Third Person POV

The conference room at Blackwood Dominion Enterprises was unusually crowded that morning.

The group’s top executives, board members, and major shareholders had all gathered.

Although it was officially a shareholders’ meeting, everyone knew the true purpose of today’s gathering.

Rosalind Blackwood’s will.

Ever since the late Chairwoman’s passing, uncertainty had loomed over the company. The recent change in leadership, coupled with the company’s declining stock prices, had left everyone anxious about the future.

To the shareholders, however, the cause of Rosalind’s death was far less important than what would happen to the shares she left behind.

Blackwood Dominion was not an ordinary corporation.

Despite being publicly listed, it remained a family-controlled empire. Most of the company’s shares were held by members of the Blackwood family, while outside shareholders collectively controlled less than half.

And among all shareholders, no one had possessed more influence than Rosalind Blackwood.

Now that she was gone, everyone wanted to know who would inherit that power.

The prominent members of the Blackwood family were already seated.

Steve Blackwood sat quietly near the front.

Angela Blackwood, who rarely involved herself in company affairs, had also made an appearance.

Tristin Blackwood, the current CEO, occupied the seat at the head of the table.

The moment Angela saw him, she scoffed openly.

"Tristin, your methods are certainly impressive."

Her voice was sharp enough for everyone nearby to hear.

"If it weren’t for the company’s official announcement, I wouldn’t have even known the CEO had suddenly been replaced."

The room instantly fell silent.

Tristin lowered his eyes.

The guilt he had been carrying since everything happened weighed heavily on him.

Yet Angela wasn’t interested in hearing an explanation.

She simply walked past him and took her seat.

Everyone knew how much Angela favored Alexander.

Even though Tristin was also her nephew, she had never hidden her displeasure over the events that led to Alexander’s resignation.

Once everyone was seated, the company’s legal representative stood.

Without wasting time, he opened a folder and adjusted his glasses.

"We will now proceed with the reading of the late Chairwoman Rosalind Blackwood’s will."

The room immediately grew quiet.

"The will covers all assets owned by the deceased, including bank accounts, real estate holdings, vehicles, company shares, and other investments."

"Today, however, we will focus solely on the distribution of shares related to Blackwood Dominion Enterprises."

The lawyer paused briefly before continuing. 𝕗𝐫𝚎𝗲𝘄𝐞𝕓𝐧𝕠𝘃𝕖𝐥.𝐜𝚘𝚖

"Before we begin, I would like to request the presence of Mrs. Alicia Sinclair, the late Chairwoman’s adopted granddaughter."

The room instantly erupted into whispers.

Several shareholders exchanged confused glances.

Angela was the first to speak.

"Why is Alicia’s presence necessary?"

Her brow furrowed.

"As you’ve already stated, she’s only an adopted member of the family."

The lawyer remained calm.

"The will specifically states that Mrs. Alicia Sinclair must be present during this portion of the reading."

He glanced around the room.

"If Mrs. Sinclair is present, please identify yourself."

Before anyone could respond, Jane stepped forward and whispered something into his ear.

The lawyer’s expression shifted slightly before he nodded.

"I see."

He cleared his throat.

"Due to Mrs. Sinclair’s current condition, she will not be attending today’s meeting."

Several people immediately understood.

After all, news of Alicia’s pregnancy was no longer a secret within the Blackwood family.

The lawyer continued.

"Miss Jane will be representing both Mrs. Sinclair and Mr. Alexander Blackwood."

The whispers intensified.

Even Tristin looked surprised.

The lawyer ignored the reactions and finally opened the will.

"The distribution of Chairwoman Rosalind Blackwood’s thirty percent shareholding is as follows."

Everyone unconsciously sat straighter.

The room became completely silent.

"Five percent shall be transferred to Mrs. Alicia Sinclair."

For a moment, nobody reacted.

Then the entire room exploded.

"What?"

"Five percent?"

"Did I hear that correctly?"

The executives stared at one another in disbelief.

Even Angela looked stunned.

Alicia receiving company shares?

And not a small amount either.

Five percent of Blackwood Dominion was enough to place her among the company’s most influential shareholders.

The lawyer continued before anyone could interrupt.

"Three percent shall be transferred to Mr. Steve Blackwood."

Steve remained calm.

"Three percent shall be transferred to Miss Angela Blackwood."

Angela frowned but said nothing.

"And the remaining nineteen percent shall be transferred to Mr. Alexander Blackwood."

Silence.

Complete silence.

This time, even the shareholders were too shocked to speak.

Nineteen percent.

Combined with the shares Alexander already owned, he would immediately become the largest shareholder in Blackwood Dominion Enterprises.

For a brief moment, nobody spoke.

The future of Blackwood Dominion had just been decided.

The lawyer calmly closed the document.

"The remaining assets outlined within the will will be distributed separately and are not relevant to today’s proceedings."

"This will has been notarized and legally registered. Anyone who wishes to verify its authenticity may do so through the appropriate legal channels."

The room slowly descended into chaos.

Steve understood his mother’s intentions immediately.

She had always placed the company’s future above everything else.

And regardless of recent events, no one was more capable of protecting Blackwood Dominion than Alexander.

As for the additional shares Steve himself had received, he wasn’t particularly concerned.

He had his own business and had never been interested in becoming Chairman.

Angela’s thoughts were similar.

What puzzled her wasn’t Alexander’s inheritance.

That part made perfect sense.

What she couldn’t understand was why her mother had left Alicia five percent of the company.

Such a significant amount couldn’t have been given without a reason.

Across the room, Tristin quietly released a breath.

For the first time in days, he felt some of the weight on his shoulders ease.

After everything that had happened, perhaps this was the outcome the company needed.

Alexander had built Blackwood Dominion into what it was today.

It was only natural that the company would eventually find its way back to him.

Not everyone shared Tristin’s relief.

Miles Harper sat frozen in his seat.

A cold sweat formed on his back.

Unlike everyone else, he understood exactly what this announcement meant.

Alexander Blackwood was no longer simply a former CEO.

He was now the largest shareholder.

The future Chairman.

The very man Miles had helped remove.

His face gradually paled.

Meanwhile, discussions broke out throughout the room.

Some were shocked by Alexander’s inheritance.

Others were focused on Alicia’s unexpected shares.

Questions and assumptions spread like wildfire among the executives and shareholders.

Yet the two people at the center of all those discussions,

Alexander and Alicia

were completely unaware of the storm that had just begun.