Chapter 14 - THE GIRL WHO OWNED AN EMPIREThe world woke up to chaos.
Financial markets crashed.
Blackwood shares surged, then collapsed.
News networks reported a mysterious ownership transfer.
Nobody knew how.
But the documents were real.
At nine years old, Chloe Blackwood legally controlled the Blackwood empire.
Victor stared at the reports.
“This can't be legal.”
Edward shook his head.
“The system doesn't care about laws.”
Richard stepped closer.
“It recognized her DNA.”
Victor looked at Chloe.
“Then the board will come after her.”
“They already are.”
Hundreds of lawsuits appeared within hours.
Governments demanded access to the Blackwood accounts.
Executives tried to seize assets.
Evelyn disappeared.
Amelia was captured.
Nora was missing.
The empire was collapsing from every direction.
Chloe looked at Victor.
“What do we do?”
Victor crouched beside her.
“We find your mother.”
“How?”
Richard stepped forward.
“I know where she is.”
They followed him into an underground room.
A map covered the wall.
At the center was a red mark.
Blackwood's oldest factory.
Victor frowned.
“We searched that place.”
“You searched the building.”
Richard touched a hidden section.
“Not beneath it.”
A passage opened.
They descended.
The walls were lined with recordings.
Amelia had been held there.
Victor found one final message.
“Dad.”
Her voice was weak.
“If you're here, Chloe has activated the system.”
Victor listened.
“Do not trust the system.”
He frowned.
“It will tell you the truth.”
The recording paused.
“But the truth isn't always safe.”
Then Amelia whispered:
“The system has a master.”
Victor's heart stopped.
“What master?”
The recording ended.
Richard looked at him.
“Someone still controls it.”
Victor asked:
“Who?”
Richard pointed toward the old computer.
A name appeared.
PRIMARY ADMINISTRATOR: NORA VALE.
Victor stared.
“Nora?”
Everyone turned.
Nora stepped from the shadows.
Victor's wife.
Or the woman he thought he knew.
Nora looked at Chloe.
“I'm sorry.”
Chloe backed away.
“Mom?”
Nora shook her head.
“I'm not your mother.”
Victor felt the ground collapse.
“Then who are you?”
Nora looked at Amelia's photograph.
“I was assigned to protect her.”
“But your name…”
“Wasn't Nora.”
She touched a hidden panel.
“My real name is Elizabeth Blackwood.”
Victor froze.
Another Blackwood.
Another secret.
May you like
Elizabeth smiled sadly.
“And I'm the last heir of the branch your family erased.”
