The next morning, Damian Kingsley woke up to chaos.
His father, Charles Kingsley, was pacing the length of their grand estate's living room, his phone glued to his ear while his mother sat on the couch, looking pale and shaken. Their mansion, which had once been filled with the quiet confidence of old money, now carried an air of desperation.
Damian groggily stepped into the room, rubbing the sleep from his eyes. "What the hell is going on?"
His father snapped his gaze toward him, his face etched with frustration. "We're finished."
Damian frowned. "What do you mean, finished?"
Charles slammed his phone onto the table. "The board… the investors… the banks… Everyone is pulling out. Our stock value plummeted overnight. Someone just acquired controlling shares in Kingsley Corp."
Damian's stomach twisted. "Who?"
Charles gritted his teeth. "Blackwood."
Damian stilled. "Ethan Blackwood?"
His father gave a stiff nod. "He didn't just take over—he annihilated us. They bought out our key assets. Our investors turned on us. Our debts are being called in, and the board is already pushing to remove me as CEO."
Damian's hands clenched into fists. "Why would Blackwood target us?"
His mother spoke up, her voice trembling. "We tried to secure the engagement between you and Skylar… maybe someone didn't like that."
Damian's mind reeled. Blackwood was the most powerful corporate force in the country, feared and respected by all. But why the hell would they care about him or his engagement with Skylar?
His father ran a hand through his graying hair. "We're losing everything, Damian. The estates, the cars, the private jets—it's all being seized or sold off."
Damian's jaw tightened. "I won't accept this."
But even as he spoke, a sinking realization settled in his gut. He wasn't fighting a rival businessman. He was fighting a ghost—a power so overwhelming that resisting was futile.
And the worst part?
He had no idea why this was happening.
---
Chris Watches the Fall
Across the city, Chris sat in his penthouse, watching the news with quiet amusement.
The financial world was buzzing about the Kingsleys' downfall. Reports of stock crashes, asset liquidations, and corporate takeovers dominated the headlines. It was happening faster than even he anticipated.
Ethan stood beside him, arms crossed, a smirk tugging at his lips. "And just like that, the Kingsleys are done."
Chris exhaled, setting down his coffee. "It was inevitable."
Ethan chuckled. "You should have seen Damian's face when he heard the news. He's probably still trying to figure out what went wrong."
Chris leaned back. "Let him wonder. Let him think it was you. Blackwood will take the blame, and no one will suspect the truth."
Ethan tilted his head. "You really don't want anyone knowing you're behind this?"
Chris's gaze darkened. "No. The most dangerous power is the one that remains unseen."
Ethan nodded. "And Skylar?"
Chris's expression didn't change. "She'll figure it out soon enough."
Ethan smirked. "And when she does?"
Chris's lips curved into a knowing smile. "Then things will really get interesting."