Chapter 79: The Heir’s Final Offer

The room had barely recovered from the billion-dollar contract auction when Ethan raised his hand once more.

Silence fell instantly.

And then, he spoke.

"Tonight has been historic," he said, his voice calm but commanding. "But what if I told you that everything until now… was merely a prelude?"

A tension, almost tangible, spread across the room.

"The final auction of the night," Ethan continued, "is not just another deal. It comes directly from the heir of Blackwood."

A stunned pause.

Then chaos.

The weight of his words crushed the air from the room.

The heir?

Blackwood's true power had always been a mystery. Ethan was the face, the feared chairman. But the heir—the one truly in control—had never stepped into the light.

Until now.

Whispers turned to frantic murmurs. Even those who had remained composed throughout the night now sat on edge.

"This," Ethan gestured toward a black folder bearing the Blackwood insignia, "is a direct partnership with Blackwood itself."

He let them absorb it.

"The winner of this auction will gain exclusive access to the most powerful force in global finance and industry. A deal like this has never existed before—and may never exist again."

Then he delivered the final blow.

"Starting bid: 20 billion dollars."

A chilling silence followed.

Not a single paddle was raised.

Not out of hesitation, but out of sheer intimidation.

Because this wasn't just about wealth anymore.

This was about stepping into the heir's world.

And only a fool would do so without understanding what it truly meant.

Chapter 80: A Deal Beyond Imagination

The room remained frozen, the weight of Ethan's words pressing down on every individual present.

Then, just as the silence stretched to its breaking point, Ethan delivered the final twist.

"This auction," he announced, "offers not just one, but two extraordinary prizes."

The tension in the air thickened.

"The highest bidder will secure a 100-billion-dollar deal with Blackwood. But—" he let his gaze sweep over the stunned crowd, "there is something even greater at stake."

Another pause. Another moment of sheer anticipation.

"The second prize," he declared, his voice carrying an unmistakable authority, "is a 2% stake in Blackwood."

Gasps.

Not just murmurs now, but outright disbelief.

A percentage of Blackwood?

For years, the most powerful families, the wealthiest corporations, and the most influential figures had tried to infiltrate Blackwood's empire—to buy in, to claim a fraction of its dominion.

Every single one had failed.

Because Blackwood did not sell.

It ruled.

But now—a piece of that empire was being offered on this very stage.

This was no longer just an auction.

It was a war.

The titans of industry, the kings of finance—men who had never bowed to anyone—were now scrambling, whispering to their aides, weighing the risk, the power, and the unfathomable cost.

Then—

"25 billion."

The first bid shattered the silence.

The war had begun.

Chapter 81: The Battle for Blackwood

A single bid was all it took to ignite the room.

"Twenty-five billion!"

The voice belonged to Maxim Petrov, a Russian oil magnate whose family had ruled the energy sector for decades. His cold, calculating eyes barely flinched as he raised his paddle, setting the battlefield in motion.

But no sooner had the number left his lips than another voice rang out.

"Thirty billion!"

All heads turned to Desmond Lancaster, the British shipping tycoon who controlled over half of Europe's trade routes. His expression was one of quiet determination, but the twitch in his fingers gripping the paddle gave him away.

He knew what was at stake.

This wasn't just about securing a contract.

It was about stepping into the domain of the heir.

Ethan allowed a smirk to play at the corners of his lips as he leaned forward slightly, watching the unfolding spectacle. From the shadows near the back of the ballroom, Chris remained still, observing the chaos his silent presence had unleashed.

The number surged higher.

Forty billion.

Fifty billion.

At sixty billion, the first wave of contenders hesitated. This wasn't a game for the weak. Even among billionaires, the number was astronomical.

And yet, for Blackwood?

It was still an entry fee.

"Seventy billion!"

The bid came from a woman this time—Victoria Chau, the ruthless Hong Kong billionaire whose conglomerate spanned from technology to real estate. Her calm, controlled tone sent a ripple through the room.

She wasn't bidding out of desperation.

She was bidding because she understood what everyone else in the room was just beginning to realize—this wasn't a gamble. It was an opportunity.

Silence followed.

For the first time, uncertainty flickered in the eyes of the remaining bidders.

Seventy billion.

A number that could break even the wealthiest empires.

Ethan let the silence stretch, his fingers lightly tapping the podium. Then, as if sensing hesitation, he decided to turn the knife.

"Remember," he said, his voice smooth as silk, "the highest bidder doesn't just receive a 100-billion-dollar deal. They will also walk away with 2% of Blackwood."

He let the statement settle.

Then, in a tone just barely amused, he added,

"Ask yourselves… what is 2% of an empire worth?"

The words landed like a bomb.

A billion-dollar deal was one thing.

But ownership? Even at just 2%?

That was an entirely different level of power.

A bead of sweat rolled down Maxim Petrov's temple. Desmond Lancaster adjusted his tie, eyes darting around as if calculating the risk versus reward. Victoria Chau remained impassive, but her grip on her paddle tightened ever so slightly.

And then—

"Eighty billion."

The bid came from a voice that hadn't spoken all night.

All eyes turned to the back of the room.

Alessandro Bianchi.

A man feared as much as he was respected. His family had been involved in finance, politics, and organized crime for generations, controlling an underground network few dared to challenge.

And now, he had just thrown his hat into the ring.

For the first time, Ethan felt something close to satisfaction. This was the kind of battle Blackwood thrived on.

But Chris?

Standing unnoticed in the crowd, his hands remained in his pockets, his expression unreadable.

Because while the room saw chaos, he saw exactly what he had expected.

They thought they were fighting for power.

But they had no idea who was really in control.

Ethan's voice cut through the air like a blade.

"Eighty billion going once."

A hush.

"Going twice."

A pause.

And then—

"Ninety billion."

A stunned murmur.

The bid came from Victoria Chau. Her face was calm, but her eyes burned with ambition. She wasn't here to play second to anyone.

She wanted Blackwood.

Ethan tilted his head slightly. "Ninety billion, going once—"

A deep breath.

Then—

"One hundred billion."

It wasn't shouted.

It wasn't desperate.

It was spoken calmly.

As if the number itself was insignificant.

Alessandro Bianchi had just matched the deal price.

The entire ballroom fell into

a stunned silence.

No one dared speak.

No one dared challenge.

Ethan waited—just long enough to let the weight of the number settle—before delivering the final verdict.

"Sold."

A single word.

And the world had just changed.