6
The meeting lasted for three solid hours.
By the end, everyone looked like they’d just survived a battle. They were exhausted, but there was a new look in their eyes. It wasn’t just fear anymore. It was respect.
I stood up. “Meeting adjourned. I want solutions for every issue we discussed on my desk by noon tomorr- ow. I want action plans with names and deadlines. If you can’t do it, I’ll find someone who can.
“Yes, Mr. Blackwood!” The response was crisp and unified.
I walked out of the conference room, bypassing my own office and heading straight to my assistant’s desk.
“Find me a new apartment.”
“Downtown. Top–tier security, maximum privacy. I need to move in tonight. Anything useful from the family
estate, have it packed and sent over. The rest, throw it out.”
My assistant stared at me. “Sir? You’re not going back to the mansion?”
2/15
12.31
12:31
Chapter 2
“That’s my father’s house, not mine. I have no desire to live with any member of that family right now.” I loo- ked at him. “Understood?”
“Understood!” He started scribbling notes. “I’ll get right on it!”
“One more thing,” I added. “Change all my passwords, the locks, the security systems. Especially at the ma- nsion. I want a full sweep. I don’t want anyone getting near my personal space without my permission. Any-
one.”
“Does that include your father, Evelyn, and Miss Sterling?” he asked tentatively.
“That includes everyone,” I said, my voice leaving no room for argument.
“Yes, sir!”
The comments were still in a state of confusion.
【He’s moving out? A complete separation??]
[Is he trying to become a lone wolf?]
[I feel like something big is about to happen.]
[Am I reading a tragic romance or a corporate thriller? I’m actually kind of enjoying this?)
With that settled, I returned to my vast, empty office. Outside the floor–to–ceiling windows, the city skyline
was bathed in the golden light of sunset.
I stood by the window, watching the traffic flow below.
As for the comments? They were still scrolling across my vision.
[What’s he doing standing by the window? Trying to look deep?]
[He’s regretting it! He must be regretting not fighting for Evelyn!)
[I bet you fifty bucks he’s about to call her!]
【Classic scumbag move! Pretending to be distant to lure her back in!]
I watched the words float by and just shook my head with a silent laugh. A bunch of losers, finding meaning
by watching a fictional drama because their own lives were empty.
Pathetic.
I felt the USB drive my assistant had handed me earlier in my pocket. I pulled out my phone, found a conta-
ct, and dialed.
“Mr. Davis,” I said calmly. “I need you to set up a personal trust fund for me. I want all my personal assets-
property, stocks, investments, everything outside of my direct holdings in Blackwood Corp–transferred into it. I will be the sole trustee and beneficiary. I want it completely firewalled from the Blackwood family esta-
3/15
12:31
12.31 C
Chapter 2
te.”
There was a moment of silence on the other end. Then the lawyer’s voice, now much more serious, came through. “Understood, Mr. Blackwood. I’ll handle the legal framework and have the documents ready for your signature by ten a.m. tomorrow.”
“Good.” I hung up.
The last rays of sun sank below the skyscrapers, leaving the city glittering like a sea of stars.
I watched the lights come on, and for a moment, the comments in my vision froze.
[A trust? Separating his assets? With himself as the sole beneficiary???】
[What is he doing? Writing his own will??)]
[Is he really planning to go it alone forever?]
[Does Evelyn know he’s locking away all his money?!)
【Well, so much for the groveling arc. He’s not even playing the game!]
