And Victoria was not prepared to let him escape.
CHAPTER 7: THE WOMAN IN THE BLUE SUIT SPEAKS
The aircraft remained on the ground.
Richard’s pilot had been instructed to wait while the billionaire completed an urgent business conversation. But the conversation had become something far more complicated.
Victoria took a deep breath.
“I want you to understand something, Mr. Blackwood. I did not come here for money.”
Richard raised an eyebrow.
“Everyone comes here for something.”
“I came here for the truth.”
He laughed bitterly.
“And what will the truth give you? Your father is dead. Your career will be destroyed. You will become an enemy of powerful people.”
Victoria looked at him with quiet determination.
“Perhaps. But I will still be able to look at myself in the mirror.”
Richard studied her.
He had expected anger, desperation, or an attempt to negotiate. Instead, he found a woman who had already accepted the consequences of her decision.
That frightened him more than any threat.
Victoria continued.
“I have spent years watching people suffer because they were afraid to challenge those who had power over them. Your employees are afraid. Your investors are afraid. Even your executives are afraid.”
She placed her phone on the table.
“But fear does not make the truth disappear.”
Richard looked at the device.
His confidence began to weaken.
He finally understood that Victoria was not asking him to admit his wrongdoing because she believed he would suddenly become a better person.
She was giving him one final opportunity to choose.
To continue protecting his empire.
Or to stop destroying the lives of others.
CHAPTER 8: THE EVIDENCE THAT COULD DESTROY A BILLIONAIRE
Victoria removed several pages from the folder.
Each page contained financial records connected to Blackwood International’s hidden accounts. The transactions had been carefully organized, cross-referenced, and verified by independent analysts.
Richard examined the documents.
His face grew pale.
“You obtained these from our internal system?”
“Some of them,” Victoria replied. “Others came from people who are tired of living with what you did.”
Richard looked up sharply.
“Who?”
Victoria did not answer.
She knew that revealing her sources would place them in danger.
Instead, she explained that the evidence had already been delivered to investigators, journalists, and an independent legal team.
Richard’s hands trembled.
“You have no idea what you have started.”
“I know exactly what I have started.”
He leaned back, trying to regain control.
“Do you think the world will believe you? I have spent forty years building relationships. People trust me.”
Victoria’s expression became serious.
“People trusted my father, too. You destroyed that trust because you thought nobody would question you.”
She paused.
“Now, the question is not whether people will believe me. The question is whether you are prepared to face what they will discover.”
Richard stared at the documents.
For decades, he had believed that his wealth made him untouchable.
Now, the evidence was proving that wealth could not erase responsibility.
The empire he had built was beginning to collapse under the weight of its own secrets.
CHAPTER 9: THE PHONE RINGS AGAIN
Richard’s phone vibrated.
He glanced at the screen and immediately answered.
“Jonathan, what is happening?”
The response was frantic.
Several journalists had begun asking questions about the company’s financial transactions. An independent investigation had been announced, and senior executives were receiving requests for interviews.
Richard’s face tightened.
“Stop them,” he ordered.
Jonathan hesitated.
“Sir, we may not be able to.”
Richard stood up and began pacing through the cabin.
Victoria watched silently.
The billionaire who had once commanded entire boardrooms was now struggling to control a crisis that had escaped his influence.
“Who leaked the information?” Richard demanded.
Jonathan’s voice became quieter.
“Some of the executives are cooperating with investigators.”
Richard froze.
His own people were turning against him.
For years, he had maintained loyalty through fear, financial incentives, and promises of protection. But now that his empire was threatened, those same people were choosing survival over obedience.
He ended the call and looked at Victoria.
“You have destroyed everything.”
Victoria shook her head.
“No. I have revealed what was already broken.”
Richard stared at her.
Outside the aircraft, airport personnel continued their ordinary duties. Cars moved across the runway, and passengers boarded other flights.
The world had not stopped because a billionaire was losing control.
And for the first time, Richard understood how small his power truly was.
CHAPTER 10: THE CONFESSION
The silence inside the aircraft became unbearable.
Richard returned to his seat and lowered his head.
For several minutes, he said nothing.
Victoria waited.
She had expected him to threaten her again, perhaps offer money, or attempt to manipulate the situation. Instead, the man who had spent his life controlling others appeared exhausted.
Finally, he spoke.
“Your father asked me to reconsider.”
Victoria’s eyes widened.
“What?”
Richard looked at the photograph on the table.