Chapter 4: The House of Cards
Three months later, the hunt reached its climax. Elena and Marcus had attempted to sell a proprietary pharmaceutical patent—one they had stolen from the Blackwood archives—to a rival conglomerate. They thought it was their ticket back to the top.
They had arranged a meeting in a high-stakes auction house in New York City. The air was thick with the scent of expensive cologne and desperation. But as they entered the grand hall, the doors locked behind them. The room was not filled with potential buyers, but with federal agents and the board of directors of Blackwood Industries.
Richard entered from the balcony, looking every bit the titan he was before the betrayal. He didn't say a word. He simply gestured to the massive digital screen on the wall, which began playing footage of the duo's secret meetings, their bank transfers, and, finally, the audio of them plotting Richard’s eventual "natural" passing.
The humiliation was total. As the handcuffs clicked shut on their wrists, the cameras of the press—tipped off by Clara—flashed in a rhythmic, blinding staccato. Elena looked into the crowd, seeking pity, but found only the cold, knowing smile of her stepdaughter. The trap had been set years ago; they had just walked into it with their eyes wide open.
