Chapter 291: The Ghost of Ava

(Cole's POV – The Last Loose End)

Cole stood before Chris in the dimly lit study of Classic Castle. The faint cries of the newborn heir echoed somewhere in the distance, a stark contrast to the conversation at hand.

"Ava is dead."

Chris's voice was smooth, decisive. No regret. No hesitation.

Cole had expected this outcome, but hearing it now—**knowing it had happened during Skylar's labor—**made it clear. Chris had never intended for Ava to leave that hospital alive.

"Ethan handled it?" Cole asked.

Chris took a slow sip of his drink before answering.

"Under my command," he confirmed. "Right after I left Skylar's side."

Cole exhaled. It made sense. A power move wrapped in a personal moment. While the world celebrated the birth of Classic Blackwood, one of its greatest threats was being eliminated.

"Any complications?"

Chris shook his head. "Ethan executed the order cleanly. No traces. No body to mourn." His voice dropped slightly. "She took her last breath in the same building where my son took his first."

Symbolic. Cold. Final.

Cole let the weight of it settle before nodding. "And the remnants of her people?"

Chris's gaze darkened.

"They're leaderless. But I don't like loose ends. Make sure they know—Ava's cause died with her."

Cole smirked slightly. He understood the assignment.

"Consider it done."

As he turned to leave, he stole one last glance at Chris—still seated, still calm.

Ava was gone. The rebellion should have died with her.

But Cole had been in this game long enough to know one thing—

Some ghosts don't stay buried.