2025-12-22 08:48:22
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CHAPTER 74
The call came Tuesday evening while Charlie was reviewing macroeconomics notes, attempting to convince himself that undergraduate coursework still mattered. His grandfather's name lit up the screen, and something in Charlie's chest tightened before he even answered."Grandfather," Charlie said, setting aside the textbook."Charlie." George Maxwell's voice carried its usual authority, but underneath ran a thread of something unfamiliar—fatigue, perhaps, or reluctant acceptance. "We need to talk about the next six months."Charlie straightened in his chair. "Your health?""My doctors are insistent," George said, not quite answering. "There's a treatment program in Switzerland. Comprehensive with Six months minimum, possibly longer depending on how my body responds.""Is it serious?""Serious enough that ignoring it would be foolish. Not immediately critical, but trending that direction without intervention." George paused, and Charlie heard papers rustling in the background. "Which brin
CHAPTER 73
Marlowe's Coffee House felt like neutral ground, a Saturday morning refuge where the corporate world and campus politics couldn't quite reach. Charlie sat across from Maya, both nursing oversized lattes, the familiar ritual offering comfort he hadn't realized he needed."You look stressed," Maya observed, studying him over the rim of her cup. "More than usual. What's going on?"Charlie exhaled slowly. "Campus stuff. It's complicated.""Try me."He started carefully, outlining YEN's expansion, Jerry's successful networking event, the way his own MOP program had withered while he was at Claire Corporation. The Grant brothers' involvement. The subtle erosion of his campus influence while he'd been focused on real professional work.Maya listened, patient but increasingly skeptical."So Jerry Stone built a student organization that helps people get internships," she said when he paused. "And this bothers you because...?""Because it's not genuine," Charlie replied. "He's positioning himse
CHAPTER 72
The Riverside Grand Hotel ballroom glittered under crystal chandeliers. Over one hundred students mingled with executives from ten major corporations, exchanging business cards with practiced ease. Professional photographers captured moments that would dominate social media within hours.Jerry Stone greeted arrivals with the confidence of someone who'd orchestrated something significant. Victoria Hunt managed registration with military precision. Marcus Chen and Tyler Banks facilitated introductions between students and corporate representatives.The YEN networking mixer had arrived.Daniel Franklin adjusted his tie and scanned the crowd in genuine amazement. This wasn’t a campus club event. This was legitimate, professional, and mattered for students without Maxwell-level connections.“Daniel!” A classmate waved him to a group clustered around a Deloitte executive. “Come meet Richard. He’s looking for strong accounting candidates.”Daniel joined them, shook hands, made conversation,
CHAPTER 71
The rented event space buzzed with energy as over a hundred students filed in, filling rows of chairs arranged theater-style. Jerry Stone stood at the front, adjusting his tie with practiced calm, watching his empire assemble.Charlie would have dismissed this as undergraduate theatrics six months ago. He'd have been wrong.Victoria Hunt approached with a printed agenda. "Final headcount: one-oh-seven. Twelve corporate sponsors confirmed for fall. Budget approved by student activities."Jerry nodded, scanning the crowd. YEN had evolved from a loose coalition of wealthy students into something structured, professional, and undeniably legitimate. Officers wore matching blazers. Committee chairs coordinated logistics. A constitution—actual bylaws, governed operations."Ready?" Victoria asked."Always."Jerry stepped to the microphone as conversations died. "Good evening. Thank you for being here."The room quieted completely."A year ago, this organization didn't exist," Jerry began. "To
CHAPTER 70
The email arrived Monday morning, simple and direct: Charlie, please come to my office during your free period today. - SterlingCharlie showed up at two p.m., expecting another mentorship conversation about balancing academics and professional experience. Instead, Sterling's expression was unusually grave, the kind of seriousness that made Charlie straighten in his chair before a word was spoken."Close the door," Sterling said.Charlie complied and sat."I'm hearing concerning things," Sterling began, folding his hands on his desk. "The Grant brothers are back, and they're working with Jerry Stone's network to undermine your reputation systematically. Students are talking. Questions are spreading about your scholarship, your summer internship, whether your success is merit or privilege."Charlie nodded. "I'm aware. Daniel filled me in."“And you’re not worried?”"Not particularly," Charlie said honestly. "I dealt with Nathan Cross trying to sabotage a multi-million dollar acquisitio
CHAPTER 69
Charlie first noticed Jim and Jey Grant on a Wednesday afternoon in late September. They were crossing the main quad with a group of students, and something about them had fundamentally changed. Gone were the flashy clothes and loud confidence. They wore simple button-downs and joggers, their expressions serious, their posture controlled.The summer had hardened them.Daniel noticed too, nudging Charlie as they walked past. "The Grant twins are back. They look different.""Different how?""Dangerous," Daniel said quietly. "Like they learned something over summer."Charlie filed the observation away but didn't think much of it. He'd survived Nathan Cross's sabotage and Perry Stone's political maneuvering. Whatever undergraduate drama the Grant brothers could produce seemed minor league by comparison.He should have paid more attention.The Grant family's collapse had been comprehensive. Charlie learned details from campus gossip: the mansion foreclosed, Charles and Claudia's marriage b
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