Chapter 12
Arriving at Blackwell Incorporation, Blake headed straight for Noah's office. Before entering, he overheard a conversation. Noah stated, "Jane, I've always said you spoil Adam too much. That's why he grew up so wayward, happy-go-lucky, devil-may-care."
"You can't blame me for that. Am I wrong for giving too much care to your son, even though I'm not his biological mother?" Jane answered.
"It's not like that. Well, let's stop this conversation before it starts a fight. I'm tired of this."
When the conversation died down, Blake decided to enter the office. There he met Jane Jones, Adam's stepmother, who, among others, was oblivious that he was not the real Adam.
As Blake arrived, Jane immediately ordered someone to bring him clothes Adam preferred. Blake learned that Adam hated business suits, preferring sophisticated, rugged clothes and noticeable jewelry.
Noah subtly hinted for Blake to read his sent messages. In the text, he instructed Blake to simply follow Jane's orders and call her "Mom." According to him, Jane always insisted Adam call her "Mommy," even though she wasn't his biological mother. He also needed to act rebellious as Adam always did.
As the clothes arrived, Jane directed Blake to change. Afterward, Blake stared at his reflection in the mirror, barely recognizing himself. "Adam?" he whispered, feeling awkward and doubtful.
Jane's voice snapped him back to reality. "What's wrong with you?" she asked. "Why are you acting like that? You can't, especially in front of other people!" she demanded.
"You can't blame me! I... you know... still have amnesia," Blake said, feeling nervous under Jane's observation. Is she doubting I'm not Adam? he wondered.
"Adam, compose yourself, please. We're about to go out and meet people in this building. Show them you've really returned,” Jane instructed him.
"Fine!" Blake retorted, adopting a rebellious tone. "As if you're ashamed of me!"
"I'm saying you need to behave appropriately."
"I know!" Blake stamped his foot to make it more believable.
Noah nodded and gave him a thumbs up. A tense silence filled the room as Jane watched Blake adjust his jewelry, a plan forming in her mind. She would have to arrange a psychiatric evaluation for Adam. She couldn't allow Adam's condition, this amnesia, to bring shame to the family. She felt the need to protect the Blackwells from societal judgment.
Jane broke the silence. "Let's go visit every department. People need to see you've returned. And we'll invite them to the upcoming wedding."
Noah signaled Blake to obey Jane. As they toured, he noticed Mr. White's daughter, one of the garbage collectors who always bullied him at work, working as a cleaner at that establishment. Sarah White stared at him with what he thought was recognition, and fear gripped him. Sarah was so talkative that if she recognized him, his secret would spread like wildfire, and he was done! Everything would be ruined. He felt relieved when Sarah told her co-workers that she couldn’t help but stare at “Sir Adam” because of his handsomeness. Blake subtly exhaled, his nervousness easing.
After the tiring tour, Jane led Blake back to Noah’s office, pushed him to a desk, and dumped a pile of paperwork on him. “You have to learn all this.” Blake pretended to struggle with the documents, showing he increasingly felt inadequate. He blurted out, “I don't even fit as Astrid's future husband,” the words seemingly slipping out. "I want to back out of that arranged marriage. I can't do this!"
He was pretending, but the truth was he surprisingly understood the documents despite his lack of formal education. He loved numbers and had been a consistent honor student in elementary school, but couldn’t continue his studies after his mother died. The knowledge he'd acquired from discarded books and educational materials at the dumpster where he worked helped him think. Many said he was highly intelligent, just lacking the proper education or diploma for a better job.
Jane's eyes flashed with anger. Grabbing Blake's face, she squeezed hard. "Idiot! Do you want your father's family to be embarrassed?"
Releasing Blake, Jane sat back, watching as Blake's eyes squinted, mimicking Adam’s mannerisms. "Why are you all insisting on things I don't want to do?" Blake hissed, his voice echoing in the room.
Noah watched silently, a subtle smile playing on his lips. Why do I remember Aleksa at Blake with that line? He sighed.
"It's your destiny, Adam. You need to face who you really are. You're Adam Blackwell, and nothing can erase that fact." She shoved the folders closer. "Learn all that! Or we won't give you money to support your parasites, Casey!"
Blake feigned shock. "You can’t be serious, Mom?" he forced a smile.
"If you want to live a good life, then never say again that you don't want to marry Astrid. Do you understand?"
Blake answered, showing agreement but not completely, "Okay. Alright. I'll do everything, even though I dislike Astrid…"
A sharp slap silenced Blake. "How many times have I told you to at least respect Astrid?"
Blake clutched his stinging cheek. "Fine! Whatever…" Tsk. That slap hit hard.
"Say that again! I will convince your grandfather not to give you money if you just spend it on Casey!"
"Then go!" He felt trapped, his heart pounding. How can I act believable about Casey? I didn't like her from the day I saw her. I like Astrid, and it's hard to act like I don't like her.
"As long as you are willing to fulfill your obligation to our family, we can negotiate."
“Fine! I will marry Astrid,” Blake said, his voice firm. That's easier to say than uttering I don't like her. "Huh." He blew out air, feeling a bit relieved.
“Not only marry Astrid, but you need to make her happy. Stop pushing her away,” Jane warned, her words laced with a subtle threat.
“Fine!” Blake confirmed. Ridiculous. How can I push her away? I can’t stop myself from liking her.
He started to pick up the folder when Jane's voice cut through his thoughts. “Fix yourself.” Blake looked up, seeing Jane retouching her makeup. “We're having lunch at a nearby restaurant.”
“Okay,” Blake replied, putting the folders aside. He silently wished for the day turned into night so that he could fall asleep and forget this impersonation for a while.
They left for lunch, Noah driving to a nearby restaurant. As they entered, Blake noticed Astrid dining with a handsome man who appeared to be his age. They were talking animatedly, and Astrid was genuinely smiling. His heart hammered against his ribs. He pretended not to notice, though his eyes squinted in annoyance.
Noah subtly spoke to him while Jane chose a table. “You don’t have to pretend to be jealous. He is Astrid's brother, another illegitimate son of Ethan, close to Astrid. Ethan is a womanizer."
Blake nodded, “Oh, alright.” Blake felt relieved. I’m not faking jealousy. I think I’m falling for Astrid.
Jane chose a table near Astrid and her brother when she spotted them. She greeted them, and Noah did as well. Blake just smiled. Astrid frowned at him while blushing, perhaps remembering the kiss. Blake took a seat, his eyes lingering on Astrid.
Jane was surprised at Blake's behavior because Adam didn't act like that with Astrid. He would immediately frown or embarrass her. Thinking he might be listening to her this time, she felt glad and signaled a waiter to take their orders.
Back in the office, after Jane leaves to attend a meeting, Noah explains the whole situation to Blake so that he can act accordingly and avoid being caught.
Blake quickly discovered that Adam knew next to nothing about the business. His grandfather, Henry Blackwell, is always disappointed in Adam's lack of business skills. Despite that, Adam's father, Noah, still hopes his son can succeed him as CEO after he takes over from Henry. However, Noah doubts Adam's capabilities, as Adam had only finished his studies because they'd essentially bought his diploma; he excelled at sports, but not academics. Noah is almost convinced the position isn't for Adam. Even after Adam inherited the position from him, it would likely go to his cousins if Adam failed to fulfill his responsibilities; he would likely be replaced, but Noah still holds onto hope.
Noah's wife, Jane, suggests Adam volunteer for an arranged marriage with the Moore family. None of Noah's siblings want their sons to marry Astrid Moore, Ethan Moore's illegitimate daughter, because they look down on her. However, Jane knows Astrid's business capabilities and believes she can help Adam acquire the CEO position. Astrid would effectively run the corporation under Adam's name. Even at a young age, Astrid seemed adept at running a business, and Jane believed Adam could use her as the "wind beneath his wings" to secure the position in the future. Jane, however, saw what Astrid could do that others couldn't, believing she inherited her mother’s business acumen. Astrid's mother, Lily Collins, had been Jane's best friend, who helped her save their parents' business from bankruptcy, and seeing Astrid reminded Jane of Lily.
By volunteering Adam for this arranged marriage, which is crucial for the alliance of the two families' business empires, Noah gains an advantage over his siblings. This symbolizes the true union between the businesses, and Henry is grateful, reinforcing his decision to choose Noah as his successor when he steps down.