Chapter 89: Reshaping the Throne

The silence in the Blackwood boardroom stretched for long seconds, heavy with the weight of the truth. Every executive, investor, and high-ranking official in the room sat frozen, their expressions ranging from shock to barely masked fear.

Chris let the tension settle before he spoke again.

"Let's be clear about what this means," he continued, his voice steady and controlled. "From this moment on, Blackwood will no longer operate as it has in the past. Changes are coming. If you're not prepared for that, you have two options—adjust or leave."

A murmur rippled through the room. Some executives exchanged uneasy glances, while others shifted uncomfortably in their seats. Ethan, seated beside Chris, observed their reactions with a smirk. He had seen this coming. They had spent years believing he was in charge, only to realize that they had been answering to someone far more powerful all along.

One of the board members, an older man with graying hair, cleared his throat. "Mr. Blackwood… with all due respect, how do we know that you—"

Chris turned his gaze to him, cutting him off without needing to speak. The authority in his stare alone was enough to silence the man.

"You've all followed orders given by Ethan because you assumed he was the head of this empire," Chris said, leaning forward slightly. "Yet none of you questioned where that authority truly came from."

He let his words sink in before continuing. "I built Blackwood into what it is today. Every expansion, every major acquisition, every billion-dollar decision—you've all been following my lead without even realizing it."

Ethan leaned forward. "And let's make one thing very clear—there is no more questioning his authority. Blackwood moves as he commands. That will never change."

A younger executive hesitated before speaking. "And… what exactly do you want to change?"

Chris looked around the room, his expression unreadable. "First, loyalty will no longer be assumed—it will be proven. Every single department will undergo an internal audit. Corruption, inefficiency, and disloyalty will be dealt with immediately. If you've been stealing from Blackwood, consider this your only warning. I will find out."

A few men stiffened in their seats.

"Second," he continued, "Blackwood's expansion will move faster than ever. Any business failing to keep up will be removed. Weak links will not be tolerated."

Chris stepped away from the table, his movements slow and deliberate. "Third, Samuel Vance has already been cut off. Any business caught associating with him after today will be seen as opposition to Blackwood."

The room tensed at that final statement. The fall of Samuel Vance had sent ripples through the industry, and now, Blackwood was making it clear—loyalty to anyone but them was a risk no one could afford to take.

Chris turned to Ethan. "Make sure the legal team is ready. I want everything set in motion immediately."

Ethan gave a nod. "Already handled."

Chris turned back to the room. "You all built your careers under the Blackwood name. But understand this—Blackwood is not a name. It's not just an empire."

His gaze darkened, his next words sending a chill through the room.

"Blackwood is me."

No one dared to speak.

Chris adjusted his cufflinks, exuding an effortless authority. "This meeting is over. If any of you have concerns, you can take them up with Ethan. But I suggest you use your time wisely. Because the next phase of Blackwood's future begins now."

Without another word, he turned and walked out, leaving the weight of his declaration hanging in the air.

Ethan smirked as he stood. "You heard him, gentlemen. Welcome to the new era of Blackwood."

Chapter 97: The Unshakable Throne

As Chris stepped out of the boardroom, Ethan fell into step beside him.

"They were shaken," Ethan said, amusement lacing his tone. "Some of them looked like they had seen a ghost."

Chris smirked slightly but said nothing. He had no interest in entertaining their shock. They had spent years thinking Ethan was the man in power, never realizing they had been following his orders all along.

"Should I start handling the cleanup?" Ethan asked.

Chris gave a small nod. "Immediately. Start with the ones who looked the most uncomfortable. They have the most to hide."

Ethan chuckled. "Already ahead of you. I've had them under watch for a while now."

Chris stopped walking, turning to face Ethan fully. "Make sure the financial department is checked first. If there's been any internal theft, I want names on my desk before the day ends."

Ethan nodded. "Consider it done."

Chris exhaled slowly, adjusting the cuffs of his tailored suit. He had expected resistance, but he wasn't concerned. Blackwood was a machine, and every part of it would function exactly as he wanted—or be replaced.

As he continued down the hall, the staff members lining the corridor immediately lowered their heads in respect. Some of them had worked at Blackwood for years without ever seeing him in person. To them, he had been a name whispered in power circles, a shadow that dictated the fate of industries. Now, he was here.

And he wasn't leaving.

---

The Aftermath of the Meeting

News of Chris's revelation spread like wildfire. While the public still believed Ethan was the face of Blackwood, the inner circle now knew the truth—Chris was the true force behind the empire.

Executives scrambled to reaffirm their loyalty. Some, realizing their past mistakes, tried to erase their tracks. But it was too late. By the time the sun set, three high-ranking officials had already been quietly removed from their positions.

Ethan oversaw their exit personally. No scandals, no media leaks—just swift and silent removal.

Meanwhile, Chris remained in his private office, reviewing reports. His phone buzzed.

It was a message from an unknown number.

"Congratulations, Mr. Blackwood. But the higher you climb, the more enemies you make. Be careful."

Chris's expression didn't change as he deleted the message.

Enemies?

They had no idea who they were dealing with.

---

The Next Move

The following morning, Chris stood at the top floor of the Blackwood Tower, looking out over the city skyline.

Ethan entered the room. "The cleanup is going smoothly. No resistance so far."

Chris turned slightly. "Good. But we're not stopping there. It's time for expansion."

Ethan raised a brow. "Which sector?"

Chris smirked. "All of them."

Ethan let out a low chuckle. "I'll prepare the reports. But there's one more thing—Skylar."

Chris's gaze flickered.

"She's been quiet since graduation," Ethan continued. "I think she's still trying to process everything."

Chris sighed, leaning back against his desk. "Let her process it. She'll come to me when she's ready."

Ethan nodded but hesitated for a moment. "And if she starts asking the wrong questions?"

Chris's expression turned unreadable. "Then I'll give her answers. Just not all of them."

He turned back to the window, watching as the city below continued to move, unaware that i

ts fate rested in his hands.

Blackwood's next chapter had begun.

And Chris would make sure he controlled every page of it.