Chapter 3
When I returned to the Williams house, Marcus was sitting alone on the front steps.
His white button-down shirt was wrinkled.
His shoulders were slumped.
And for the first time since I'd met him, he looked completely defeated.
I parked the Lamborghini and walked toward him.
He stood immediately.
"Nia."
I didn't say anything.
I simply wrapped my arms around him.
He held me tightly.
For a moment, neither of us moved.
Then he whispered, "I'm sorry."
I pulled back.
"Stop apologizing for other people's behavior."
He shook his head.
"They're my family."
I looked into his eyes.
"And you're responsible for your own choices. Not theirs."
His expression softened.
Then he glanced toward my car.
He laughed weakly.
"I guess I should've asked what you drove."
I smiled.
"I would've told you."
He shook his head.
"I had no idea."
I touched his cheek.
"Would it have changed anything?"
He looked offended.
"No."
"Then that's why I waited."
He pulled me close again.
"I love you."
My heart stopped.
He had never said those words before.
Not directly.
We had danced around them for months.
Through small gestures.
Quiet nights.
Unexpected phone calls.
But never aloud.
I stared at him.
"Marcus..."
He looked nervous.
"I'm sorry. Bad timing."
I shook my head.
"No."
Then I smiled through my tears.
"I love you too."
He kissed my forehead.
For one beautiful moment, the problems surrounding us disappeared.
Then the front door opened.
Diane stood there.
Her expression changed when she saw me.
"Oh."
Vanessa appeared behind her.
She looked past me toward the Lamborghini.
Her eyes widened.
"Nia?"
I straightened.
"Good evening."
Diane forced a smile.
"Well, this is unexpected."
Marcus stepped beside me.
"Mom, we're leaving."
She ignored him.
"Nia, dear, I think there was a misunderstanding earlier."
I stared at her.
"A misunderstanding?"
She smiled nervously.
"Yes. We didn't realize—"
I raised an eyebrow.
"Didn't realize what?"
She stopped.
Vanessa stepped forward.
"Your car is gorgeous."
I looked at her.
"Thank you."
She laughed awkwardly.
"Marcus never mentioned you were doing so well."
I felt something cold settle inside me.
A few hours earlier, she had mocked my clothes.
Now she wanted to compliment my car.
I took a breath.
"My car hasn't changed since dinner."
Vanessa's smile disappeared.
I continued.
"Neither have I."
Diane cleared her throat.
"Let's not be dramatic."
Marcus stepped forward.
"Mom, you pushed her handbag into her chest."
Diane frowned.
"I barely touched it."
"You humiliated her."
She folded her arms.
"I was protecting you."
He shook his head.
"From what?"
Diane glanced at me.
Then looked away.
I could see her struggling to find an answer.
Vanessa suddenly smiled.
"Why don't we all come inside and start over?"
I looked at Marcus.
He looked exhausted.
I shook my head.
"Not tonight."
Diane's expression tightened.
"Well, that's a little rude."
I almost laughed.
Instead, I said quietly, "Good manners aren't something you get to demand only after discovering someone has money."
Marcus took my hand.
"Let's go."
We turned toward the driveway.
Then a man's voice called from inside.
"Marcus?"
We stopped.
Robert Williams appeared in the doorway.
He was a tall Black man in his early sixties with gray at his temples.
He wore a dark sweater and looked tired.
His eyes moved from Marcus to me.
"What's going on?"
Diane spoke quickly.
"Nothing, Robert."
Marcus turned.
"Dad, we need to talk."
Robert frowned.
"About what?"
Marcus looked at me.
I nodded.
Then he faced his father.
"About the company."
Diane went pale.
Vanessa's expression changed instantly.
Robert sighed.
"Not this again."
Marcus stepped forward.
"Dad, please."
Robert shook his head.
"We've been over this."
"No, we haven't."
I watched Marcus straighten his shoulders.
He looked different.
Not angry.
Determined.
He continued.
"I have evidence that my shares were transferred without my consent."
Diane stepped forward.
"Marcus, don't embarrass us in front of your girlfriend."
I felt my jaw tighten.
Robert looked at me.
"I'm sorry you're being dragged into family business."
I took a breath.
"Mr. Williams, I think I may already be involved."
He frowned.
"What do you mean?"
I looked toward Diane.
Her expression hardened.
Then I faced Robert.
"My company is negotiating to purchase Williams Development Group."
Silence.
Robert stared at me.
"What company?"
"Carter Capital Holdings."
His mouth fell open.
Diane grabbed the doorframe.
Vanessa whispered, "No."
I continued.
"I'm Nia Carter."
Robert's eyes widened.
He looked at Marcus.
Then back at me.
"The CEO?"
I nodded.
"Yes."
For several seconds, nobody moved.
Then Robert laughed in disbelief.
"Well, I'll be..."
He stepped forward.
"Miss Carter, I've heard wonderful things about your firm."
I smiled politely.
"Thank you."
Diane suddenly moved beside him.
"Robert, perhaps we should invite Nia inside."
I stared at her.
A few hours earlier, she had made it clear I didn't belong.
Now she wanted me at her table.
Marcus looked at his mother.
"Why?"
She blinked.
"What?"
"Why do you suddenly want her inside?"
Diane's cheeks reddened.
"Because she's your girlfriend."
Marcus shook his head.
"She was my girlfriend at dinner too."
Robert looked confused.
"What happened at dinner?"
Nobody answered.
I could see Diane trying to calculate her next move.
Then Vanessa laughed nervously.
"We just got off on the wrong foot."
I looked at her.
"No. You decided who I was before learning anything about me."
Her smile vanished.
Robert turned toward Diane.
"What did you say to her?"
Diane waved her hand.
"Robert, this isn't necessary."
He frowned.
"Diane."
Marcus spoke quietly.
"Mom told Nia she didn't belong with our family."
Robert stared at his wife.
Vanessa looked away.
Marcus continued.
"Vanessa laughed at her clothes."
Robert's expression hardened.
"Is that true?"
Diane crossed her arms.
"She wasn't exactly dressed for a formal introduction."
I looked at my beige sweater.
Then back at her.
"I didn't know dignity required a dress code."
Robert closed his eyes.
For a moment, he looked deeply embarrassed.
Then he turned toward me.
"Miss Carter, I apologize."
I nodded.
"Thank you."
He continued.
"I hope you'll understand that their behavior doesn't represent everyone in this family."
I looked at Marcus.
"I know."
Robert studied us.
Then his expression became serious.
"Marcus, you mentioned company documents."
Marcus nodded.
"I have them."
Robert sighed.
"Bring them tomorrow."
Diane immediately stepped forward.
"Robert, that's unnecessary."
He turned.
"Why?"
She hesitated.
"Because we've already resolved everything."
Robert looked at her.
"Then you shouldn't mind reviewing the records."
Her face went pale.
For the first time, I saw genuine fear in Diane's eyes.
Robert turned toward me.
"Miss Carter, would your company be willing to postpone the acquisition meeting until we review the ownership issue?"
I nodded.
"I've already paused the transaction."
Relief crossed his face.
"Thank you."
Then he said something I didn't expect.
"Marcus, I owe you an apology too."
Marcus looked stunned.
"Dad?"
Robert's voice cracked.
"I should've listened when you first raised concerns."
For a moment, father and son simply stared at each other.
Then Marcus nodded.
"There's still time."
We left together.
As I drove away, Marcus sat quietly beside me.
I reached for his hand.
"You okay?"
He looked at me.
"Honestly?"
I nodded.
"No."
I squeezed his fingers.
"But I'm glad you came back."
I smiled.
"Me too."
Then his phone rang.
A message from his father.
Marcus read it.
His expression changed.
"What?" I asked.
He turned the screen toward me.
The message said:
MARCUS, DON'T TELL YOUR MOTHER.
I FOUND THE ORIGINAL SHAREHOLDER AGREEMENT.
YOUR SIGNATURE WASN'T THE ONLY ONE FORGED.
I stared at the screen.
Then a second message arrived.
SOMEONE HAS BEEN USING MY NAME TO BORROW MONEY.
AND I THINK YOUR SISTER IS PLANNING TO LEAVE THE COUNTRY.
My stomach dropped.
May you like
The family dinner had exposed far more than prejudice.
It had opened the door to a betrayal that could destroy the entire Williams family.
