The Thorne Heiress Unveiling Shadow novel Chapter 96

The single word from Kaelen, Ready, flashed on Evelyn's secure terminal. The connection was made. The trap was set. They both turned their full attention back to the main screen in the command center.

On the monitor, the secret meeting of the Silver Council was reaching its climax. Claudia Lancaster's face was flush with the thrill of her perceived victory. She believed she had successfully torn her enemies apart.

"The girl has done our work for us," Claudia announced, her voice smooth and confident. "Kaelen Blackwood is isolated. The Thorne family is in turmoil. They are fighting each other instead of us. They are wounded, and they are weak."

One of the shadowy figures on the screen, its voice a synthesized rasp, asked the critical question. "What is the final protocol, Commander?"

Claudia's smile was a terrifying, triumphant thing. "The final protocol is total annihilation," she said. "On Monday morning, at exactly 9:30 AM, when the stock market opens, we will strike. We will use the full weight of the Council's capital to launch a coordinated short-sell attack on both Thorne Group and Blackwood Industries."

She laid out the details with relish. "The market is already nervous because of the scandal and the breakup of their alliance. Our attack will create a panic. Investors will dump their stock. The value of both companies will be in freefall by noon."

She paused, savoring the moment. "By the end of the day, we will purchase a controlling interest in both empires for pennies on the dollar. We will absorb their assets, fire their employees, and dismantle their legacies, piece by piece."

The council members murmured their assent. They had granted her full command of their ancient, vast fortune for the attack. It was her reward.

"The Thorne and Blackwood names will be nothing but a footnote in the story of the Lancaster resurgence," she declared, raising a glass of champagne. "To victory."

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