CHAPTER 208: CHAPTER 208 FUNERAL OF POWER

Serena’s POV

I stood in the sprawling garden of the Blackwood estate, watching the parade of black limousines pull into the driveway. Evelyn’s funeral was a spectacle that would have made the old woman herself raise an eyebrow—too ostentatious, too performative, too... Kane.

"This is ridiculous," I whispered to Ryan, adjusting my black maternity dress that barely contained my growing belly. "She would have hated this circus."

Ryan’s jaw tightened as he surveyed the scene.

Nearly every important business figure in the city had arrived, not to mourn Evelyn but to witness the power shift happening before their eyes. The funeral had morphed into a grotesque networking event, with Kane holding court from his wheelchair like a king on a throne.

The service itself was coldly efficient—expensive flowers, rehearsed eulogies, and not a genuine tear in sight. I found myself blinking back tears, not for the ceremony but for the woman I once knew, who deserved better than this mockery.

When Kane wheeled himself to the podium afterward, I felt Ryan tense beside me.

"My beloved mother," Kane began, his voice dripping with fabricated grief, "left explicit instructions about her final wishes... and about her legacy."

My hand found Ryan’s, squeezing tightly as Kane unfurled an official-looking document.

"As her only living son, I am honored to announce that my mother has entrusted me with a significant portion of her Blackwood shares, making me the second-largest shareholder in the company our family built."

A collective gasp rippled through the attendees. I watched their expressions transform—confusion, calculation, opportunity. It was like watching sharks scent blood in the water.

"My nephew Ryan has done an... adequate job as CEO," Kane continued, his smile not reaching his eyes. "But my mother clearly wanted a system of checks and balances. Family oversight, if you will."

Ryan remained stone-faced, but I could feel the fury radiating from him. His hand squeezed mine so tightly it almost hurt.

"This isn’t a funeral," I muttered. "It’s a coup."

After the announcement, we were forced to endure a reception that felt more like a victory celebration for Kane. Business associates who had practically genuflected before Ryan days earlier now flocked to Kane’s side, offering condolences that sounded suspiciously like congratulations.

"Look at them all," I said with disgust as we sat at our isolated table. "Switching allegiances faster than changing underwear."

Ryan didn’t respond, his eyes fixed on Kane across the room.

"Ryan?" I nudged him gently. "Are you okay?"

"I should have dealt with him years ago," he finally said, his voice low and dangerous. "This is my fault."

Before I could respond, Lucian West appeared, sliding smoothly into the chair across from us. I stiffened immediately—his presence here was unexpected and concerning.

"Mr. Blackwood, my condolences," he offered with practiced sympathy, before his gaze cut to Kane’s wheelchair-bound figure surrounded by sycophants. "Quite the performance, isn’t it?"

"What do you want, West?" Ryan’s tone was glacial.

Lucian’s eyes flickered between us before landing on Kane. "A cripple with delusions of grandeur. No matter how many shares he has, he’ll never command true respect."

I narrowed my eyes. "Weren’t you working with Kane just last month, Mr. West?"

"The single most idiotic decision of my business career," he replied without hesitation. "But then again, Mr. Blackwood here hasn’t been particularly brilliant either, allowing that viper to survive this long."

Ryan’s face darkened dangerously. "You’re criticizing my business decisions at my grandmother’s funeral?"

"I’m pointing out that we share a common problem," Lucian countered smoothly. "One that’s currently holding court like he’s won the war rather than a single battle."

The tension between the men was palpable as they locked eyes in silent communication. Something unspoken passed between them—an understanding, perhaps even an alliance forming.

Lucian rose to leave after a few moments. "Interesting funeral. I wonder if the old lady would approve of her son using her death as his coronation ceremony."

After he departed, I turned to Ryan. "What was that about?"

"It seems West has discovered something about Kane that’s made him reconsider their partnership," Ryan replied, a calculating gleam in his eyes.

"The enemy of my enemy," Ryan murmured, his eyes still tracking Lucian across the room.

The reception had devolved into something resembling a cocktail party by now, with Kane at the center of attention. The sight was sickening—Evelyn’s photo watching over a room where her death had become a mere backdrop for business machinations.

"Let’s go," Ryan said suddenly, standing up. "This farce has gone on long enough."

I nodded gratefully, more than ready to escape the suffocating atmosphere of false grief and naked ambition.

As we made our way toward the exit, Kane noticed our departure. He raised his champagne glass in a mocking toast, his smile cold and triumphant.

"Leaving so soon, nephew? The party’s just getting started," he called out, loud enough to draw attention.

Ryan stopped walking. I tugged his arm urgently. "Ryan, don’t. It’s what he wants."

But Ryan turned slowly, facing his uncle with deadly calm. "Enjoy your moment, Kane. It won’t last."

Kane’s smile widened. "On the contrary. This is just the beginning of my restoration. Your grandmother finally recognized who truly deserves to lead the Blackwood legacy."

"My grandmother was manipulated by you in her final days," Ryan replied, his voice carrying across the now-silent room. "But make no mistake—a wheelchair-bound snake with delusions of adequacy will never run my company."

Gasps echoed through the crowd. Kane’s face contorted with rage.

"You arrogant little—"

"Remember your blood pressure, Uncle," Ryan cut him off with mock concern. "Wouldn’t want another Blackwood funeral so soon."

He turned to me, offering his arm with cool formality that belied the storm in his eyes. "Shall we, Mrs. Blackwood?"

As we walked out, I felt Kane’s venomous gaze burning into my back.

"You realize you just declared war," I whispered once we were outside.

"He declared war the moment he manipulated my dying grandmother," Ryan replied grimly. "I’m simply acknowledging the battlefield."

In the car, Ryan’s façade finally cracked. His knuckles whitened as he gripped the steering wheel, his breathing ragged.

"I’m going to destroy him, Serena. Completely and utterly."

"We," I corrected firmly, placing my hand over his. "We are going to destroy him."