Chapter 12 Skyline Realty

It was Lucian. Frank and Annie looked back at Lucian at the same time with a hint of shock on their faces. It was beyond their imagination that it was Lucian’s influence that led Jack to personally endorse the contract with Freya. They found it utterly implausible. The fact that Lucian had recently returned from military service and held an outcast status within the Gray family made his achievement all the more implausible. Without substantial wealth or influential connections, the question lingered as to how he could secure the president of the Infernal Group’s personal presence to sign the contract. Sensing that something was awry, Annie couldn’t help but inquire, “Lucian, how on earth did you manage this?” With the spotlight now on Lucian, both Freya and Frank directed their unwavering attention toward him. They both wanted to know why, especially Freya. She realized she was only able to get this project because Lucian had been pulling strings for her. Although her competence was evident to all, there were numerous individuals who surpassed her in capability. This raised the pressing question: Why did the chairman of the Infernal Group choose her out of all people? After a brief moment of hesitation, Lucian finally said, “In truth, I am the Infernal War God in Nordfren. Naturally, this information is highly classified and must not be divulged. Any leakage could lead to a significant crisis in Vandergrift, so utmost secrecy is imperative.” Upon hearing the revelation of Lucian being the Infernal War God, the trio was overwhelmed with a sense of helplessness. They had never anticipated such a statement from Lucian. The Infernal War God held immense authority in both realms of politics and beyond, overseeing millions of soldiers and commanding tens of thousands of men under his banner. Annie’s impatience was evident as her face darkened, and she exclaimed, “Stop kidding us! Now, tell us quickly, how did this happen?” Freya and Frank clearly shared the same skepticism. If Lucian indeed was the Infernal War God, how could he possibly replace time to indulge in domestic life with them? They adamantly dismissed Lucian’s claims as utter nonsense; they could not believe it. Observing their disbelief, Lucian flashed an awkward smile and remarked, “I was only pulling your leg. Consider this: despite being expelled from the Gray family, my surname remains Gray. Moreover, my father held considerable power in the past, so he must have had influential connections. I simply utilized those connections to reach out to the chairman of the Infernal Group, sharing Fey’s past accomplishments. Little did I anticipate the chairman’s admiration for Fey’s abilities.” “So, that’s the case,” said Annie as she acknowledged Lucian’s words with a slight nod, choosing to believe him. She remarked, “So, to simplify, Fay earned this contract through her own competence, and the chairman recognized her abilities. Your involvement played no part in it. Understood?” Lucian nodded slightly and responded, “I understand, Auntie Annie.” “Mom, you can’t frame it like that. Without Lucian’s help, the chairman would have never recognized me,” Freya stated, casting a glance at Lucian. Frank, who had been observing from the sidelines, remarked, “Certainly if the Gray family can tap into their network to garner favor from the chairman of the Infernal Group, it would be advantageous. Considering the Gray family’s upcoming listing on the stock market, their success would elevate them to one of Sioux’s three great families. Undoubtedly, they possess considerable prestige.” The Gray family is preparing for a stock market listing? Lucian was genuinely unaware of this development. Being by Freya’s side since his return, he hadn’t had the opportunity to visit the Gray family. Given the current state of affairs, he knew he needed to take action soon. They actually wanted to secure a listing on the stock market? It is an impossible feat beyond their reach! The glimmer in Lucian’s eyes turned ominous, with a surge of menacing intent coursing through him. He believed that the time had come to engage in a calculated dance with the Gray family. … Over the following days, Lucian and Freya immersed themselves in their work, as the project entailed the demolition of a village within the city. They needed to have preliminary discussions with the villagers about the impending demolition. Interestingly enough, the village slated for destruction happened to be the very one where Freya and her family resided. Having resided in this village for five years, Freya and her family had established close relationships with their neighbors, making it effortless to engage in discussions with them about the impending demolition. Moreover, the compensation offered by the Infernal Group for the demolition was remarkably fair, creating a sense of anticipation among the villagers for this development. Nevertheless, based on Freya’s assessment, the demolition of this sizable village would demand an initial cost exceeding ten million dollars, a sum that Freya herself had to provide upfront. Only when the project advanced to the subsequent stage would the Infernal Group contribute a portion of the funds. This situation troubled Freya deeply, as her family’s savings amounted to no more than twenty thousand dollars. Producing over ten million dollars seemed an insurmountable task. It became clear to Freya that she couldn’t manage this project alone. Consequently, she resolved to establish her own company and seek investors to aid in accomplishing the project. Lucian asked, “Fay, are you seriously thinking about starting a company and looking for investors?” With a resolute nod, Freya’s gaze turned remarkably steadfast as she firmly stated, “That’s right. I must establish a company and rally investors; otherwise, with my current status, I wouldn’t be able to complete this project.” “Very well, I wholeheartedly support you!” Lucian nodded emphatically. At that moment, he discerned a newfound determination in Freya’s eyes, replacing the despair that had plagued her in recent days. It brought him a sense of relief. However, he also recognized the importance of replaceing a way to heal Freya. Complete paralysis was an unwarranted affliction for Freya, as she still had a promising future. Condemning her to a wheelchair for the rest of her days would be an excessively harsh fate. With immediate and unwavering determination, Freya embarked on registering her new company, accompanied by Lucian. Within a mere two days, the company was successfully established under the name “Skyline Realty.” Situated in a modest office building spanning just over 200 square feet, it may not have been grand in size, but it brought immense joy to Freya. This marked her first significant stride in seven years, filling her with a profound sense of accomplishment. The family of three convened, feeling overwhelmed by their financial predicament. Failure to commence the demolition as scheduled would result in a contract breach, leading to the project being revoked and a required reimbursement for violating the terms of the agreement. “Leave it to me. I’ll take care of replaceing investors.” Freya paused for a moment, her gaze turning toward Lucian, before speaking up again. “Over the next few days, I need you to accompany me. We have to resolve this investment matter within a week. Otherwise, if the project fails to commence by then, the chairman will begin to question my competence.” Should Freya fail to complete the demolition within the allotted fortnight, it would serve as a testament to her lackluster abilities. Infernal Group would undoubtedly question her competence and may even rescind the project. Such a setback would certainly tarnish her standing within the industry and pose a significant obstacle to future collaborations with major corporations. The project was a huge chance for Freya to prove her worth, so she had to finish it successfully under any circumstances. “You can count on me. I’ll be there with you every step of the way,” Lucian nodded earnestly, his expression serious. That evening, with Lucian’s help, Freya meticulously drafted a comprehensive business plan. Early the following morning, they set out to seek investors in Sioux, with Lucian solely focused on pushing Freya’s wheelchair while she took charge of securing the investors. For now, it’s good for Freya to handle her first obstacles by herself. I can always lend a hand later if she has trouble getting an investor. During their efforts to attract investors, Freya and Lucian faced challenges due to the relatively small scale of Skyline Realty and its limited registered capital. Despite the immense scope of the demolition project, many companies were hesitant to invest, suspicious of the intentions of Skyline Realty—whose office space measured a meager 200 square feet—and uneasy about the fact that its founder, Freya, was a person with disabilities. With an unwavering determination, Freya persevered, tirelessly canvassing one company after another. In a city as vast as Sioux, she refused to concede defeat, steadfast in her belief that a company would eventually recognize her potential and invest in her. For Freya, the key to overcoming any obstacle lay in the power of one’s own will and determination, coupled with diligent effort. … Meanwhile, at the Harrison family’s old residence, a dispirited assembly of family members occupied the living room, their countenances marked by somberness and an oppressive ambiance of despair. After Dax’s release from the hospital, he received the news that Freya had indeed taken on the project and was managing it independently. Not only had she established Skyline Realty, but she had also partnered with Lucian in a determined quest to secure investors. This information incensed Dax, fueling a deep-seated rage that felt as if his lungs were on the brink of bursting. “I am truly shocked. I never anticipated this turn of events.” A fierce expression contorted Dax’s face as he remarked, “That despicable woman is undeniably ambitious. Despite her physical limitations, she still aspires to establish a business. If she manages to secure an investor and the project comes to fruition, it would mean that the Harrison family’s plan has completely collapsed.” With a serious expression, Aaron Harrison, the eldest son, addressed his father, “Dad, based on my investigation over the past few days, I have uncovered something of utmost significance.”