Three weeks later….

Lucien twirled a pen between his fingers, lost in thought as he sat in his expansive office. Anger simmered beneath the surface, but no one around him seemed to notice, or dare to.

His employees had been walking on eggshells ever since he arrived at work, maybe even since they’d started working for him. They feared his temper, his constant scowl, and the way he never smiled.

To them, it seemed like nothing in his life could ever be good, and they didn’t understand him at all. They barely knew him, and yet, they wouldn’t dream of asking.

"S…s…sir.”

“What?!” Finn snapped without looking up.

His secretary swallowed hard, trembling. “Uh… the dividends from Westbridge Foods and Sterling Enterprises have been sent, sir.”

Luc stopped twirling the pen and let it clatter onto the desk. “Just them?”

His green eyes darkened as they met hers.

“Yes, sir,” she said, lowering her gaze. “I’ve already sent reminder notices to the other companies. I’m confident they’ll respond shortly.”

Luc let out a sharp, disgusted scoff. “I didn’t know they needed reminders. Seems like some people are forgetting who they work for.”

A small sigh escaped his secretary. “Sir… I also need to inform you that Hawthorne Construction is underperforming. Their stock value is dropping.”

“And why? Since when?” Luc asked, irritation flickering across his face. He hadn’t been keeping close tabs.

"I was just informed, sir, but it seems the problem started about two weeks ago,” his secretary said quickly, trying to protect herself from blame.

“Two weeks, huh? What is the reason?”

"It began as a personal issue, sir. Apparently, he was involved in a secret affair that his wife eventually discovered. It caused a scandal, and somehow the story went public, which led to his stocks plummeting. He thought he could manage it, but the company started underperforming, and shareholders are questioning his ability to lead.” She glanced at him, seeing that he was listening intently. “He needs help, sir.”

"I have more than ten companies under my control,” Luc said, frowning, “and only two have transferred my dividends? And you’re giving me some weak excuse for why one of them hasn’t?”

His secretary lowered her eyes, her heart suddenly began to beat. She just couldn't understand why she felt this way towards a guy who was still a student in college. A guy she was sure she was older than. He was so condescending.

"Secretary,” Luc continued, his voice dark, “you’d better have this fixed by next week. Or else. I'll ruin their lives."

She blinked. “Wh…what about Hawthorne...”

“Let them fail,” he said flatly. “And make sure they pay me what they owe.”

“But sir…” she started, hesitant.

“Why? You want me to overlook their mistakes? I built that company for him, and he overreached. A wife, a son, and a daughter weren’t enough for him? He needs to fall, and he will pay me.”

She nodded, powerless to argue. “Yes, sir.”

“Good. Get out.”

She hurried from the office, nodding frantically like a frightened bird.

Ezekiel walked in, noticing the scared look on the secretary’s face before he even entered. “Trying to give your employees heart attacks, huh?”

Luc stayed silent, clearly in a bad mood.

Ezekiel sighed and sank into one of the sofas. “I get it, Luc. I know you’re angry. But who knows, maybe next year will be different.”

Luc shot him a look. “That’s what you always say.”

"So because of that, you’re not going to show up in school again? It’s been weeks, and people are asking questions.”

Luc nodded. “Yeah. I’m just tired of trying to complete it. It feels like a waste of time, and I've tried enough. Just tell Alex to do his job."

Ezekiel shook his head, disappointed. “Seems like you’re giving up. But be patient, Luc. You might have missed her, you never know.”

Luc shook his head firmly. "That's impossible. She’s supposed to stand out… eye-catching. No one there matched her description. You saw that yourself, right?”

Ezekiel nodded. “Yeah. I went through all the faculties and departments, but saw no one fits the description."

"And you’re saying I must have missed her.”

“You’re going to have to at least check again tomorrow, maybe through the week. Alex alone won’t be enough to get it done.”

Luc swallowed, his Adam’s apple bobbing. “Whatever.”

Ezekiel nodded, leaning back slightly. “So… what’s happening now?”

Luc ran a hand through his hair, his expression tight. “My subordinates are trying to get clever with me, thinking they can pull one over, but I’m not going to let that happen. They need to know they’re playing with fire.”

"Oh, speaking of that,” Ezekiel said, leaning forward. “Alfred called me earlier. He gave me some information.”

Luc raised an eyebrow. “What kind of information?”

Ezekiel glanced at him. “Nine of the companies, Hawthorne Construction not included, held a meeting. They were talking about what to do… against you.”

"Against me?"

Ezekiel nodded. “John Reid called it together. They’re frustrated, and annoyed. I mean, they all cannot believe a young guy like you is running things. Apparently, they’re still trying to figure out how it happened.”

Luc let out a small chuckle. “Those old men… no wonder..."

Ezekiel shrugged. “I get it. It must be confusing for them.”

Luc shook his head. "Confused or not, they shouldn’t be. I’ll handle it.”

Ezekiel smirked slightly. “Suit yourself, then.”