Chapter 4 - The Kidnapping That Changed Everything
Adrian heard Eleanor scream.
He turned.
The chair where Theo had been sitting was empty.
For one terrible second, the world stopped.
Then Adrian moved.
He tore through the mansion.
“Lock every exit!”
His men flooded the halls.
Eleanor followed him barefoot.
“They took him.”
“I know.”
“They took my baby.”
“I'll get him back.”
“You said you would protect us.”
Adrian turned.
“I will.”
She struck his chest.
“You've been saying that since the night we met.”
He did not defend himself.
She hit him again.
“You promised me!”
“I know.”
Tears filled her eyes.
“Then bring him home.”
Adrian nodded once.
“I will.”
Marcus found a hidden tunnel beneath the kitchen.
Fresh footprints.
They followed it to the woods.
An abandoned van waited beyond the trees.
Inside was Theo’s sneaker.
Adrian picked it up.
His hand shook.
On the floor was a note.
STOP SEARCHING FOR THE PAST OR THE BOY DIES.
Adrian crushed the paper.
Eleanor saw something on the back.
“There.”
A symbol.
Three interlocking circles.
Celeste had mentioned it.
“The Blackwood Foundation.”
Marcus frowned.
“That symbol was retired twenty years ago.”
“Bring me everything you have.”
The investigation became ruthless.
Every account.
Every employee.
Every property.
Every shell corporation.
By dawn, they had one location.
An old private school outside Philadelphia.
It had closed years earlier.
Adrian drove there himself.
Eleanor insisted on coming.
“No.”
“You aren't leaving me here.”
“Eleanor—”
“It's my son.”
He looked into her eyes.
“You mean our son.”
She froze.
Adrian continued.
“You don't get to carry this alone anymore.”
For the first time, she didn't argue.
The school was abandoned.
Snow covered the courtyard.
A single light burned in the gym.
Adrian entered with six men.
No one spoke.
Then a projector switched on.
Footage appeared on the screen.
Theo sat in a chair.
Alive.
Terrified.
Across from him sat a man in his late sixties.
Silver hair.
Black suit.
A familiar face.
Adrian stared.
His grandfather.
“Hello, Adrian.”
His grandfather smiled.
“You were always slower than I hoped.”
Adrian's jaw clenched.
“Where is my son?”
“Safe.”
“If you touch him—”
“I have no desire to hurt him.”
“Then release him.”
“No.”
“Why?”
“Because he is the only person who can force this family to stop destroying itself.”
Adrian stared at the screen.
“Explain.”
His grandfather leaned back.
“Your father stole the family trust from me.”
Adrian frowned.
“You said it was inherited.”
“It was.”
“And you attacked your own son?”
“He betrayed the family.”
“You tried to kill me.”
“I tested you.”
Adrian almost laughed.
“You call seven years of blood and grief a test?”
“It was necessary.”
Eleanor stepped closer to the screen.
“You destroyed my life.”
The old man's eyes moved toward her.
“You were brave.”
“You turned my child into a target.”
“No. Adrian's existence did.”
Theo suddenly spoke.
“Are you my grandpa?”
The man smiled.
“Yes.”
“Then why are you scaring my mom?”
The smile disappeared.
Adrian felt something in his chest crack.
Theo continued.
“She cries when people talk about you.”
The old man's eyes narrowed.
“You should be afraid of this family.”
Theo shook his head.
“My mom says fear doesn't make you strong.”
Silence.
The old man looked at Adrian.
“She has taught him well.”
A voice came from behind Adrian.
“Enough.”
He turned.
Lucas Kane stood there.
Gun raised.
Everyone froze.
Lucas looked at Adrian.
“I didn't want this.”
“You kidnapped my son.”
“To save him.”
“From whom?”
Lucas pointed at the screen.
“Him.”
Adrian stared.
The old man laughed.
Lucas's face twisted.
“He has been manipulating the Blackwood empire for decades.”
“Why help us?”
“Because your father once saved my life.”
Lucas lowered his weapon.
“And I owed him.”
A gunshot came from above.
Lucas fell.
Adrian fired toward the balcony.
A shadow vanished.
Eleanor screamed.
Theo's image disappeared.
The old man's voice echoed through the speakers.
“You have twenty-four hours.”
The screen went black.
Marcus ran to Lucas.
He was still alive.
Barely.
Adrian crouched beside him.
“Where did they take Theo?”
Lucas whispered.
“Montreal.”
Adrian stared.
“Why Montreal?”
“Because the original trust documents are there.”
Eleanor stepped forward.
“What documents?”
Lucas looked at her.
“The birth registry.”
She frowned.
“What does Theo's birth have to do with the trust?”
Lucas closed his eyes.
“Everything.”
Before he lost consciousness, he said one final sentence.
“Your son is not just the Blackwood heir.”
Adrian leaned closer.
“What else is he?”
Lucas whispered:
“He is the legal owner of the part of the empire they have been fighting over.”
Eleanor stared.
“How?”
“Your marriage contract.”
Adrian stood slowly.
“What about it?”
Lucas smiled faintly.
“Your father wrote a succession clause.”
Eleanor's face went pale.
“Which says?”
May you like
Lucas barely had enough strength to answer.
“Whoever is born of Adrian and Eleanor inherits everything.”
