Once I caught my breath, I began the arduous journey back to civilization. Each step through the underbrush was a reminder of my resilience, as well as a chance to plan my next move. I needed to act quickly, to reclaim not just my life but the control over my empire that my son and daughter-in-law had so callously tried to seize.

It took hours of trudging through the jungle before I finally reached a small village. The locals were kind, offering me food and a place to rest. In return, I promised them generous compensation, knowing that my access to funds was my lifeline. I borrowed a satellite phone and made the most important call of my life — to my trusted lawyer, who had been with me through every acquisition and merger.

“Douglas, it’s me,” I said, my voice steady despite the chaos of the day’s events. “I need you to initiate the contingency plan. Transfer the funds to the offshore accounts and freeze all family access. We’re going full lockdown mode. And Douglas, prepare for war.”