Chapter 1 - THE ACCUSED AT THE ALTAR OF POWERGenevieve’s jaw trembled, a rare cracking of her impeccably polished facade as two police officers stepped forward, heavy steel handcuffs glinting under the harsh fluorescent lights of the hospital hallway.
"Julian! What is the meaning of this ridiculous spectacle?!" her voice shrieked, echoing off the marble floors of the VIP wing. "I am your mother! I practically built Blackwood International while you sat in your study playing house with a nobody! Tell these men to unhand me this instant!"
Julian didn’t even turn to look at her. His cold, dark eyes were fixed on the double doors of the Emergency Operating Theater, where the red light glowed like a fresh wound.
"You didn't build this company, Genevieve," Julian’s voice was a low, terrifying rumble that silenced the murmuring board members behind him. "My grandfather built it. And in his final will, he bypassed you entirely. For seven years, you’ve acted as interim CEO while I operated from the shadows, evaluating whether you possessed the morality to lead this legacy. Today, you proved you aren't even fit to walk among decent human beings."
"She tripped!" Genevieve stammered, frantically turning to the Board of Directors—men and women who had dined at her estate just days ago. "She’s clumsy! She’s pregnant and unstable! It was an accident! Arthur, tell them! Marcus, speak for me!"
Not a single board member met her gaze. Arthur Sterling, the chief legal counsel, simply adjusted his glasses and stepped forward, handing a heavy leather binder to the Police Chief.
"These are the high-definition security feeds from the main stairwell of the Blackwood Estate," Arthur stated coldly. "Including the audio logs captured by the hidden smart-home sensors. The audio clearly captures Mrs. Blackwood’s ultimatum to the victim before placing the emergency call."
Genevieve’s face drained of all color. The smart sensors. She had forgotten that Julian had insisted on upgrading the estate’s security system three months ago.
"You trapped me," she whispered, her eyes wide with toxic realization. "You planned this! You knew!"
Julian finally turned his head, his gaze cutting through her like a blade. "I didn't plan for you to be a monster, Mother. I gave you every chance to accept my wife. You chose violence. Now, you will face the consequences."
"Wait!" she screamed as the cuffs clicked shut around her manicured wrists, digging into her skin. " Julian, the baby! If the baby dies, she has no hold on you! Think of the Vance family deal! Eleanor Vance is waiting for your call!"
"If my wife or my child suffers even a scratch of permanent damage," Julian whispered, leaning down until his lips were inches from her ear, "the prison you are going to won't have a VIP suite. I will ensure you rot in maximum security until your final breath."
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As the officers dragged Genevieve away, her heels scraping against the tile while her shrieks echoed down the corridor, the red light above the operating room suddenly began to flash wildly.
A nurse burst through the double doors, her scrubs covered in blood. "We need the lead surgeon! The patient's blood pressure is plunging, and the fetal heart rate is dropping!"
