CHAPTER 274: WHEN ARTHUR POINTS

The Main Palace was enveloped in an unusual tranquility that afternoon, sunlight cascading through its high arched windows like molten gold.

In the eastern wing of the palace’s main hall lay a lounge that was anything but ordinary.

This space, crafted with the same meticulous attention as the council chambers and war room, radiated comfort and elegance.

The floor gleamed with a seamless expanse of black marble veined with silver, polished to a mirror-like finish.

Above them, the ceiling soared into ribbed vaults of pale stone, each panel intricately adorned with shimmering gold filigree that danced in the light whenever one moved beneath it.

A collection of plush sectional sofas upholstered in rich crimson formed a welcoming half-circle around a low table made of tempered glass and brushed steel, its design so sleek it appeared to float above its base, imported from skilled artisans on the Zephyria Continent.

Towering bookshelves lined the wall behind them, filled with leather-bound tomes and rare manuscripts waiting to share their secrets.

From across the room, a pair of ivory double doors swung open onto a balcony overlooking the lush palace gardens.

A gentle breeze carried in the faint scent of white lion lilies, adding to the serene atmosphere.

Seated together were Billy, Eva, and Charlotte,each occupying their own mental space yet close enough for their voices to flow freely between them.

Billy lounged on the far left, one leg stretched out as he absentmindedly tapped his shoe against the floor.

His hair had grown wild since reuniting with his family,a stark contrast to his impeccably groomed cousins.

He glanced over at Eva, who reclined comfortably with one ankle crossed over the other; her arms folded tightly as her gaze drifted off into thoughtfulness,clearly already dissecting why they were summoned here.

At the opposite end sat Charlotte, poised and elegant; her dress flowed neatly over crossed knees while her sharp blue eyes flitted between her companions with quiet curiosity.

"So..." Billy broke through their contemplative silence first, his tone casual yet laced with an undercurrent of apprehension,as if he were called into a headmaster’s office without any clue why.

"Anyone know what this is about?"

Eva tilted her head slightly toward him; a playful smirk danced on her lips.

"It’s pretty obvious," she replied while shifting in her seat just enough for her gold lapel pin to catch glimmers of light.

"We’re basically last on Arthur’s list for assignments. Everyone else has theirs sorted out,now it’s our turn."

Billy let out a thoughtful hum as he turned towards Charlotte; she nodded slightly but furrowed her brow in contemplation.

"And what do you think he’ll assign us?" Charlotte asked politely but genuinely curious.

Eva shrugged lightly, a hint of curiosity dancing in her eyes. "Something fitting, I suppose. Big bro doesn’t just toss people into roles they can’t handle,he’s too calculated for that."

She narrowed her gaze slightly, almost as if contemplating her own fate. "I imagine mine will be legal. After handling enough high-profile cases, I know where my strengths lie."

Billy leaned forward, resting his elbows on his knees with an eager expression. "And what about me?"

Eva’s demeanor softened as she considered him. "That’s trickier to predict. But remember, he wouldn’t have called you if it wasn’t important. You’ve already passed through his... tests."

Charlotte’s lips curved into a faint smile. "Maybe this time you’ll get something you actually like."

Billy chuckled softly under his breath. "Now that would be a first!"

Their light banter faded into a thoughtful silence until the lounge doors swung open with a soft creak.

In walked Arthur.

Dressed in a tailored charcoal-grey suit that spoke volumes of craftsmanship, he commanded attention without uttering a word.

His presence seemed to shift the atmosphere,not suffocating but invigorating; it made hearts beat slower and minds sharpened.

As he approached with deliberate steps, the sound of his shoes against the marble floor resonated crisply.

Without hesitation, he took the seat opposite them,the single high-backed chair that seemed custom-made for him.

"I assume you’ve been wondering why I’ve called you here," he began, his voice low and steady.

Silence enveloped them; Billy leaned back in his seat, meeting Arthur’s piercing gaze head-on.

Arthur rested one hand on the arm of his chair while the other lay casually on the table’s edge.

"Every member of this family has been assigned a role designed to amplify our reach. Until now, the three of you have remained... unassigned."

He let those words linger in the air like an unspoken challenge. "That changes today."

He turned first to Eva.

"Eva," he said sharply yet clearly, "you will establish the Osborn Law Firm,not just any small office or branch but the largest and most powerful law firm this continent has ever seen."

Eva’s eyes narrowed slightly as she processed this monumental task. "And its scope?"

"Everything," Arthur replied without missing a beat. "All Osborn contracts, deals, acquisitions,nothing moves without our legal arm controlling it all.

We will represent corporations and private clients alike,and when necessary, even governments themselves! In courtrooms we will be untouchable; in negotiations we will be feared."

A thin line formed on Eva’s lips,not from doubt but from understanding the weight of what lay ahead. "Building that will take years."

Arthur inclined his head knowingly." I want you to recruit aggressively, pull in the brightest minds from Varenya, Noctis, and beyond. Build a network of informants within the judicial systems. Remember this: we don’t just win cases; we shape which cases even exist."

He let those words hang in the air for a moment before shifting his attention to Billy.

"Billy," he said, his tone shifting slightly, still firm but with a hint of warmth. "You’re going to launch the Osborn Foundation. This will be our public face in philanthropy,charity work, disaster relief, community rebuilding. But more than that, its core mission is education."

Billy leaned in closer, clearly intrigued.

"I envision schools," Arthur continued passionately.

"From kindergartens to universities! We’ll replace every educational institution in Varenya and eventually across the Noctis Continent with ones under our control. You’ll design curriculums, select educators, and decide what the next generation learns."

"That’s... quite an undertaking," Billy replied hesitantly.

Arthur nodded firmly. "It’s not just an undertaking; it’s power, power that outlasts wealth and armies. Influence young minds, and you influence nations’ futures. If done right, the Osborn name will be embedded into their lives before they can even say it."

He paused for effect before turning his focus to Charlotte.

"Charlotte," he said, locking eyes with her as if sharing a secret mission. "You’ll take on a role at the Panterra World Council in Zephyria, specifically within the International Court division.

You’ll start as a junior judge,a title that may seem modest on paper but will place you close to some of the most influential political figures on Earth."

Charlotte’s brow furrowed slightly as she processed this information. "And what’s my real role?"

Arthur softened his gaze while maintaining his resolve.

"There are details I can’t disclose just yet, but know this: you won’t be alone in your journey. I’ll guide you from behind the scenes. Prepare yourself; you’ll depart in a few days."

Silence enveloped them for a moment as they exchanged glances,each grappling with the weight of their new responsibilities.

Billy finally broke the tension with a chuckle, leaning back in his chair and exhaling dramatically.

"So... no pressure then?"

A faint smile tugged at Arthur’s lips,not quite full but definitely there.

"Pressure is what transforms coal into diamonds! Now start strategizing your moves because our family is already making strides."

With that final note of urgency hanging in the air like an electric charge, Arthur stood up decisively and walked toward the doors without looking back,the sound of his footsteps echoing through the vastness of the Main Palace.

The three sat there for a long while after, each lost in their own thoughts, the weight of the future pressing down on them in different ways.