Chapter 4: Betrayal in the Shadows
---
1. Damien's Revelation
The grand hall of the Blackwood mansion was eerily silent as Ethan followed Damien. The walls felt colder than usual, and the faint hum of the chandeliers above did nothing to ease his anxiety.
Damien stopped in front of the Blackwood estate's private security room, swiped his access card, and the heavy doors slid open. Inside, dozens of surveillance monitors lined the walls, each showing a different part of the mansion.
"Sir," Damien said, his voice low and grim, "I think it's time you see this."
Ethan stepped closer. One of the screens was frozen on a paused image: a man in a Blackwood guard uniform meeting someone in secret.
Ethan squinted. "Who is that?"
Damien unpaused the feed. The guard removed his mask, revealing a familiar face.
"Marcus…?" Ethan whispered. Marcus Blackwood – his cousin.
Damien nodded. "He's been leaking information about your movements, your missions… and last night, he contacted the Viper Syndicate."
Ethan felt his chest tighten.
"The Syndicate that kidnapped Sophia and attacked Claire's family… Marcus is feeding them intel?!"
But Damien's voice grew colder. "Sir, Marcus isn't acting alone. He's part of a larger plot to remove you… permanently."
---
2. Blackwood Family Politics
The Blackwood family was massive. Ethan – as Aiden – was the sole heir, but that didn't mean everyone wanted him in power. His uncle, Vincent Blackwood, had always believed he should be the one controlling the family empire.
Ethan remembered fragments from the manga – Vincent was manipulative, always working behind the scenes.
"If Marcus is working with Vincent… then this betrayal isn't just about money. They want me dead."
The system confirmed his worst fear:
Ethan clenched his fists. "Neutralize? I'm not a killer!"
System:
> "Then someone else will do the killing. You."
---
3. Lucas Steps In
As if things weren't bad enough, Lucas Veylan showed up at the Blackwood mansion the next morning.
Ethan's blood ran cold the moment Lucas entered the grand foyer, his sharp gaze sweeping across the room.
"Blackwood," Lucas said calmly, "we need to talk again."
The Suspicion Meter ticked upward.
51%... 52%...
Ethan forced a smile. "Lucas! What a… surprise."
Lucas stepped closer. "There was an assassination attempt on Claire Vale's family, then a sudden attack on the Hartleys… and now, rumors of Blackwood family infighting. Does it all connect back to you?"
53%... 54%...
Ethan's hands felt clammy. "Lucas, I swear, I'm not—"
But Lucas interrupted, his voice sharp. "If I find out you're manipulating these situations, I won't hesitate to end you."
55%... 56%...
"I'm dead… I'm so dead…"
---
4. The Secret Meeting
That night, Ethan attended a secret meeting in the family council chamber, hiding in the shadows. Marcus and Vincent were already there, speaking in hushed voices.
Vincent's voice was like poison.
"Aiden is weak. He's too soft. If we don't remove him now, he'll destroy everything the Blackwood name stands for."
Marcus nodded. "Lucas is already suspicious of him. We can use that. One wrong move and the hero will do our job for us."
Ethan's heart pounded in his chest.
"They're planning to frame me for something… something that will make Lucas kill me!"
---
5. System's New Twist
The system's voice cut through his panic.
"Change the script? What does that mean?" Ethan whispered.
System:
> "If you expose Vincent and Marcus now, the family will believe them. You will be branded a liar and executed.
But… you can alter the story. Use your Shadow Influence trait to create a new narrative."
Ethan's eyes widened.
"I can… rewrite how this plays out?!"
System:
> "Yes. But each change will increase the Hero's suspicion exponentially."
Ethan swallowed hard. "If I don't change it, I die. If I change it, Lucas will kill me anyway… This is impossible!"
---
6. A Dangerous Plan
Ethan decided to gamble. He used the Shadow Influence trait for the first time, subtly altering small events:
He planted false evidence of Marcus's betrayal in Vincent's personal safe.
He arranged for Damien to "discover" secret transactions linking Vincent to the Viper Syndicate.
He leaked an anonymous tip to Lucas that Vincent was the mastermind behind the recent attacks.
The system warned him every time:
63%... 70%...
Ethan felt like he was walking on a tightrope.
"One wrong move and Lucas will cut me down."
---
7. The Family Council
The Blackwood Family Council meeting was held three days later. Every influential family member was present, the air thick with tension.
Vincent stood at the head of the table, his expression calm and confident.
"Today," Vincent announced, "we decide the future of the Blackwood name. Aiden's reckless behavior has brought shame and danger upon us. I move that he be stripped of his heirship immediately."
The council murmured in agreement.
Ethan stood, his heart pounding.
"Before you pass judgment," Ethan said, "you should know the truth about Vincent and Marcus."
Vincent laughed coldly. "Desperation won't save you, Aiden."
But then Damien entered the chamber, holding stacks of documents – all planted by Ethan's Shadow Influence.
"These records," Damien said, "show that Vincent and Marcus funded the Viper Syndicate and orchestrated the attacks on the Hartleys and Vales."
Gasps erupted around the room.
Vincent's eyes widened. "This is a lie!"
But before he could continue, Lucas Veylan stepped into the council chamber.
"I received the same evidence," Lucas said, his voice deadly calm. "And I confirmed it myself."
Vincent and Marcus were seized by the Blackwood guards.
Ethan exhaled shakily.
"I did it… I actually changed the story!"
---
8. The Price
But the system was not finished.
Ethan's victory turned to ice in his veins.
Lucas stepped closer, his sharp gaze locking onto Ethan.
"You… seem to know a lot, Blackwood. More than you should. Almost as if… you're pulling the strings."
Ethan froze.
"Oh no… Lucas is getting too close to the truth!"
---
9. Cliffhanger
The council chamber emptied, leaving only Ethan and Lucas.
Lucas drew his sword slowly, its blade gleaming under the light.
"Tell me the truth, Blackwood," Lucas said, his voice low and dangerous. "Are you the villain behind all of this? Or should I make sure right now?"
The Suspicion Meter ticked upward again.
79%... 80%...
Ethan's throat went dry. He could feel the cold steel of death hovering over him.
The system whispered one final warning:
---
Chapter 4 End (Suspense)