow. "Young Master. Miss Chen. Then he looked at Damien. Your grandfather is expecting you in the drawing room."
They followed him through halls that spoke of generations of wealth and power. Original artwork on the walls, antique furniture that was probably worth more than most people’s houses, the kind of understated elegance that only came from never having to prove anything.
Richard Blackwood stood as they entered....a tall man in his mid-seventies, still commanding despite his age, with sharp eyes that assessed Aria in a single glance.
"Grandfather," Damien said, moving forward to embrace him."
"Damien." Richard returned the embrace, then turned his full attention to Aria. "And you must be the infamous Aria Chen. I’ve heard a great deal about you."
Aria extended her hand. "Mr. Blackwood. It’s an honor to finally meet you properly."
Richard took her hand, but instead of shaking it, he held it gently and studied her face with those sharp eyes. ’’ The first time i saw you at that event, i didn’t get to look at you properly, But looking at you now, "You’re younger than I expected. And you have kind eyes....that’s good. Damien needs someone with kind eyes to balance out his ruthless nature."
Despite her nerves, Aria smiled. "I’m not sure how kind they are. I did infiltrate your grandson’s home and steal from him."
"Yes, you did. And then you used what you stole to save your mother’s life." Richard released her hand. "That takes courage and intelligence. Two qualities I value highly. Please, sit. Dinner will be ready shortly, but I wanted a chance to speak with you both first."
They settled into the elegant furniture, and a servant appeared with drinks....whiskey for the men, wine for Aria.
"So," Richard said, settling back in his chair. "Tell me about your return to medicine. Damien mentioned you’re at Mont Senai now."
Aria relaxed slightly as she talked about her work, about her patients, about how much she loved being back in medicine. Richard listened attentively, asking intelligent questions, clearly understanding the medical terminology.
"Your mother must be proud," Richard said. "Mei, isn’t it? How is she doing? I understand she made a full recovery from Neufeld-Zhao Syndrome....something that’s medically unprecedented."
"She’s doing wonderfully. Completely healthy." Aria smiled. "She’s actually been asking to meet you properly, to thank you for....for everything your family has done for us."
"I’d be delighted to meet her. Any woman who raised a daughter like you deserves respect." Richard took a sip of his whiskey. "Though I have to say, I’ve been hearing some interesting rumors lately."
Damien’s posture shifted almost imperceptibly. "What kind of rumors?"
"About a very powerful man asking questions about Aria. Making inquiries through certain channels about her background, her current situation, her relationship with you." Richard’s eyes moved between them. "I don’t know who yet....my sources are still tracking that down....but someone with significant resources is very interested in Miss Chen."
Aria and Damien exchanged glances.
"That would be my father," Aria said quietly. "My biological father. He found us recently after twenty-five years."
Richard’s eyebrows rose. "Your father. I wasn’t aware you had contact with your father."
"I didn’t. Not until a few weeks ago." Aria summarized the situation....the flowers, the messages, the surveillance, the meeting at Alinea. She watched Richard’s expression shift from curiosity to concern as she revealed who her father was.
"Alexander Wei," Richard repeated slowly. "You’re telling me that your biological father is Alexander Wei? The Alexander Wei who runs Wei International Development?"
"Yes. Do you know him?"
Richard laughed....a short, sharp sound without much humor. "Know him? My dear, I’ve done business with Alexander Wei for thirty years. He’s brilliant, ruthless, and absolutely not to be trifled with." He looked at Damien. "You know this, I assume?"
"I’m aware of who he is, yes."
"And you’re comfortable with him being in Aria’s life?"
"I’m comfortable with Aria making her own decisions about who she wants in her life," Damien said carefully.
Richard studied his grandson for a moment, then nodded approvingly. "Good answer. Though I hope you’re prepared for the complications this will bring."
"What kind of complications?" Aria asked.
"Alexander Wei doesn’t do anything by halves. If he’s decided he wants a relationship with you, he’ll pursue that with the same intensity he brings to everything else in his life." Richard set down his glass. "He’s not a bad man...let me be clear about that. But he’s an overwhelming one. And he’s been known to be... possessive about things and people he considers his."
"My mother warned me about that," Aria said quietly.
"Your mother was wise to run when she did, then. Alexander twenty-five years ago was even more intense than he is now. Still learning to channel that intensity into business rather than personal control." Richard paused. "But I’d be lying if I said he hasn’t changed. The Alexander I know now is more measured, more strategic. Still obsessive, but he’s learned to manage it better."
Dinner was announced, and they moved to the formal dining room. The meal was exquisite.....multiple courses, each perfectly prepared, served with wines that probably cost more than Aria’s monthly salary.
The conversation flowed easily. Richard asked about Damien’s recent business dealings, shared stories about the Blackwood family history, and generally made Aria feel welcome in a way she hadn’t entirely expected.
It wasn’t until after dessert that Richard turned to Damien with a more serious expression.
"Damien, a word in my study before you leave?"
"Of course, Grandfather."
Richard stood and smiled at Aria. "My dear, please make yourself comfortable in the library. This won’t take long."
Aria nodded and allowed herself to be shown to the library while Damien followed Richard down a different corridor.
