Page 172 of Unholy Obsession

I tilt my head, smiling slightly. “Want has nothing to do with it.”

The fire crackles. The wine knocked over earlier still bleeds across the tablecloth. The wolves are restless, snapping their teeth, realizing too late that the hunt is already over.

I have everything.

And they havenothing.

I let them stew in it. Let the weight of their loss settle and their desperation sink into their bones.

Then I break the silence.

I push back from the table, slow and deliberate, and glance at Rotterdam. “You know,” I say, amused, “you’re right that Father only ever hired thebest.”

Rotterdam, professional to his core, does not react, but I see the flicker of dry amusement in his eyes.

I swirl my whiskey, watching it catch the firelight. “And as luck would have it, he wasrightabout that. Which is why, asof today, Rotterdam is no longerourfather’s lawyer.” I lean forward, placing my glass down with a measuredclink. “He’smine.”

The eruption is immediate. Reactions explode around the table again. Only Miriam just studies me quietly, her eyes narrowing like she’s recalibrating everything she thought she knew.

Moira shifts beside me. I don’t look at her. Not yet.

Instead, I nod to Rotterdam. “Read it.”

Rotterdam clears his throat, straightens his cuffs, and flips to a fresh set of documents. “As the sole heir of Bradley Blackwolf’s estate, Bane Blackwolf has allocated the following financial distribution.”

The room quiets immediately and holds its breath.

Rotterdam continues, voice unshaken. “Each legally recognized child of Bradley Blackwolf is to receive a payout of one billion dollars.”

Charles stills, Simon’s mouth parts slightly, and Gabriella, for the first time all evening, looksgenuinelysurprised.

Rotterdam barely pauses before continuing. “Each partner who maintained a domestic relationship with Bradley Blackwolf for six years or more is to receive a payment of fifty million dollars.”

Miriam’s grip tightens on her wine glass. She lived with my father for eight. I don’t miss the way her lips part slightly or the way she catches herself before reacting.

“I, Bane Blackwolf, will retain one billion dollars for myself.” Rotterdam turns the page. “The remainder of the estate and holdings will be transferred to an investment portfolio to be donated to charitable organizations both of my choosing and by a board I will personally appoint to determine further allocations.”

Rotterdam folds his hands neatly over the documents. “This offer expires in one hour.”

A breath of silence.

Then, the roomerupts.

“You’re out of yourmind.” Simon’s voice is incredulous, but beneath it, greed hums like a second heartbeat. Hewantsthe deal. Theyalldo.

“Only abilliondollars.” Charles’s voice is furious. “You’d really cheat me out of?—”

“Yes.” My tone is final. “Take it. Don’t take it. It makes no difference to me.” I lean back in my chair, tapping my fingers idly against the glass. “But let me be very clear: once the hour is up, the offer is gone.” I let the words settle before delivering the final blow. “And you go back to gettingnothing. Feel free to ask questions.”

Miriam exhales slowly, setting her wine glass down. Her nails click against the crystal. “You’re enjoying this.”

I tilt my head, considering her. “That,” I murmur, “is not a question.”

A muscle in her jaw flexes.

Gabriella laughs, the sound rich with somethingalmostadmiring. “Well,” she says, lifting her glass. “I’ll drink to that.”

But Charles—Charles is calculating. Simon is vibrating with barely contained fury. And Moira, beside me, is watchingeverything.

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