THE SECOND WIFE OF A BILLIONAIRE

Isla Evans adjusted her glasses on her nose and stared again at the document in front of her. A will. Her grandparents' will. She couldn't believe what she was reading. Surprise tightened in her throat, mixed with a pang of panic that she tried desperately to suppress. All her life, she had believed that her grandparents were modest, that they had lived simply. Yet these printed pages, with their complex but undeniably clear legal terms, told a different story.

She raised her head and met the gaze of the notary, a man in his fifties, with a dry face and measured gestures. He seemed to be waiting for a reaction. But what could she say? How do you react when you learn that the life you thought you knew was only an illusion?

"So, if I understand correctly... They were... rich?" His voice betrayed his disbelief.

The notary gave a slight smile, one of those professional but slightly condescending smiles. "Very wealthy, Miss Evans. Your grandparents were the owners of a major real estate company, *Blake Holdings*, and had a portfolio of assets worth several billion."

She ran a hand through her hair, trying to process the information. It seemed unreal, like a bad joke. "And why didn't they ever tell me? Why didn't they ever... include me in all of this?"

The man shrugged slightly. "Maybe they wanted to protect you. Or maybe they were waiting for the right moment. What I can tell you is that you are now their sole heir."

She leaned back heavily in her chair, her mind whirling. Heiress. That was the last word she would have used to describe herself. Isla Evans, a mere administrative assistant at a small design agency, was now the owner of a colossal fortune. It could have been a fairy tale, except there was one problem. A huge problem.

"And this... condition?" she asked, her brow furrowed. "You mentioned a condition."

The notary nodded, placing his clasped hands on the desk. "Yes. In order to access the full inheritance, you must work for *Blake Holdings* for one year. Specifically, you must work directly with Damian Blake, the current CEO."

Isla frowned. The name was familiar to her. Damian Blake. She'd seen him in the media before. A real estate mogul, known for his coldness and ruthless determination. He was also terribly handsome, in an intimidating way. But that was all she knew about him. Why would her grandparents want her to work for him?

"What if I refuse?" she whispered, already aware of the answer.

The notary took a deep breath. "In that case, the inheritance will go to charities selected by your grandparents. You will receive nothing."

Nothing. Isla felt her heart clench. It wasn't that she wanted the billions-she had never dreamed of wealth or luxury. But it was a part of her history, her identity. A business built by the hands of her grandparents. Could she really let it all disappear? And why this condition, so specific? She bit her lip, hesitant.

"What if I'm not... qualified? I don't know anything about real estate. I'm... a complete novice."

The notary inclined his head slightly. "That is a decision that only you can make, Miss Evans. But if I may, your grandparents had faith in you. They believed in your ability to meet this challenge."

Isla took a deep breath, her thoughts a jumble. Working for Damian Blake. It was only a year, right? A year of her life to honor her grandparents' memory and ensure their legacy remained intact. It seemed doable... in theory.