SIXTEEN: THE HEIRS BLUEPRINT
It had been a long few days since Levi returned, and though he was finally rested, Kaitlin had launched a new campaign — to find him a wife.
She wasn’t joking either.
Every morning, she arrived armed with lists, photos, and lunch invitations.
Levi quickly learned to take the longer hallway routes and disappear whenever she was near.
But matchmaking was the least of his concerns.
The succession event was only days away — the official ceremony that would make him the new head of the Hale empire.
Between the companies they owned and the countless partnerships they managed, his schedule was suffocating.
Every meeting mattered, every decision carried weight.
This morning, the private study was his command post.
The room was vast, draped in dark mahogany and gold.
Shelves lined the walls, filled with antique books, leather-bound volumes and hidden files, and framed photographs from generations of Hales.
A wide chandelier glowed above the space, scattering light across the polished wooden floor.
The fireplace stood tall and carved, its mantel adorned with delicate sculptures and a single family crest.
Across from it, a long desk of deep walnut dominated the room, its surface neat except for a few folders, a tablet, and a cup of steaming espresso.
A soft rug cushioned Levi’s feet as he sat behind the desk, sleeves slightly rolled, focused yet calm.
Vennesa sat on the cream couch opposite, a sleek tablet balanced on her knees.
“…And then,” she said briskly, scrolling, “you’ll need to accompany your father to a meeting with the Wilson Group.”
Levi looked up from his papers.
“Now they want to partner up?”
Vennesa smirked.
“Partner up?
Hardly.
They’re collapsing.
Economic crisis, rumors of debt, and now they’re trying to sell one of their child companies before the banks seize it.”
Levi chuckled under his breath.
“Bastards.”
Before she could reply, a knock echoed from the door.
“Enter,” Levi said.
The door opened, and a familiar voice broke the formality.
“Alex!” Levi rose, a spark of warmth breaking through his composed demeanor.
“If Vennesa’s here, it must be a busy day,” Alex said with a grin.
“How are you, kid?”
“I don’t know,” Levi smirked.
“Been five years — no calls, no texts, not even a postcard from my old uncle.”
“Did you just call me old?” Alex said, feigning offense.
“Oh, Alex, drop the act and tell him how much you’ve missed him,” Vennesa teased without looking up.
“Miss him?” Alex scoffed.
“Why would I—” He paused, then smiled.
“—Anyway, it’s good to have you back.
Time for you to take over so I can finally breathe.”
Levi laughed lightly.
“What do you mean by that?”
“It means,” Alex said, settling on the couch beside Vennesa and pouring himself a glass of whiskey from the crystal decanter on the side table, “it’s time for you to choose your own staff and let us old bones retire.”
“There are key positions tied to your father’s leadership,” Vennesa added.
“When a Hale takes a step back, the staff that served his ‘ear’ often retire.
You need to pick your own inner circle.
You’ll need replacements ready before your coronation.
I’ll send you the list of open positions and candidates who are vetted and loyal..”
Levi leaned back in his chair, scanning her quickly.
“I’m not relieving Alex of his duty.
I don’t think anyone can replace him.”
“I agree,” Vennesa muttered, still scrolling.
“I know,” Alex said, raising his glass.
“But if I stay by your side, people will question whether you can lead on your own.
They’ll think I’m your shadow.”
Levi grinned.
“Like I care.
I only agreed to take this role because you promised to help me.
So you’re staying.”
Alex laughed.
“Alright, how about a compromise?
I pick someone to train — my second.
I’ll work behind the scenes while he handles the front.”
“That could work,” Vennesa said, finally looking up.
“Who do you have in mind?”
“Luke?” she frowned.
“He has no pedigree.
The board will talk, People will talk.”
“I know,” Alex admitted, “but the boy’s sharp.
Smart, disciplined, and well-connected.
He may not have a glamorous background, but our media houses can polish his image.
The public already knows and respects him.
He’s a worthy candidate.”
Vennesa turned to Levi.
“Your call.
Can he handle it?”
Levi nodded thoughtfully.
“Luke’s intelligent.
His insight’s helped a lot of people.
But I’ll have to ask him myself if he’s willing to step into this world.”
“Good,” Alex said.
“Do that soon.
Now, on to the next matter—”
He gestured for Vennesa to continue.
“the Legacy Project.” she began, “Every Hale leader must leave a landmark—he is required to build or complete a legacy project during their reign — something that strengthens the empire.
Levi sighed.
“We already have so many.”
“Then finish something we haven’t,” Alex suggested.
“Like the mall.”
Levi frowned.
“Mall?”
Alex nodded.
“Your mother’s idea.”
Levi sat upright, his gaze intensifying.
“My mother?”
“We bought the land, laid the foundation… then she disappeared, and we stopped construction.
It’s been frozen since.”
Levi’s eyes lifted slowly.
“Can I see the plans?”
Alex smiled.
“Better.
Let’s see it in person.”
A few hours later…
They drove halfway across the city to the central coast — and there it was.
A colossal structure stretched across the horizon, skeletal yet majestic.
Steel beams rose from the earth like the bones of a sleeping giant.
The foundation sprawled for miles — over six million square feet of land that kissed the edge of the water.
The air was cooler here, the breeze carrying salt and silence.
Levi stepped out of the car, took off his sunglasses.
His gaze swept the unfinished monument, his expression unreadable at first — then slowly, awe took over.
Alex chuckled at his reaction.
“How do you forget something this massive?”
“The rich forget everything,” Alex said, clapping his shoulder.
“Too much money, not enough attention.”
They began walking the perimeter, but the size was overwhelming.
After nearly an hour, they gave up and returned to the car.
“So?” Alex asked, glancing at him.
Levi smiled faintly, still staring through the windshield at the unfinished titan before them.
“I’ll complete it.”
He paused.
“And I’ll name it The Grand Pacific Quay.”
Alex followed his gaze — and for a moment, he could see it too.
A shining masterpiece of glass and steel by the water, people flooding through its doors, lights glittering across the bay at night.
He smiled proudly.
“I can see it.
It’ll be a landmark.”
Levi’s eyes hardened with quiet certainty.
“It will be.”
Levi wasn’t just coming for the crown; he was coming to rebuild the world in his image.
And just like that, the future of the Hale Empire began to take shape.