My husband’s last wish was to become an organ donor—but after he passed away, his doctor hurried after me and said, “There’s something Mark made me promise not to give you until after he was gone.”

I held my newborn daughter tightly against my chest, shielding her tiny body with my own.

Richard stood over us, his expensive designer suit completely out of place in the ruined cabin.

Julian slowly raised his hands in surrender, staring at his older brother with absolute hatred.

"Let them go, Richard," Julian demanded through gritted teeth.

"You already have the syndicate, and Dad is getting his heart from someone else."

Richard laughed, a cruel sound that mirrored his mother's complete lack of empathy.

"Dad is not getting a new heart, Julian."

"The hospital helicopter mysteriously crashed into Lake Michigan thirty minutes ago."

My blood ran completely cold as I realized they had murdered the transport pilots just to spite Mark.

"So, unfortunately, the old man is going to die tonight," Richard continued smoothly.

"Which means I am officially the new head of the Sterling empire."

Richard pointed the silver gun away from Julian and aimed it directly at me.

"But the corporate board requires a unanimous family vote to transfer the legal assets."

"Since Mark is dead, his voting rights automatically transfer to his legal wife and his legitimate heir."

Richard pulled a heavily folded legal document from his jacket pocket and tossed it onto the bed.

"Sign the corporate proxy over to me, Sally."

"If you sign it, I will let you and the brat walk out of these woods alive."

"If you refuse, I will kill Julian, kill you, and raise the child as my own loyal puppet."

I stared at the legal document resting on the bloodstained blanket.

I knew that giving Richard total control of a billion-dollar criminal empire would condemn thousands of innocent people to suffering.

But looking down at the beautiful, innocent face of my newborn daughter, I knew I had absolutely no choice.

"I will sign it," I whispered, feeling completely broken and defeated.

Julian shook his head frantically.

"Sally, do not do it, he will kill us anyway the moment he has the power!"

Richard smiled wickedly and handed me an expensive gold pen.

"Do not listen to the crazy brother, Sally."

I took the pen, my hand trembling as I prepared to sign away Mark's final legacy.

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She found her husband with another woman and walked away so quietly that...

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But as the pen touched the paper, I noticed a tiny, glowing red light blinking on the collar of Richard's jacket.

It was a live federal audio transmitter.

Chapter 7 - The Ultimatum