Ava felt watched for days.
Then it happened.
Broad daylight.
Outside her apartment.
A van.
Black cloth over her face.
She fought, scratched, screamed.
But they were trained.
When she woke—
Luxury penthouse.
City skyline.
Adrian stood by the window.
Calm.
"You shouldn't have involved yourself in Blackwood politics."
"You tried to kill Ethan."
"No," he said quietly. "I tried to wake him."
Ava's heart pounded.
"You're insane."
He walked closer.
"Insane? Or honest?"
He leaned near her ear.
"Miranda was never the queen. She was my employee."
Ava's breath stopped.
"You see, Ava… this was always my company."
Ethan burst into Adrian's penthouse hours later with private security.
But the room was empty.
Only a voice recording playing on loop:
"Choose, brother. Love… or legacy."