The Billionaire Heir's Revenge

Chapter 8: The Shadow Behind the Throne

The sunrise painted the city gold.

Yet inside Blackwell Global's chairman's office, the atmosphere was ice cold.

Ethan stared at the anonymous message on his phone.

"Project Phoenix has begun. They know you are alive."

No sender.

No number.

No explanation.

Just a warning.

For the first time since inheriting the empire, Ethan felt genuine danger.

Not from Damien.

Not from the Hart Family.

Not from rival corporations.

This felt different.

Much different.

Sebastian noticed the change in his expression.

"What happened?"

Without speaking, Ethan handed him the phone.

Sebastian read the message.

The color instantly drained from his face.

Ethan noticed immediately.

"You know something."

Sebastian remained silent.

Too silent.

That alone was enough to answer the question.

"Talk."

The old steward sighed heavily.

"I was hoping this day wouldn't come so soon."

Ethan's eyes narrowed.

"What day?"

Sebastian walked toward the window.

For several moments, he simply stared outside.

Then he spoke.

"Fifteen years ago, your grandfather didn't hide you because he wanted to."

"He hid you because he had no choice."

A chill ran through Ethan.

"What does that mean?"

Sebastian turned around.

His expression was grave.

"Someone wanted the Blackwell bloodline erased."

The room became silent.

"Who?"

"We never found out."

Ethan frowned.

That answer only made things worse.

Sebastian continued.

"Several members of the Blackwell Family died under mysterious circumstances."

"Accidents."

"Disappearances."

"Assassinations disguised as natural causes."

Ethan's expression darkened.

"And my parents?"

Sebastian lowered his head.

"We don't know."

The words struck Ethan harder than expected.

For years he had wondered why he was alone.

Why he had no family.

No answers.

No past.

Now it appeared that someone had stolen all of it.

---

Meanwhile...

Sterling International Headquarters.

Damien hadn't slept all night.

His eyes were bloodshot.

The revelation that Blackwell Global had acquired thirty-one percent of Hart Group was devastating.

Months of planning had collapsed overnight.

His phone rang.

The caller ID made him immediately answer.

"Father."

A cold voice emerged.

"You disappointed me."

Damien stiffened.

His father rarely called personally.

And when he did—

It was never good.

"I can explain."

"Explain?"

The older man's voice became colder.

"You provoked Blackwell Global."

"You started a war you cannot win."

Damien clenched his fists.

"I won't lose."

The response came instantly.

"You already have."

The call ended.

Damien stood motionless.

His face turned pale.

For the first time, he realized even his father feared Blackwell Global.

---

Later that morning.

A major business conference was held downtown.

The event attracted hundreds of executives.

Journalists crowded every entrance.

Cameras flashed continuously.

The topic everyone wanted to discuss was obvious.

Blackwell Global.

And its mysterious new chairman.

Inside the conference hall, Damien sat in the front row.

His expression remained dark.

Several executives quietly distanced themselves from him.

Nobody wanted to be associated with someone targeted by Blackwell Global.

The humiliation only deepened his anger.

Then the conference host stepped onto the stage.

"Ladies and gentlemen."

"We are honored to welcome our special guest."

The lights dimmed.

Everyone turned toward the entrance.

Moments later—

Ethan walked in.

The entire hall immediately stood.

Hundreds of executives rose simultaneously.

The sight was overwhelming.

Damien remained seated.

His face twisted with resentment.

Ethan ignored him completely.

The conference began.

Questions came one after another.

Economic forecasts.

International investments.

Future acquisitions.

Ethan answered calmly.

Confidently.

Naturally.

The directors who once doubted him would have been shocked.

He adapted frighteningly fast.

Then a journalist suddenly asked:

"Chairman Blackwell."

"Is it true your company recently acquired a major stake in Hart Group?"

The room became silent.

Everyone leaned forward.

Ethan smiled slightly.

"Business opportunities appear every day."

The journalist persisted.

"Does this mean you're planning to rescue Hart Group?"

Many eyes shifted toward Sophia, who was seated several rows away.

She looked nervous.

Waiting.

Ethan considered the question.

Then answered:

"No."

The room froze.

Sophia's expression stiffened.

Ethan continued calmly.

"Blackwell Global doesn't rescue companies."

"We acquire valuable assets."

The statement hit like a hammer.

Business executives nodded in approval.

Sophia lowered her gaze.

A strange sadness appeared in her heart.

Perhaps she had secretly hoped otherwise.

---

After the conference ended—

A young woman approached Ethan.

Isabella Kingsley.

As beautiful as ever.

Her silver dress had been replaced by a stylish business suit.

She looked every bit the elite heiress.

"You caused quite a scene."

Ethan laughed.

"I seem to do that often."

Isabella smiled.

Then her expression became serious.

"I need to talk to you."

The change immediately caught Ethan's attention.

"What about?"

"Project Phoenix."

Ethan froze.

His eyes sharpened.

"How do you know that name?"

Isabella looked around carefully.

Then lowered her voice.

"Because my grandfather was involved."

Silence.

Absolute silence.

Ethan stared at her.

Trying to determine if she was joking.

She wasn't.

Not even close.

Isabella continued.

"My family has been searching for you for years."

"Searching for me?"

She nodded.

"Because if Project Phoenix is active again..."

Her voice became unusually serious.

"Then the people who destroyed your family may be moving again."

For several moments, Ethan said nothing.

Then he asked:

"Who are they?"

Isabella shook her head.

"I don't know."

"But my grandfather does."

"When can I meet him?"

She hesitated.

Then answered:

"Tonight."

---

Across the city.

In a dark room hidden beneath an abandoned warehouse.

Several figures sat around a circular table.

Their faces remained concealed by shadows.

A large screen displayed Ethan's photograph.

One of the figures spoke.

"The heir has surfaced."

Another replied.

"Fifteen years earlier than expected."

A third figure laughed softly.

"No matter."

The room became quiet.

Then the leader finally spoke.

His voice was calm.

Cold.

Terrifying.

"Prepare the hunters."

Silence followed.

No one dared interrupt.

The leader continued:

"Fifteen years ago we failed to eliminate the child."

His gaze remained fixed on Ethan's image.

"But this time..."

The corners of his lips slowly curved upward.

"We won't make the same mistake."

The screen flickered.

Ethan's photograph remained visible.

Marked with a single red word.

TARGET

And for the first time since inheriting Blackwell Global—

Someone had officially declared war on Ethan Blackwell.