Chapter 61: No Way Back

Ethan's phone buzzed again—relentless. Calls. Messages. Requests.

"They're losing their minds," he said, barely containing his amusement. "Board members are pulling out of Council-funded projects. Investments are freezing. Some of them just realized they can't even land their jets on Blackwood-owned airstrips."

Chris remained still, his fingers tapping against the polished desk. "Good."

Ethan crossed his arms. "The Council underestimated you. They thought they could control Blackwood." He smirked. "Now they're realizing—you control them."

Chris exhaled, standing up. He walked toward the floor-to-ceiling windows of his office, overlooking the vast city skyline.

"They had their chance," he said, his voice quiet but firm. "They could've left me alone. But instead, they tried to interfere. They tried to test me." His gaze darkened. "Now? They're irrelevant."

Ethan nodded. "So what's next? We keep them out permanently?"

Chris turned slightly. "Let them struggle for a while. Let them realize that without me, their influence means nothing."

Ethan checked his tablet. "And Zayne?"

Chris smirked. "Oh, he'll come crawling soon enough. But I won't be here when he does."

Ethan raised an eyebrow. "Then where will you be?"

Chris's eyes flickered with something unreadable. "Vienna."

Ethan's expression turned serious. "The Council's meeting."

Chris nodded. "They called for a truce." He glanced at Ethan. "Let's show them what Blackwood thinks of 'truces.'"