Chapter 2: The Billionaire Who Chose the Wrong Enemy
Chapter 2: The Billionaire Who Chose the Wrong Enemy
Charles forced a laugh.
"This proves nothing."
My father didn't argue.
He simply took out his phone.
One call.
"Activate Project Atlas."
Three words.
Nothing more.
Exactly thirty seconds later...
Charles's own phone rang.
He ignored it.
Then another.
And another.
Five.
Ten.
Fifteen calls.
His assistant finally burst into the church.
She wasn't even trying to be polite.
"Mr. Blackwell!"
She could barely breathe.
"Our banks..."
"What about them?"
"They've frozen every credit facility."
Charles blinked.
"Impossible."
Another employee rushed inside.
"Our investors are pulling out."
A third arrived.
"The board is demanding an emergency meeting."
A fourth.
"The media somehow learned everything."
Phones around the church began buzzing.
News alerts flooded every screen.
BLACKWELL STOCK PLUNGES.
MAJOR INVESTORS WITHDRAW SUPPORT.
BENNETT HOLDINGS ANNOUNCES STRATEGIC REVIEW OF ALL BLACKWELL CONTRACTS.
Charles stared at my father.
"You planned this..."
"No."
My father replied calmly.
"I simply stopped protecting you."
The words hit harder than any shout.
For years...
Bennett Holdings had quietly guaranteed billions in financing for Charles's empire.
Without Richard Bennett...
Everything collapsed.
Like dominoes.
Madison's smile disappeared.
She looked at Ethan.
"You said she was nobody."
Ethan couldn't answer.
May you like
Because for the first time...
He realized he had abandoned the richest woman in the room.
