The revelation of the ring had left everyone in stunned silence. Isabella sat frozen, staring at the inscription she couldn't see but would never forget: To Isabella. Always.
Marcus was the first to recover. Of course he was.
"This changes nothing," he said, his voice cutting through the heavy quiet. "Romantic gestures aside, Blackwood Global needs leadership. Liam is incapacitated. The board needs to act."
"Act?" Ethan turned on his uncle. "He's been in surgery for six hours. Can you at least wait until—"
"The market opens in nine hours," Marcus interrupted, checking his watch. "Stockholders are already panicking over news of the accident. We need a statement. We need a plan. We need someone in control before this becomes a crisis that costs us billions."
"Liam will recover," Margaret said, but her voice lacked conviction.
