Luka settled in his room alone, sitting on the edge of his bed as he thought deeply. After reading that letter, his mind couldn't be more troubled.
Royce had been his friend even before they joined Sky High University, and what had truly brought their tight friendship was the alliance between their two families.
It started with Silas Vane, Luka's father, and Gregory Kingsley, Royce's father, starting up a financial backup deal after they both founded their companies.
They happened to beco friends through that, and fortunately began to rise through the charts as ti went on.
Dramatically, it appeared that Gregory Kingsley began to grow more successful than Silas Vane, which only strengthened his influence and fa over the latter.
Kurtis was initially independent with his own company but soon decided to join his brother to create a stronger alliance.
Sure, Gregory Kingsley's alliance with the Vanes remained active, but there was a drastic change.
It was said that even when Silas and Kurtis joined forces together to form their Group, they still didn't reach 60% of Gregory Kingsley's wealth and success.
Slowly, Gregory Kingsley, as the strict and greedy man that he was, started withdrawing so business features he had with the Vanes. Although Luka didn't know this, he had clearly sensed so odd moods from his father after certain etings with the Kingsley Group board.
Gregory Kingsley wanted to be at the top alone, having the belief that he had higher ambitions of becoming one of the wealthiest n in the world.
Luka shook his head in confusion, his eyes faint.
"But why would they even attempt to face off with the Kingsleys? They can't even win," he muttered to himself.
The Kingsley Family was one of the strongest in Nortasia as a whole. With a net worth of up to 18 billion dollars, no one stood in their way in the entire Cloudbridge City...
Of course, there are other cities in New Wiston with a few wealthier families than the Kingsleys... For instance, the Frost Family. Heston Frost, an oil magnate and influential tycoon living in the neighboring Skyline City, has a net worth of up to 19 billion dollars.
Whatever the case, the Kingsleys were still considered one of the strongest, and no one dared to pick a fight with them.
Luka knew the level of risk his father and uncle might be planning to take, and this terrified him.
And the most disheartening part of it all was that he wouldn't be able to be with Emily Kingsley, Royce's sister, whom he had promised to marry.
In a mont, his phone buzzed as a call ca in. Luka saw that it was his uncle, his eyes sharpening.
"Hey, boy! You delivered it already?" Kurtis asked.
"Uh... Yes, Uncle. All good," Luka tried to sound composed.
"It's okay. I know you're worried, but I'd tell you not to be," Kurtis said calmly.
Luka's eyes widened a bit as he heard that. "What do you an, Uncle?"
"Co on, boy! Don't pretend like you don't know what I'm talking about. You're twenty-three, boy... You need to start acting like a man," Kurtis said.
"I... I don't understand you, Uncle," Luka remained confused for a while, but it wasn't as if he didn't know where the talk was going.
He definitely knew.
"The letter. I know you read it..." Kurtis said.
"I didn't!"
"Yes, you did. I know you, Luka. You might be brave, but you're still stubborn," he spoke with a free tone.
"My father told to be both brave and stubborn. Said it's a great combination," Luka said firmly.
"He didn't lie, Luka. And I'm glad you're taking it to heart," Kurtis comnded.
He paused for a mont and continued.
"Did you take so ti to imagine why I had to call you over before I could deliver sothing that important to your father?" Kurtis asked.
"I did... I..." Luka stamred.
"If I really wanted only him to know, I would've just visited him and discussed it with him, Luka..." Kurtis said.
"Wha... What do you an?" Luka's eyes glinted. "Were you trying to make know about it as well?"
"Yes, Luka..." Kurtis said and paused again before continuing. "You are the heir of your father. You are no longer a child, and you need to know our plans."
"Not just know, but be a part of them," Kurtis added.
"Whatever the plan is, I'm not interested!" Luka said.
"You can't say that to your father's face. Would you?" Kurtis asked.
Luka remained silent, a noticeable look of anger and frustration on his face.
"The Kingsleys betrayed us. I bla your father for not giving you details, but I've taken it upon myself to tell you."
"The Kingsleys dumped your father in the enforcent of the Grand Developnt Project and went ahead to submit the Proposal Docunts... You know Gregory is the only one with the privilege of the Ministry of Comrce, and that gave him the audacity to betray us after twenty-five years," Kurtis explained.
Luka's face turned dark the mont he heard that.
"What??? How is that possible? Why would he do that?" Luka's expression changed completely, understanding the gravity of the situation.
"Greed... As you can see. Only greed can lead to such actions, Luka," Kurtis replied.
"But... But we..."
"Sotis the things we least expect happen, Luka. No one would have expected that in the first place," Kurtis cut in. "Gregory Kingsley wants the glory all to himself. He wants to be at the top and is ready to step on anyone's head to get there."
Luka stayed speechless for quite a while, still confused and stunned... His feelings couldn't be entirely expressed.
Out of all problems, he didn't expect sothing like this to pop up.
"But I can't do anything... We can't do anything. Gregory has a strong relationship with the governnt. He's even the only man with the Ministry of Comrce's privilege card. How can we stop him?" Luka asked, doubtful.
"One way... You know that way, Luka," Kurtis said.
"I don't."
"Yes, you do," Kurtis sighed.
"To join us in this move and make Gregory Kingsley pay, and also take our chance in achieving what he has, you have to make your greatest enemy your best friend," Kurtis said.
"What? What enemy?" Luka couldn't follow, though deep down, he knew who was being referred to.
However, Kurtis was ready to say it, no matter how difficult it was to convince him.
"Jayden Cole... The son of Mr. Erson Cole. I'm aware he's your study mate, and that only makes it better. The job would be slightly easier," Kurtis said.
"Jayden can never be my friend. He's Royce's enemy... You..."
"You can't decide your enemy just because he's your friend's enemy. Royce's father is a traitor. You have to look past the friendship and do what is right," Kurtis warned.
Luka hesitated, shaking his head repeatedly.
"So how do I do it? I can't be Royce's friend anymore if I get close to Jayden," Luka said, worried.
"You are a man of your own, Luka. Don't let Royce's arrogant influence overshadow you. It'll only make you weak and foolish in the end..."
Luka suddenly thought about that and nodded... He seed to feel sothing that made sense.
"It's simple... There is only one way, Luka."
"Break your friendship with that traitor's son and make Jayden your best friend at any cost..."
"You really want to make your father proud? Then do this!"
BEEP!
{Call ended}
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[A/N: Thank you for reading! Let's also try to drop so more Golden Tickets and Power Stones for the book. It's fuels my motivation!]
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