Chapter 4 - The House of Cards

At 6:00 AM, the grand dining room of the Blackwood estate was quiet except for the clinking of silver cutlery.

Julian Montigue—a man in his late fifties with silver hair, a crisp silk tie, and an arrogant demeanor—sat at the long mahogany table, sipping black coffee. He had arrived expecting a victory celebration; Serena had texted him the previous night claiming the Blackwood estate was effectively under her control.

Instead, Victor sat at the head of the table, cutting a piece of rare steak.

"Where is Serena, Victor?" Julian asked, setting his porcelain cup down. "She didn't answer her phone this morning. We were supposed to finalize the port merger contracts today."

Victor set his knife down with a soft clink.

"Serena is indisposed, Julian," Victor replied calmly. "She had a sudden medical emergency."

Julian’s eyes narrowed slightly. "What kind of emergency?"

Victor didn't answer. He signaled to Mikhail, who stood near the doors.

Mikhail pressed a button on a remote. A massive hidden projection screen descended over the oil paintings on the far wall.

The video of Serena breaking Ethan's arm and kicking Lily began to play on a twenty-foot display, complete with crystal-clear audio of Ethan’s agony and Serena’s cold threats: "Nobody cares about a nobody like you."

Julian’s face went from pale to chalk white. His hands began to tremble on the tablecloth.

"This... this is a misunderstanding, Victor," Julian stammered, his regal composure evaporating. "Serena is young... she has a temper... we can arrange compensation! Extra port rights! Ten percent of our gaming revenue!"

Victor stood up slowly, leaning over the table.

"Your daughter broke the arm of a fourteen-month-old infant," Victor said, his voice ringing like a funeral bell. "And you offer me ten percent of your gaming revenue?"

"Victor, please! We are business partners!"

"The partnership ended the moment her heel touched my son," Victor said. He motioned to the doors, which swung open to reveal two federal prosecutors and six heavily armed state police officers.

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"Julian Montigue," the lead prosecutor announced, stepping forward. "You are under arrest for grand conspiracy, illegal wiretapping, corporate espionage, and accessory to aggravated child abuse."

Julian dropped his coffee cup, smashing it across the white tablecloth as officers tackled him to the floor.