Chapter 80: The Revelation of Power

The echo of the gavel striking the podium had barely faded before Ethan raised his hand, commanding silence.

"Mr. Bianchi," he called, his voice smooth but firm. "Would you kindly step forward?"

Alessandro Bianchi didn't hesitate.

He rose with the ease of a man accustomed to commanding attention, his tailored suit crisp, his expression unreadable. As he strode toward the stage, the crowd parted without a word.

He knew what he had won.

Or so he thought.

Ethan gave him a long, knowing look before speaking.

"Congratulations," he said, gesturing toward the seat beside him. "Your bid has secured a 100-billion-dollar deal with Blackwood."

A slow nod. No arrogance, no outward display of victory. Just quiet calculation.

"But," Ethan continued, a smirk barely visible, "before we proceed with the finalization of the contract, there's one more matter to address."

Alessandro raised a brow.

The room held its breath.

"The second prize," Ethan stated, "was 2% of Blackwood." He paused, then his smirk widened slightly. "But let me clarify something."

Alessandro's eyes narrowed just a fraction.

"You are not receiving 2% of the Blackwood empire."

A ripple of murmurs spread through the audience, confusion flashing across the faces of some, while others leaned in, intrigued.

Ethan clasped his hands behind his back, exuding an air of absolute control.

"What you have secured," he continued, his voice unwavering, "is 2% of Blackwood Cosmetics. A division within the Blackwood empire—powerful, highly profitable, but a mere branch."

A heavy silence.

And then—Alessandro chuckled.

Not out of amusement.

But understanding.

The room might not have fully grasped what had just happened, but he did.

This wasn't a loss. It was a test.

Blackwood—whoever the true power behind it was—had just made something very clear.

They would never allow anyone outside their circle to touch the true empire.

They had let him in, but only just enough to prove a point.

Ethan tilted his head. "I assume that is acceptable?"

Alessandro met his gaze. Then, with the smallest of smirks, he extended his hand.

"I never expected more," he said smoothly.

Their handshake was brief, but the message was received loud and clear.

Power wasn't given. It was allowed—on Blackwood's terms.