Chapter 2
964 Words
Chapter 2.
The courtroom felt claustrophobic. Media cameras were lined up outside the door, flashes flashing every time Adrian Blackwood stepped inside. The black jacket he wore could not hide the trembling in his hands. He stood up straight, staring at the judge's chair with a cool gaze, though inside his chest the feeling of chaos was uncontrollable.
"Adrian Blackwood, do you admit that under your leadership, the shares of Blackwood Corporation fell by more than 30% in two weeks?" the plaintiff's attorney's voice echoed, full of pressure.
Adrian took a deep breath. "I don't deny the decline. But-"
"There is no but." The sharp voice cut him off. Behind the crowd of reporters, he could hear painful whispers.
"There he is, the failed heir."
"He shouldn't have been at the helm in the first place."
"Richard was wrong to entrust the company to his son."
Those words cut deeper than anyone's cynical stares.
In a special chair, Richard Blackwood, the father, sits with a tense face. Despite his wrinkles, his eyes are sharp. Richard is the man who built the Blackwood empire from scratch, a business legend who is both respected and feared. Today, he was watching his son being publicly humiliated.
"Your Majesty," Richard's voice finally came through, slightly hoarse yet full of authority, "My son is not a failed heir. He was simply attacked too soon, too dirty. This whole thing is a dirty game that has yet to unfold."
Adrian turned to his father. There was a glint of trust in the man's eyes-a trust that was rare in his family.
But the outside world didn't care. The next day's headlines were clear.
"Blackwood Destroyed. Young Heir Fails to Save the Throne."
"Investors Flee, Employees No Longer Trust."
"Adrian Blackwood. From Hope to Disgrace."
A bigger disaster came sooner than he imagined.
---
Three days after the trial, Adrian was summoned to his father's study.
The room was the same as always - filled with law books, financial statements, and family portraits. Richard sat in his chair, his face pale, his breathing heavy.
"Adrian," he said quietly. "Don't mind them. I trust you. You have Blackwood blood."
Adrian clenched his fists. "But the public doesn't, Dad. They think I'm not worthy."
"The public can be molded," Richard replied, this time in a firmer voice. "What matters is the truth. And the truth always finds its way. You just have to be patient enough to wait."
But before Adrian could reply, his father suddenly grasped his left breast. Richard's face tightened, a cold sweat breaking out.
"Dad?" Adrian jumped, running over. "Dad! What happened?"
Richard fell out of his chair, his body shaking violently. Adrian panicked, shouting for help.
"Call a doctor! Hurry!"
But everything happened too fast. The heart attack was too sudden, too violent. Despite the medical team's best efforts, Richard Blackwood, the business magnate, never recovered.
Within days, news of Richard's death spread across the country. The media wrote about it in dramatic tones.
But everything happened too fast. The heart attack was too sudden, too violent. Despite the best efforts of the medical team, Richard Blackwood, the business magnate, never recovered.
Within days, news of Richard's death spread across the country. The media wrote about it in dramatic tones:
"End of the Blackwood Era. Richard Blackwood Dies."
More painful for Adrian, however, was the harsh reality: he was not allowed to attend his father's funeral.
"This is a big family decision," a lawyer said in a flat voice. "We don't want the media to focus on you. The situation is bad enough."
Adrian could only stare blankly. Not being allowed to say goodbye to his father was the greatest humiliation.
---
And that's when his uncle, Edmund Blackwood, emerged from the shadows.
Edmund appeared with a sympathetic smile, dressed in a neat suit. "Adrian, I know this is difficult for you. But the company cannot be allowed to collapse. I will temporarily take over as CEO until things stabilize."
Adrian looked at the man coldly. "Temporarily?"
"Of course. For the good of the company and to honor my brother's legacy." Edmund patted his shoulder as if he cared. "You are still young. You need time to learn."
But behind his gentle words, Adrian could sense a devious intent. He knew his uncle, ambitious, patient, and never satisfied.
In just two weeks, Edmund began to dig in his heels. The board of directors slowly defected. Employees who had been loyal to Richard switched to supporting Edmund. The stock plunged further, one by one investors fled.
Adrian was backed into a corner. Every time he tried to fight back, the voices in the boardroom cut him off.
"Sorry, Adrian, but the numbers are not in your favor."
"You're too emotional, this is not your father's way."
"Better let Edmund handle it."
Day after day, his father's legacy was snatched away right before his eyes.
---
But hope came in the form of a shabby envelope that the family lawyer smuggled into her apartment.
"This is from your father," the lawyer said before leaving.
With trembling hands, Adrian opened the envelope. It was just a scrap of paper, with Richard's firm but slightly shaky handwriting.
"Adrian, if you're reading this, it means I'm gone. Listen carefully, don't trust anyone in this family. Find the truth. Rise up. The world won't give you a second chance. You have to earn it yourself."
Tears welled up in Adrian's eyes. He held the letter tightly, as if he could feel his father's warmth once again.
In the silence of the night, she swore to herself.
"I will not give up. Not in front of them. Not in front of Edmund."
And for the first time since her father's death, her eyes sparkled again.
- Writer
