CHAPTER 10
CHAPTER 10
THE WAR OF BLACKWOOD
There was a moment when Adrian Blackwood stopped being a businessman.
A moment when negotiations ended.
A moment when patience disappeared.
That moment came when someone tried to take his son.
For years, Adrian had built an empire through intelligence.
Through strategy.
Through knowing when to attack and when to wait.
People feared him because he was controlled.
Because he never acted without thinking.
Because he always had a plan.
But now…
The enemy had crossed a line.
And Adrian Blackwood no longer cared about winning a business war.
He cared about protecting his family.
The Blackwood mansion became a fortress.
Security surrounded every entrance.
Every employee was checked.
Every camera was monitored.
Nobody entered.
Nobody left.
Marcus stood in the security room watching dozens of screens.
"The city is talking."
Adrian looked at him.
"About what?"
"The rumors."
Adrian's expression remained cold.
"Let them talk."
Marcus hesitated.
"They are saying the Blackwood family is divided."
A pause.
"They think Victoria has weakened you."
Adrian looked at the screens.
At his mansion.
At the home he built.
At the place where his wife and son should have always been safe.
"Good."
Marcus looked confused.
"Good?"
Adrian nodded.
"Let them believe we are weak."
A dangerous calm appeared.
"People reveal themselves when they think they have already won."
Meanwhile, Victoria Laurent believed exactly that.
She sat in her private office surrounded by news reports.
Every article.
Every rumor.
Every accusation.
Everything she created.
"Look at him."
She said to Daniel.
"The great Adrian Blackwood."
She smiled.
"Finally afraid."
Daniel looked uncomfortable.
"Are you sure this is enough?"
Victoria turned.
"Enough?"
She laughed.
"I have done what nobody else could."
She held up a newspaper.
"I made Adrian question the woman he loves."
But Daniel noticed something.
Something Victoria didn't want to admit.
She wasn't celebrating.
She was nervous.
Because Michael Voss had become unpredictable.
"You should be careful."
Daniel warned.
"With Michael."
Victoria looked annoyed.
"I know exactly what he is."
"Do you?"
Daniel asked.
"Because men like him don't want partnership."
A pause.
"They want control."
Victoria ignored him.
Because she believed she was in control.
And that was her mistake.
At the Blackwood mansion, Elena stood in Ethan's nursery.
Watching her son sleep.
Adrian entered quietly.
"You should rest."
She smiled faintly.
"You say that too much."
"Because you don't listen."
A small smile appeared between them.
The first in weeks.
But the pain was still there.
The wounds had not disappeared.
Elena turned toward him.
"Are we okay?"
The question was simple.
But Adrian knew what she meant.
Not the marriage.
Not the house.
The trust.
He walked closer.
"I don't know if we can go back to who we were."
Her expression fell slightly.
Then he continued:
"But I know I don't want a future without you."
Elena looked at him.
"I was afraid you would see me differently."
"I do."
She looked hurt.
Adrian touched her face.
"I see you more clearly now."
He took a breath.
"I see the woman who survived everything before me."
"The woman who protected Ethan."
"The woman who stayed when everyone else judged me."
A tear appeared in her eyes.
"I should have told you."
"Yes."
The honesty surprised her.
"But I should have asked why you were afraid."
For the first time in weeks…
They stopped fighting each other.
And turned toward the real enemy.
But the war had already begun.
The next morning, Blackwood Industries was attacked.
Not physically.
Financially.
Major investors suddenly withdrew.
Contracts were canceled.
Stocks dropped.
The media exploded.
Marcus entered Adrian's office.
"They are moving."
Adrian looked up.
"Who?"
"Victoria and Michael."
"What did they do?"
Marcus placed a file down.
"They leaked information about the Carter family."
Adrian opened it.
His expression darkened.
"They are trying to connect Elena to criminal activity."
Marcus nodded.
"But there is more."
He placed another document.
"Someone inside the company helped them."
Adrian stared.
Again.
A traitor.
Again.
Someone close.
"Who?"
Marcus hesitated.
"The board members are investigating."
Adrian looked at him.
"No."
A pause.
"I know who."
Everyone looked surprised.
Adrian continued.
"The person who leaked information wasn't trying to hurt the company."
"They were trying to create fear."
He looked at the list of executives.
"The same person who benefits from chaos."
One name appeared.
Charles Blackwood.
The room became silent.
Marcus looked shocked.
"Your uncle?"
Adrian's expression didn't change.
"Yes."
Charles had spent years criticizing Elena.
Calling her dangerous.
Calling her an outsider.
But Adrian never imagined he would betray the family.
That night, Adrian confronted him.
The meeting took place in the old Blackwood library.
The same room where generations of Blackwoods had made decisions.
Charles poured himself a drink.
"I wondered how long it would take."
Adrian stared at him.
"You helped Victoria."
Charles smiled.
"I helped the family."
"By attacking us?"
"By removing a weakness."
Adrian stepped closer.
"Elena is not a weakness."
Charles laughed.
"That is exactly why you are losing."
He pointed toward the city.
"You built everything through fear."
"You were untouchable."
"But then she came."
A pause.
"And you became human."
Adrian's eyes became cold.
"Humanity is not weakness."
Charles smiled.
"We will see."
Before Adrian could respond…
The mansion alarm sounded.
Everyone froze.
Marcus's voice came through.
"Mr. Blackwood!"
"What happened?"
A pause.
"The nursery."
Adrian's blood turned cold.
He ran.
Faster than anyone had ever seen.
The nursery door was open.
The room was empty.
No Ethan.
No Elena.
Only one thing left behind.
A letter.
Adrian opened it.
His hands shook.
The words were simple.
A FATHER SHOULD NEVER HAVE TO CHOOSE.
His face changed.
Because he knew.
This wasn't a threat.
It was a challenge.
Then his phone rang.
Unknown number.
He answered.
A familiar voice spoke.
Michael Voss.
"Hello, Adrian."
Adrian's voice became deadly.
"Where is my son?"
Michael laughed.
"Still thinking like a businessman."
A pause.
"This isn't about money."
Adrian tightened his grip.
"Touch my family and you will regret it."
Michael laughed.
"That's the problem with powerful men."
"You always think power can save you."
The call ended.
Adrian stood in the empty nursery.
For the first time in his life…
His empire meant nothing.
His money meant nothing.
His reputation meant nothing.
Only one thing mattered.
Finding his son.
Elena was gone.
Ethan was gone.
And somewhere in the darkness…
The people who wanted to destroy the Blackwoods had finally made their move.
Marcus looked at Adrian.
"What do we do?"
Adrian slowly turned.
The fear disappeared.
Only determination remained.
"We bring my family home."
And for the first time in years…
Chicago remembered why people feared the Blackwood name.
Because when Adrian Blackwood went to war…
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Nobody was safe.
END OF CHAPTER 10
