CHAPTER 9
CHAPTER 9
THE CHILD THEY TRIED TO TAKE
The world had always known Adrian Blackwood as a man who never lost.
Not in business.
Not in negotiations.
Not in battles.
Enemies had tried to destroy him before.
They failed.
Because Adrian was always prepared.
Always ten steps ahead.
Always in control.
But there was one thing Adrian Blackwood could never prepare for.
Losing his family.
The image of the marriage document remained on every screen.
The accusation.
The silence.
The doubt.
It had only taken Victoria Laurent a few seconds to create the destruction she wanted.
And this time…
She had chosen the perfect weapon.
Not money.
Not power.
Trust.
Elena stood in the middle of the Blackwood conference room.
Everyone was watching her.
Judging her.
Waiting for an explanation.
But the only person she cared about was Adrian.
Because she could survive the world hating her.
She had done it before.
But she could not survive Adrian looking at her like a stranger.
"Adrian."
Her voice was quiet.
"Please listen to me."
He looked at the document again.
Then at her.
"Tell me it's not true."
The words hurt.
Because they sounded less like a question…
And more like a desperate hope.
"It is complicated."
The moment those words left her mouth…
Everyone reacted.
Because complicated sounded like guilt.
Adrian closed his eyes.
For years, he had trusted his instincts.
But now his instincts were fighting each other.
One part of him believed Elena.
Another part was terrified.
Charles Blackwood smiled slightly.
"How convenient."
Adrian turned.
"What did you say?"
Charles looked away.
"Nothing."
But Adrian heard the meaning.
And he hated it.
Because everyone was waiting for Elena to fall.
"Everyone leaves."
Adrian's voice suddenly became cold.
The room froze.
"Leave."
Nobody argued.
One by one, the family members walked out.
Until only Adrian and Elena remained.
The silence between them was unbearable.
Finally, Elena spoke.
"I was married before."
Adrian felt his chest tighten.
She continued quickly.
"But it was not what you think."
"Then tell me what it was."
Elena sat down slowly.
Her hands trembled.
"I was twenty-one."
A pause.
"My father had just died."
Adrian listened.
"After his death, I discovered there were debts."
"People came after me."
"Threatened me."
She looked down.
"I needed protection."
Adrian's expression softened slightly.
"Who was he?"
Elena swallowed.
"Michael Voss."
The name meant nothing to him.
And that worried him.
"He was my father's business associate."
She continued.
"He offered to help."
A bitter smile appeared.
"I thought he was saving me."
"But he wasn't."
Michael Voss had not loved Elena.
He had wanted control.
He wanted access to her family's remaining assets.
He wanted her name.
The marriage had been arranged under pressure.
A contract.
A legal agreement.
Nothing more.
"I escaped after six months."
Elena whispered.
"I disappeared."
"Changed my identity."
"Started over."
Adrian stared at her.
"Why didn't you tell me?"
"Because it was over."
Her eyes filled.
"Because I was ashamed."
Adrian immediately shook his head.
"No."
She looked at him.
"You should never be ashamed of surviving."
For a moment…
The old Adrian returned.
The man who loved her.
The man who believed her.
But then his phone rang.
Marcus.
Adrian answered.
"What happened?"
The voice on the other end was urgent.
"Boss."
A pause.
"It's Ethan."
Adrian froze.
"What about him?"
Marcus took a breath.
"Someone tried to take him."
Everything changed.
The nursery door had been forced open.
Security had stopped the attacker before they escaped.
But the message was clear.
Someone was no longer trying to destroy Elena's reputation.
They were coming after their child.
Adrian arrived at the mansion within minutes.
The first thing he did was find Ethan.
His son was crying.
Holding onto a security guard.
The moment he saw Adrian…
He reached out.
"Dada."
Adrian picked him up immediately.
His hands shook.
Not from fear.
From rage.
"Who?"
Marcus looked serious.
"We don't know yet."
Adrian looked toward the broken nursery window.
Someone had entered his home.
Someone had touched his son.
Then they found something.
A small envelope left behind.
Inside was a note.
YOU TOOK WHAT BELONGED TO US.
Adrian's expression changed.
"What does that mean?"
Nobody answered.
Until Elena saw the handwriting.
Her face turned pale.
"No..."
Adrian looked at her.
"What?"
She stepped closer.
"That is Michael's handwriting."
Silence.
The past she had escaped…
Had returned.
That night, Adrian finally understood.
Victoria had not created the entire storm.
She had only opened the door.
Someone else was behind it.
Someone who knew Elena before him.
Someone who believed Elena belonged to them.
A private investigator brought new information.
"Mr. Blackwood."
Adrian looked up.
"Michael Voss is alive."
Elena froze.
"What?"
The investigator continued.
"He disappeared years ago."
A pause.
"But recently, he transferred money through accounts connected to Victoria Laurent."
Adrian's eyes became cold.
"So they are working together."
"Yes."
The pieces finally connected.
Victoria wanted the Blackwood empire.
Michael wanted Elena.
Together…
They wanted everything Adrian loved.
Meanwhile, in an abandoned warehouse…
Victoria stood beside Michael.
She looked at a photograph of Ethan.
"The child is the final piece."
Michael smiled.
"And Elena?"
Victoria looked toward him.
"Once Adrian loses trust in his wife..."
A pause.
"Elena will have nowhere to go."
Michael smiled.
"You really hate her."
Victoria laughed softly.
"No."
She looked at the photo.
"I envy her."
Because that was the truth Victoria refused to admit.
She didn't hate Elena because Elena was weak.
She hated Elena because Elena had something Victoria never had.
Someone who loved her without wanting anything in return.
Back at the Blackwood mansion…
Adrian sat beside Ethan's bed.
Watching his son sleep.
Elena stood at the doorway.
Neither spoke.
Finally, Adrian looked at her.
"I should have believed you."
Her eyes filled.
"But you were hurt."
"I was afraid."
A pause.
"And fear made me doubt the person who saved my life."
Elena walked closer.
"But now?"
Adrian looked at Ethan.
"Now I know exactly who my enemy is."
He stood.
The old Adrian Blackwood returned.
The man the world feared.
But this time, he wasn't fighting for an empire.
He was fighting for his family.
"Victoria wanted war."
His voice was cold.
"Michael wants revenge."
A pause.
"They both made the same mistake."
Elena looked at him.
"What mistake?"
Adrian looked toward his son.
"They touched my child."
Across the city, Victoria received a message.
THEY KNOW ABOUT MICHAEL.
For the first time…
Her confidence disappeared.
Because she knew one thing about Adrian Blackwood.
He could forgive betrayal.
He could forgive lies.
But he would never forgive anyone who threatened his family.
Victoria looked at Michael.
"We need to move faster."
Michael smiled.
"Why?"
She stared at him.
"Because now..."
A pause.
"We are no longer breaking a marriage."
Her eyes became cold.
May you like
"We are fighting a father."
END OF CHAPTER 9
