Boardroom. Heavy silence.
The lawyer trembled.
"Miranda's shares were transferred before her arrest."
"To who?" Ethan demanded.
The doors opened slowly.
A man stepped in.
Sharp jaw. Calm eyes. Identical posture to Ethan.
Ava felt the air leave her lungs.
"Adrian Blackwood."
Ethan whispered, "You died."
Adrian smiled.
"Death is convenient."
Flashback:
Ten years ago.
Car crash.
Burned body.
Closed coffin.
Adrian stepped closer.
"Father chose you to inherit Blackwood. Not me."
"You were unstable," Ethan snapped.
"No," Adrian said softly. "I was ambitious."
Ava realized something horrifying.
Adrian had been funding Miranda.
From the shadows.
For years.
"Why target me?" Ava demanded.
Adrian's eyes softened strangely.
"Because you were the emotional weakness."
The room froze.
He leaned closer.
"I don't need to kill you. I just need to break you."