Chapter 109: Buried truths

Revilo hadn’t thought much of Lucas family rumors until that evening, a year ago, when he overheard his older brother, Raver, on a tense phone call with Samuel’s father. Raver’s voice was hushed, but Revilo could still catch snippets of the conversation.

The words drifted through the air, filling Revilo with curiosity. "Will you visit Jane’s grave?" Raver asked, pausing as he listened to the answer on the other end. "Any news about her son, James?"

Revilo froze, his mind reeling. Jane, their cousin, had always been a mysterious figure in the family—a name spoken in whispers, a shadow in the family’s grand legacy. But this mention of a son, James, was new. He had never known Jane had a child.

As Raver continued the call, Revilo slipped out of the room, already forming a plan in his mind. He needed answers. If Jane had a son, why hadn’t anyone talked about him? Why was James’s name never mentioned at family gatherings, not even in passing?

Over the next few days, Revilo quietly began to dig into the family’s history. He visited old records, sifted through documents, and asked subtle questions, keeping his inquiries hidden from the rest of the family. It wasn’t long before he uncovered the truth: James Lucas was real, and he had been missing for years.

Revilo’s mind whirled with questions and possibilities. Jane’s son was the real heir, someone who, if alive, could completely change the balance of power in the family and Lucas Realty Group. Excitement and greed stirred within him. If James’s existence became public, what would it mean for the company, for their family’s power?

Unable to hold back, he picked up the phone and dialed a familiar number—Walter Cain. Walter was a trusted family lawyer, well-versed in the inner workings of the Lucas estate. Revilo knew that if anyone could provide insight, it would be him.

Walter answered on the third ring. "Revilo," he greeted in his usual calm tone. "What’s the matter?"

Revilo took a deep breath, choosing his words carefully. "Walter, hypothetically speaking... if it were discovered that Jane had a son, how would it impact Lucas Realty Group? Would it affect the family’s position in the company?"

There was a pause on the other end of the line before Walter responded, his voice now laced with caution. "Don’t do anything, Revilo. Let me look into it first. I’ll see what I can find."

Walter ended the call, leaving Revilo both frustrated and intrigued. He wanted answers now, but he knew better than to push Walter too hard. If anyone could dig into this quietly and thoroughly, it was him.

Walter wasted no time. With his access to the company’s records, he began a thorough investigation, combing through old documents, family histories, and legal files. His position as one of Lucas Realty Group’s top lawyers gave him a unique vantage point, and he uncovered more than Revilo could have dreamed of.

In the old documents, Walter found the terms of George Lucas’s will, which included details of an unspoken heir. And as he dug further, he discovered a new piece of the puzzle—Zinnia, Samuel’s fiancée, had a history with James. The two had been close, perhaps more than close, a connection that could shatter Samuel’s engagement and, by extension, the family’s influence.

Armed with this information, Walter’s mind began to formulate a plan. If they played this right, they could manipulate the Lucas family dynamics, twist Zinnia and Samuel’s relationship, and perhaps even use James’s name to their advantage. The inheritance could fall into disarray, and the family might be forced to turn to them for stability.

When Revilo called back a few days later, eager for news, Walter spoke in a low, controlled voice. "We can use this information, Revilo. But we need to tread carefully. I’ve found the terms of the will, and if we bring James into the picture, the entire company’s future will shift."

Revilo’s excitement grew as he listened to Walter lay out the possibilities. They didn’t need proof that James was alive—just the suggestion of his existence could be enough to rattle the family. And if they played it right, they could stage an imposter, a "James" who would take the inheritance under their control.

"We’ll create a James," Walter said, his voice cold and calculating. "One who will serve our purpose, one who will help us strip Lucas Realty from under them. No need for real ties; we’ll manufacture them."

Revilo felt a thrill at Walter’s words. With careful planning, they would feed rumors, sow discord, and plant doubts. The Lucas family wouldn’t know what hit them, and by the time they realized, it would be too late.

Revilo had been waiting for this moment for years. For as long as he could remember, he had hated Samuel, the supposed "future heir" of Lucas Realty Group. Samuel was younger, technically beneath him in the family hierarchy. Revilo was Samuel’s uncle by blood, and yet, despite his seniority, he had always felt overshadowed. It infuriated him.

He had spent years working hard for the company, investing time and energy into building projects, crafting proposals, and forming relationships with key clients. But no matter how much he gave, the family and the company always seemed to favor Samuel. Just because he was George Lucas’s chosen heir. Revilo could barely stand it.

The projects he had once overseen were gradually shifted under Samuel’s management. Meetings that used to be run by him were now chaired by his nephew. Even though he technically held a higher position in the company, people barely acknowledged him when Samuel was around. His commands went unheard, his ideas dismissed as soon as Samuel entered the room.

He clenched his fists at the thought. It wasn’t fair. Samuel was still a trainee, still learning the ropes, yet everyone acted as if he was already in charge. Every time Samuel spoke, people listened. But when Revilo tried to assert his authority, he was treated like he didn’t even exist. The respect, the admiration—everything Revilo had worked for was handed to Samuel without him lifting a finger.

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by Aunomay Read