Chapter 20 - The Empire BurnsThe Foundation collapsed within forty-eight hours.
Files were leaked.
Accounts were frozen.
Secret agreements became public.
Politicians resigned.
Executives disappeared.
The Blackwell empire was dismantled piece by piece.
Marcus watched from the roof of the mansion.
Fire burned across the horizon.
Thorne approached.
"It's over."
Marcus shook his head.
"No."
Thorne frowned.
"What?"
Marcus looked at the ocean.
"Evelyn escaped."
"You're sure?"
Marcus held up a photograph.
Evelyn.
Standing beside an airplane.
Taken twenty minutes earlier.
Thorne swore.
Marcus looked toward the sunrise.
"Then it's not over."
Behind him, Mia appeared.
"Daddy?"
Marcus turned.
He smiled.
"I'm here."
She took his hand.
For the first time in years, Marcus felt something resembling peace.
Then his phone rang.
Unknown number.
He answered.
Silence.
Then a child's voice.
"Uncle Marcus?"
Marcus froze.
The voice continued.
"Mommy says you need to come home."
Marcus looked at Thorne.
"Who is this?"
The child giggled.
"Your other daughter."
The call ended.
Marcus stood motionless.
Thorne stared at him.
"What did you hear?"
Marcus slowly lowered the phone.
His face had gone pale.
Then a message appeared.
YOU ONLY FOUND HALF THE FAMILY.
A second message followed.
THE OTHER HALF IS COMING FOR YOU.
Marcus looked toward the burning Blackwell mansion.
Somewhere beyond the ocean, another Blackwell secret was waking.
And this time—
May you like
It wasn't waiting to be found.
It was coming home.
