Chương 10 - the shadow across the ocean
Six months later, the bright summer sun shone warm and clear over the manicured lawns of the Blackwood estate.
A grand afternoon party was underway. Children played on the grass, classical music drifted through the open doors of the conservatory, and Chicago's top community leaders gathered to celebrate the official launch of the Noah Bennett Educational Foundation—a fifty-million-dollar charity established by Ethan and Claire to support underprivileged children across the Midwest.
Ethan stood near the stone balustrade overlooking Lake Michigan, wearing a crisp white linen shirt with the sleeves unbuttoned at his wrists, holding a glass of fresh lemonade. Beside him stood Claire in a bright yellow summer dress, looking radiant and completely at peace.
Down on the sunny lawn, seven-year-old Noah was running with a small golden retriever puppy Ethan had bought for his birthday, his bright laughter echoing warmly through the summer breeze.
Richard walked over, offering a warm smile to his son and daughter-in-law. "It's a perfect day, Ethan. The foundation is fully funded, and the board is more unified than it has been in twenty years."
"Thanks to you, Father," Ethan smiled, clinking his glass against Richard's.
Suddenly, a private security courier stepped onto the stone terrace, carrying a thick black envelope stamped with a heavy red wax seal. The courier walked straight up to Ethan, offering a respectful nod.
"Mr. Blackwood," the courier said softly. "This just arrived via express international courier from London. It was delivered directly to your personal assistant."
Ethan's smile faded slightly as he took the black envelope. He broke the heavy red wax seal and pulled out a single sheet of heavy parchment written in fine gold calligraphy.
Claire noticed the sudden shift in his posture and stepped closer, looking at the letter in his hand. "Ethan? What is it?"
Ethan slowly read the lines written across the parchment, his deep voice calm but echoing with a sudden, subtle edge of danger:
"To Ethan Blackwood: You cleared your house in Chicago and broke your alliance with Hale Holdings. But your late mother's secret trust in London belongs to the European Council. We are coming to claim what is ours."
Claire stared at the gold lettering, her brows furrowing with concern. "The European Council? Who are they?"
Ethan slowly folded the black parchment, placing it into his inner pocket. He looked out across the wide, sparkling blue expanse of Lake Michigan toward the distant horizon, a calm, unshakeable resolve settling into his dark eyes.
May you like
He reached out, taking Claire's hand in his broad palm, while down on the lawn, little Noah waved up at them with a wide, happy smile.
"They're just ghosts from the past, my love," Ethan whispered gently, kissing the top of her head as the warm summer breeze swept across the terrace. "And whatever comes next... we face it together."
