The directors looked at one another, their discomfort growing. Raver sighed, crossing his arms. "You’re overreacting, Samuel. There’s nothing to tell."
"I’ll decide that," Samuel shot back. "Why don’t you let me be the judge of what’s worth knowing?"
"We were discussing the company," Edward offered cautiously, his voice calm. "Long-term strategies, nothing more."
Samuel’s eyes narrowed. "Long-term strategies that you couldn’t discuss with me? The CEO?"
Daren finally spoke up, his voice low. "It’s not like that. We didn’t mean to exclude you."
"But you did," Samuel snapped. His gaze darted to Bart and Billy, who looked ready to bolt. "And you two? You don’t make a move without a reason. So, what’s yours?"
Billy stammered, "We... we were just—"
"Save it," Samuel interrupted. "You’ve been waiting for an opportunity to stir things up since you joined the board. Don’t think I don’t know that."
Bart tried to muster a grin. "It’s not what you think, Samuel. You’re reading too much into this."
Samuel leaned forward, his voice cold. "Am I? Then prove me wrong. Tell me what this meeting is really about."
---
The board exchanged uneasy glances, but no one spoke. The silence dragged on, thick and oppressive. Samuel could feel the weight of their hesitation, their unwillingness to admit whatever it was they were hiding.
Finally, Raver broke the silence. "We’re looking out for the company. That’s all you need to know."
Samuel straightened, his eyes blazing. "If you think keeping me in the dark is looking out for the company, you’re mistaken."
He turned to leave but paused at the door, his voice sharp. "I will find out what you’re up to. And if it’s something that undermines me or this company, you’ll regret it."
Without waiting for a response, Samuel stepped out of the room.
Timmy hurried to catch up. "Sir, do you think they’re—"
"They’re hiding something," Samuel said, his voice tight. "And I’m going to make sure they don’t get away with it."
As he adjusted his tie, he caught sight of a familiar figure walking toward him. His stride faltered, eyes narrowing slightly as recognition dawned.
"Dad?" Samuel called, his voice laced with surprise. "You’re here? When did you get back?"
Steven Lucas stopped in his tracks, equally startled to see his son. "Samuel? What are you doing here?"
Samuel glanced back at the door, then returned his gaze to his father. The realization seemed to strike Steven almost immediately. His eyes flicked between Samuel and the door Samuel had just exited.
"You were in there?" Steven asked, tilting his head toward the entrance.
Samuel nodded slowly. Steven let out a low sigh and gestured toward the door. "Come inside."
Samuel frowned. "Wait—what’s going on?"
Steven didn’t answer immediately, pushing the door open instead. As he stepped inside, he glanced back over his shoulder and said, "I’m the one who invited them. Everything that’s been going on—it’s because of me."
Samuel followed reluctantly, his mind racing with unanswered questions. Inside, the board members shifted uncomfortably in their seats, their earlier confidence seemingly evaporating in his father’s presence.
Steven walked to the head of the table and sat down, gesturing for Samuel to take the empty seat beside him. "Sit," he said, his tone calm but firm.
Samuel hesitated, then obeyed. His jaw was tight, his posture rigid as he stared at his father.
Steven clasped his hands together on the table and cleared his throat. "Before you jump to conclusions, let me make one thing clear. This? All of it? It’s on me. If you want to be angry, direct it at me."
Samuel’s brows furrowed. "Dad, what are you talking about?"
Steven sighed, his gaze steady. "Everything they’ve done—the secrecy, the meetings—it was all under my instructions. It was a test, Samuel. To see how you’d handle pressure, challenges, and the unexpected."
Samuel’s head snapped toward the board. He looked at each of them in disbelief, his eyes narrowing on Raver first.
Raver leaned back in his chair with a dry laugh. "Well, now you know. Your father set us up as the villains in this little play."
Bart shifted in his seat, looking awkward as he rubbed the back of his neck. "Look, Samuel, we owe everything to your grandfather, George Lucas. We would never betray this company. Never. Your father asked us to do this—to push you, to see what you’d do under stress."
Billy nodded in agreement, his expression earnest. "It’s true. We’ve got nothing against you. Honestly, we admire the way you’ve handled things so far. You’re doing better than most people would."
Daren finally spoke, his voice quieter but just as sincere. "Your grandfather gave me a chance when no one else believed in me. He helped me build my career, and I owe him my loyalty. This wasn’t meant to hurt you, Samuel. Your father asked us to test your management skills. That’s all."
Edward adjusted his tie, his voice steady and calm. "The same goes for me. George Lucas didn’t just give me opportunities—he saved my family from financial ruin. I’d never do anything to harm this company. We were following Steven’s instructions, Samuel. Nothing more."
Samuel’s gaze returned to his father, who sat silently, letting the others speak. When Steven finally met his son’s eyes, he exhaled slowly. "They’re telling the truth, Samuel. This was all my idea. I needed to see how you’d face adversity. Running a company like Lucas Realty Group isn’t easy. I needed to be sure you were ready before I stepped back."
Samuel blinked, his expression a mixture of confusion and frustration. "You... tested me? That’s what all of this has been about?"
Steven nodded. "Exactly. And you’ve proven yourself capable. You’ve handled yourself well, even under pressure."
Raver leaned forward, his tone lighter now. "And for the record, all that talk earlier? It was about you. About how we’re planning to announce your promotion to the public. We want to make it clear that Lucas Realty Group will soon be fully in your hands."
Samuel’s eyes widened. "Wait, what?"