The Blackwood family, long seen as untouchable, had a reputation that preceded them. They were ruthless, calculating, and incredibly powerful. Their reach stretched across the globe, from organized crime syndicates to legitimate businesses, from underground operations to the highest offices of government. The Blackwoods were a force to be reckoned with, and Vincent's potential to inherit the throne was once seen as a given.
Yet, now, with Vincent's disappearance, many were beginning to wonder if the Blackwoods had chosen the wrong heir.
The whispers surrounding the family grew louder by the day. Some speculated that Vincent's older brother, who had been chosen to lead the Blackwood empire, was unfit for the role. Vincent's brother had always been seen as the more traditional heir—his charisma and ability to manage people made him a natural leader in the eyes of their father. But his IQ and his strategic vision were no match for Vincent's.
When word spread that Vincent had left the Blackwood empire, it was impossible to ignore the speculation that their father, the King of Mafias, had forced his son to abandon his rightful place. Some suggested that Vincent's refusal to take the role of heir was a silent rebellion against his father's rigid, brutal way of life, a refusal to inherit a legacy steeped in blood and secrecy.
And yet, even as the rumors swirled about Vincent's departure, a curious shift in the upper circle took place. The Vasiliev family's business was thriving—no longer just the richest family in the world, but now a global empire that had twice the strength and reach it had before. And at the heart of this transformation was Vincent.
The whispers that had once mocked Vincent's decision now became praise. "If only the Blackwoods had kept their eyes on the prize," one business magnate whispered at a private dinner. "Look at what Vincent has done in just a few short months. He has made the Vasilievs' fortune grow beyond anyone's wildest dreams. Imagine what he could've done with his own family's wealth."
Others chimed in, amazed at how quickly Vincent had taken the reins at Vasiliev Enterprises and transformed it into an indomitable force. The Blackwood empire, despite all its wealth, was now seen as a distant second compared to the success of the Vasilievs. The upper circle couldn't help but wonder: Had the Blackwoods been blind to Vincent's potential? Had they made a terrible mistake in choosing his older brother to inherit the family legacy? Was it Vincent, with his unmatched brilliance, who should have led the Blackwood empire all along?
These questions echoed in the halls of power. The gossip was relentless, yet despite all the chatter, none of it was ever spoken aloud in public. No one dared to directly challenge the Blackwood family—after all, the King of Mafias was not a man to be trifled with. But behind closed doors, the truth was clear to those who truly understood the shifting tides of power.