CHAPTER 9 — The Billionaire Who Attended His Own Funeral
The room went completely silent.
Dr. Howard Vance stared at the photograph on the wall, unable to stop shaking.
"Henry Blackwood never died."
Detective Miller frowned.
"That's impossible."
"We buried him fifteen years ago."
Dr. Vance laughed bitterly.
"No..."
"You buried someone else."
Thomas Brooks slowly stood.
"I knew it."
He reached into his metal box and removed an old newspaper clipping.
The headline read:
"Hospital Founder Dies in Private Plane Crash."
Thomas placed another photo beside it.
The wreckage.
No body.
No DNA confirmation.
Only a sealed coffin.
"The funeral was closed-casket," Thomas whispered.
"There was never proof Henry Blackwood was inside."
Sarah looked horrified.
"You mean... he faked his own death?"
Dr. Vance nodded.
"He disappeared because he knew the scandal would eventually surface."
"He created a new identity..."
"...and continued controlling the hospital from the shadows."
Just then...
Every television inside the hospital suddenly switched channels.
The same live broadcast appeared on every screen.
A luxury charity gala.
Hundreds of reporters.
Millionaires.
Politicians.
The host smiled into the camera.
"And now... please welcome the mysterious philanthropist who has donated over five billion dollars through anonymous foundations..."
An elderly man stepped onto the stage.
Perfect posture.
Silver hair.
Cold blue eyes.
Emily gasped.
Sarah dropped the remote.
Thomas whispered,
"Henry..."
The entire hospital watched in disbelief.
The man everyone believed had died fifteen years earlier...
...was accepting an award on live television.
But before anyone could react...
Henry looked directly into the nearest camera.
He smiled.
Then calmly said,
"I know you're watching, Emily."
The broadcast ended instantly.
The room erupted in panic.
Emily had never met Henry Blackwood.
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So how...
...did he know her name?
