𝐕𝐞𝐢𝐥𝐞𝐝 𝐎𝐛𝐬𝐞𝐬𝐬𝐢𝐨𝐧

Chapter 42 : The Truth Revealed

Alexander

The air in the grand hall was electric, charged with a tension that made it feel as if the room itself was holding its breath. It was the night of the annual Blackwood Enterprises charity gala, an event that had always been about opulence and appearances, but tonight it would serve as the stage for something far more profound. I had carefully orchestrated this moment, knowing that the truth about my father’s death—and the true villain behind it—needed to be unveiled in a way that left no room for doubt.

Vivian Blackwood, my stepmother, had always been the epitome of grace and sophistication in the public eye. She was the image of elegance, her smile always perfectly poised, her demeanor always calm. But tonight, she would no longer be able to hide behind the facade she had so meticulously crafted. Tonight, the world would see her for who she truly was: a ruthless killer who had manipulated and deceived her way into power.

The ballroom was filled with guests, their chatter and laughter a distant murmur as I surveyed the scene from the balcony above. I had arranged for a live broadcast of the event, ensuring that the entire city—and anyone with an interest in the Blackwood family—would witness the unfolding drama. The press had been informed, and their cameras were ready to capture every moment of this revelation. I wanted to make sure that this wasn’t just a private affair but a public execution of Vivian’s carefully maintained image.

I glanced over at Scarlett, who stood beside me, her presence a comforting anchor amid the storm of emotions swirling inside me. Her eyes were filled with concern, but she stood tall, her resolve as unyielding as mine. Her support had been invaluable in the weeks leading up to this night, and I couldn’t have done it without her.

“Are you ready?” I asked her, my voice low but firm.

She nodded, her gaze steady. “I am. Let’s finish this.”

As the clock struck eight, the lights in the ballroom dimmed, and a hush fell over the crowd. A spotlight illuminated the stage at the far end of the room, and I made my way down the stairs to join the host of the evening—a well-known media personality who had agreed to help with the reveal. The host's voice rang out, cutting through the silence.

“Ladies and gentlemen, thank you for joining us this evening. Tonight, we have a special announcement, one that will change the way you see the Blackwood family forever.”

A murmur of curiosity rippled through the crowd. I took a deep breath, stepping forward to take the microphone from the host. The weight of the moment pressed heavily on my shoulders, but I squared my jaw and looked out at the sea of faces. Every single one of them would bear witness to the truth tonight.

“I appreciate everyone’s presence tonight,” I began, my voice carrying across the room. “What I’m about to reveal will challenge everything you think you know about the Blackwood family. For years, we’ve maintained a certain image, a narrative carefully crafted to obscure the truth. But tonight, the truth will be laid bare.”

The audience shifted, their anticipation palpable. I glanced over at Vivian, who stood near the front, her composure seemingly unshaken. Her gaze was icy, but I could see the flicker of unease behind her carefully constructed mask. She was a predator caught in the headlights, and it was only a matter of time before she was exposed.

“Many of you know that my father, James Blackwood, died in a tragic car accident,” I continued. “But what you don’t know is that the accident was no accident. It was a carefully orchestrated murder, designed to silence him and clear the way for the woman who would become my stepmother.”

Gasps rippled through the crowd. I could feel the weight of their collective shock, the realization dawning on them that they had been living a lie. I turned to Vivian, who now looked visibly shaken, her fingers gripping the edge of her chair.