Chapter 18 - The Bold Move
The sky was gray that morning, clouds thick and heavy, as if the heavens knew Alex's mind was weighed down too.
He stood before the old grave, the name John Stone carved deep into the stone. The air was still. Not a single sound. Just the wind, rustling the dried leaves, and the quiet ache in Alex's chest.
He had no flowers. No candle. Just questions.
"Father..." he began with a low voice. "I wish I knew what you'd want me to do. Raymond says it's time for me to build. Start something. Use what I've learned... but the truth is, I don't even know where to begin."
He crouched beside the grave and sighed, running a hand through his hair.
"I've learned about digital assets, crypto, mobile money, value systems... but building something?" He gave a sad chuckle. "I don't even know what I'm passionate about. Or if I'm meant to be like you... or Raymond. Or someone else entirely."
Silence.
But standing there, he felt something stir in him. Not an answer, but maybe a nudge. It's a quiet reminder that people like him don't wait forever. They try. They fall. They get up.
"I can't stay in limbo forever," he muttered. "It's time."
***
Later that day, Alex went to the office building and made his way to Philip's small office which is one of their usual meeting points. Philip's place was always messy in a 'genius working on something massive' way: papers everywhere, computer screens blinking with data, wires and circuit boards scattered like confetti.
Philip was bent over a large screen, typing rapidly, but looked up as Alex walked in.
"You look like you just came from a funeral," he said, raising an eyebrow.
"I did."
"Oh..." Philip paused. "Your dad's?"
Alex nodded.
Philip motioned for him to sit. "So, what now? Are you still with me on this project?"
"Of course," Alex replied. "I'm just still wondering how you're going to pull this off. The clock's ticking. Five months. Three billion dollars."
Philip leaned back, rubbing his chin. "I actually do have a plan already."
Alex narrowed his eyes. "Wow, would love to know about it."
Philip hesitated, then dropped the bomb.
"I'm planning to sell ADIG Constructions."
Silence.
"What?" Alex's voice was sharp. "You want to sell the construction company?"
Philip nodded. Calmly. Too calmly.
"It's the fastest way to get the kind of cash flow we need. It's a company with heavy assets. We clean the books, pitch it right, we can easily get over 2 billion. That's more than half of our target, maybe even more."
Alex stood up, pacing the room.
"But that company was where it all started! Mr Carter built the group from construction first. You sell that, you shake the foundation of everything. I don't think he will agree to that?"
Philip exhaled. "I know it's risky. But I'm working on a pitch. A plan. If I can convince him that the future of the group is digital, tech, finance, and intellectual ventures, he might see this as an evolution, not a loss."
Alex looked at him, still stunned. "But Philip, ADIG Constructions is more than just a name. It's legacy. It's emotional for Raymond. For the entire board. You think logic is enough to beat that?"
Philip stood too now, his voice growing intense.
"You think I don't know that? I've spent days thinking about this. But emotion won't save us from this debt. We need a bold move, Alex. And this is it."
Alex ran his hand over his face. "So what if he says no?"
Philip's eyes darkened slightly. "Then we fail. And we drown. Slowly. Publicly. That's what's at stake."
Silence settled in the room again.
Then Philip added, softer this time, "I'm not asking you to agree. I'm just telling you, this is the reality. This is what it takes. We have to think like wolves now, not sheep."
Alex sat down again, quietly, eyes distant.
"My father always said, 'To make a real move, you need more than courage. You need timing, and you need to be willing to lose something.'"
Philip nodded. "Exactly. I'm willing. Will you be if you're in my position?"
And for the first time that day, Alex didn't have an answer.
***
Alex didn't sleep that night.
Philip's words echoed in his head like thunder:
"We need a bold move, Alex."
"We have to think like wolves now."
"I'm willing. Are you?"
That last question didn't let him rest.
He sat on his bed with his laptop open, but doing nothing with it. Just staring. Thinking. Remembering. Everything Raymond had taught him about mindset, money, and value. About how the world was shifting and only those who could adapt would survive.
Then something clicked.
Not all at once. But slowly... then fast.
He sat up straight. His eyes widened. His fingers began to move across the keyboard, searching, scribbling, calculating. He wasn't even sure what it was yet, but something was coming to life inside him. A spark. A vision.
He was tired of just following. Of waiting for something to happen.
What if he built something? Not just any business but something digital, lean, and scalable. Something born from everything he had been taught. Something that could actually thrive in this fast-moving age.
He called Philip immediately. It was past 2 AM.
"Bro," Alex said, almost breathless. "I think I've got something."
Philip sounded groggy. "You've got what?"
"An idea. I mean, it's rough. But I think... I think I finally know what I want to build."
There was a long pause on the line. Then Philip's voice sharpened. "Say more."
***
The next morning, they met at a quiet café on the edge of the city, Philip with his laptop and that usual spark of curiosity in his eyes.
Alex explained.
"Look, Mr Carter taught me about how powerful the digital space is. About how money isn't paper, but value. Movement. Energy. And I've been thinking... what if I created a platform, something simple at first, where young people could learn, trade, invest... and even earn with just their phones?"
Philip leaned in. "Go on."
"It's not just a financial tool," Alex said. "It's like an ecosystem. Teach them about digital assets, help them build digital skills, give them access to tools, affiliate links, mini-courses, a digital wallet maybe. Not too big at once. Just a smart entry point into the digital world."
Philip leaned in, nodding slowly. "There are platforms that teach. Some that help people earn. Some offer tools. But you're blending all three. A full circle."
Alex's eyes lit up. "That's what I'm thinking. Most platforms force you to choose, education or income. But what if this one trains you while you earn? You finish a course, you unlock a tool. You bring people in, you get rewards. You use the wallet, you grow."
Philip whistled softly. "Value chain. Learn, earn, apply. Not just crypto for geeks, but a gateway for the everyday youth who's tired of being broke and clueless."
Alex nodded. "Exactly. Not a get-rich-quick scheme. A digital ladder."
Philip smiled. "Now you're thinking like a wolf."
Alex laughed. "Maybe. Or a crazy man."
"Same thing," Philip grinned.
***
Over the next few days, they worked like machines.
Philip helped Alex design the structure:
A landing page
A good dashboard that is mobile responsive
Tiered memberships (free, premium, pro)
Integration with crypto exchanges and educational content
A referral system that could help the platform grow organically
"Start lean," Philip advised. "Build the MVP. Let the market shape the rest."
They gave the project a name: NEOSPACE.
Neo - as in new. Space - as in a fresh ground, a place to grow.
Alex couldn't stop working. Every time he got tired, he remembered Raymond's voice in his head:
"Start something. Even if you fail. I want to see if you can stand."
This was it. His stand.
He didn't ask for permission. He didn't tell Raymond yet. Not even Sarah. This was his war to fight.
But deep inside, something told him this wasn't just going to be a side project. This was bigger. It could grow fast, dangerously fast. And when it did... people would start noticing. Some would love it.
Some would hate it.
Philip warned him one night: "Once this goes live, eyes will turn. Be ready. Some of the big fishes in the industry don't like new players on the board."
Alex nodded, calm. "Then I better be worth noticing."