Chapter 6 A Dangerous Proposition

• Emma’s POV
• The knock at the door sent a chill through me. Grace and I exchanged a wary glance. It was almost midnight—who could possibly be visiting at this hour? My heart pounded in my chest.
• “Stay here,” Grace whispered, rising to her feet. She moved toward the door cautiously, peering through the peephole before exhaling sharply. “It’s your uncle.”
• Maxwell Langford.
• I felt my stomach tighten. The man I barely knew. The man my mother never spoke about. What did he want from me now?
• Grace hesitated before unlocking the door. The moment she pulled it open, Maxwell stepped inside without invitation, his presence filling the small townhouse. He was tall, broad-shouldered, with sharp features and an air of confidence that reeked of power. His tailored black suit was pristine, and his cologne was expensive—but there was something unsettling about him.
• “Emma,” he greeted smoothly, his dark eyes assessing me like I was an investment.
• I crossed my arms. “What are you doing here?”
• Maxwell chuckled, unbothered by my cold tone. “Straight to the point. Good. That’s what I like to see in Langford .”
• “I’m not Langford,” I shot back.
• His smirk deepened. “Oh, but you are. Whether you like it or not.”
• Grace stepped protectively beside me. “Maxwell, it’s late. What do you want?”
• Maxwell’s gaze flicked to her, but he ignored the question. Instead, he turned back to me. “I came to discuss your future, Emma.”
• I stiffened. “My future?”
• He took a slow step forward, his voice dropping to a conspiratorial tone. “You’re the rightful heir to the Langford fortune, Emma. But claiming it isn’t as simple as signing some papers. There are… expectations.”
• I clenched my fists. “Expectations?”
• “You’ll have responsibilities, obligations to the family.” He studied me. “For starters, you’ll need to step into the right social circles, align yourself with the right people.”
• The way he said it made my skin crawl.
• “Let me guess,” I scoffed. “Marry someone you approve of?”
• Maxwell smiled, but there was no warmth in it. “That wouldn’t be the worst idea. A woman in your position needs stability. Power. A partner who understands the world you’re stepping into.” His gaze darkened. “Lucas Ashford is a liability.”
• My heart stopped.
• Grace’s expression hardened. “That’s not your decision to make.”
• Maxwell ignored her. “Emma, Lucas may seem like a charming billionaire, but his family is no better than vultures. His engagement to Charlotte may be a ‘business arrangement,’ but that doesn’t mean he’s free to be with you.”
• I swallowed hard. “And why do you care?”
• Maxwell took another step toward me, his voice low and menacing. “Because the Langford legacy is bigger than your personal affairs. And I won’t let an outsider—especially a man with his own agenda—get in the way.”
• Anger bubbled inside me. “You don’t get to control my life.”
• His smirk didn’t waver. “Don’t I?”
• A shiver ran down my spine.
• “You have two choices, Emma,” Maxwell continued. “Join the Langford family, embrace the wealth and protection we offer, or walk away and make an enemy of us.”
• I felt Grace stiffen beside me.
• Maxwell stepped even closer, his voice dropping to a whisper. “Think about your children. Can you really afford to turn down the power that comes with being a Langford?”
• The weight of his words pressed down on me.
• Power. Protection. Or war.
• I wanted to scream that I didn’t need him. That I could raise my children on my own. But the truth was, my life had already spiraled out of control. My stepmother, Audrey, Lucas’s engagement, and now this?
• Maxwell gave me one last smirk before turning toward the door. “I’ll give you time to think. But don’t take too long, Emma. The world isn’t kind to those without allies.”
• And just like that, he was gone.
• The silence was deafening.
• Grace exhaled sharply, rubbing her temples. “That man is dangerous.”
• “No kidding,” I muttered, sinking onto the couch. My hands trembled as I rubbed my temples.
• “What are you going to do?” she asked softly.
• I didn’t have an answer.
• ---
• Lucas’s POV
• The moment Maxwell left Emma’s townhouse, I knew I had to act fast. I had parked my car across the street, waiting, watching. Now, as Maxwell slipped into his sleek black car, I made my move.
• I yanked open the door and slid into the passenger seat beside him.
• Maxwell barely looked surprised. “Lucas,” he greeted, amused. “To what do I owe the pleasure?”
• I clenched my jaw. “Stay away from Emma.”
• Maxwell chuckled. “You’re bold. I’ll give you that.”
• “I’m not playing games,” I growled. “You don’t control her.”
• Maxwell smirked. “Oh, but you think you do?”
• I gritted my teeth. “I care about her.”
• Maxwell’s amusement faded, and his voice turned cold. “Then you should want what’s best for her. And trust me, Lucas, that’s not you.”
• My hands balled into fists. “She deserves to make her own choices.”
• Maxwell leaned closer, his smirk returning. “She will. But I’ll make sure she chooses wisely.”
• I exhaled sharply. “What’s your real game, Maxwell?”
• Maxwell tilted his head. “You think this is a game?” He leaned in, voice dropping. “Emma is stepping into a world far bigger than she realizes. And if she doesn’t have the right people by her side, she’ll be eaten alive.”
• My muscles tensed. “And you think you’re the ‘right people’?”
• Maxwell’s smirk grew. “I know I am.”
• I narrowed my eyes. “You want control over her inheritance.”
• Maxwell didn’t even flinch. “And you want control over her.”
• My jaw clenched.
• Maxwell chuckled. “Tell me, Lucas… does she even know the truth about you?”
• I froze.
• Maxwell’s smirk widened. “Ah. She doesn’t, does she?” He leaned back, looking victorious. “Secrets have a way of destroying people, Lucas. You should know that better than anyone.”
• I had the sudden urge to punch him.
• Instead, I took a steady breath and stepped out of the car. But before I could slam the door, Maxwell called after me.
• “Better decide where you stand, Lucas.” His voice was taunting, but there was something dangerous lurking beneath it. “Because if you don’t, someone else will make that decision for you.”
• I didn’t respond.
• I just walked away, my mind racing.
• Because Maxwell was right about one thing.
• Secrets do destroy people.
• And if Emma found out mine…
• I might lose her forever.