Chapter 400: The Ultimate Test

Chris Blackwood

I stood by the window, staring out at the empire I had built. The weight of the crown had never been something I feared—but trust? Trust was always a gamble.

Ethan stood beside me, silent, waiting for my command.

I finally turned to him. "I want to test everyone. Not just my son. Not just my family." My eyes darkened. "I want to test the entire country."

Ethan didn't blink. "What do you have in mind?"

I exhaled slowly. "Announce my death."

For the first time in years, Ethan's expression shifted. It was subtle—barely noticeable to anyone who didn't know him. But I caught it. The flicker of surprise. The weight of what I had just said.

"You want to fake your death?" he asked carefully.

I nodded. "I will disappear. Hidden. You will report to me every single minute about every single detail."

Ethan's jaw tightened. "And what do you hope to gain from this?"

I turned back toward the window. "I want to see how my son will act. Will Classic rise to the challenge or crumble under pressure? Will my family remain united or tear each other apart? And most importantly—" my fingers curled into a fist—"I want to see who among my people remains loyal and who was simply waiting for my downfall."

Ethan was silent for a moment before speaking. "This will cause chaos."

I let out a small, cold smile. "Good. Chaos reveals the truth."

He exhaled, already calculating the risks. "And when do you plan to return?"

"When I have seen enough."

I turned to face him fully. "Execute it immediately. By dawn, the world must believe Chris Blackwood is dead."