Chapter 7 The Scheme
1159 Words
Ryan Lancaster gave a faint smile and shook his head lightly.
Truth be told, just being reunited with his father was enough. As for everything that had been stolen from them—he'd reclaim it all, bit by bit.
"You're home at last, son," Zandon Lancaster said, voice trembling as he discreetly wiped his eyes. "I can't have you sleeping rough with me. Wait here—I'll find us a proper place to rent."
The thought of his son returning to homelessness twisted like a knife in his heart.
"Don't worry about it, Dad." Ryan's quiet words carried surprising weight.
Just then, Tobias pulled the car to a stop and opened the rear door with a respectful nod. "Sir, Mr. Lancaster—we're here."
Alahia, ever the lively teenager, practically launched herself from the passenger seat. When she saw what lay before them, her mouth fell open in astonishment.
Before them stood a majestic three-story villa nestled in the mountains, surrounded by lush greenery and babbling streams. The elegant architecture framed a manicured courtyard, and even from outside, the luxurious interior was evident.
"This place is incredible!" Alahia blurted out, unable to contain her excitement.
"This was the finest property available on short notice," Tobias explained, turning to her. "If it doesn't suit you, Miss Lancaster, I can arrange better accommodations within three days."
"Brother... is he serious?" Alahia whispered, eyes wide. "This... this is really ours?"
Ryan's lips quirked in amusement as he took the keys from Tobias and walked confidently toward the entrance.
Halfway to the door, he realized neither his father nor sister had moved.
"Come on," he said, his voice uncharacteristically gentle. "This is where we belong now."
Through countless life-or-death situations, thoughts of family had been his anchor. Now that he was back, he'd stop at nothing to keep them safe.
Zandon stood frozen before the villa, his wrinkled face suddenly wet with tears.
"My boy, you've done so well! Were you... decorated in the service?" Zandon's voice cracked with emotion.
Seeing his father like this wrenched Ryan's heart. There was a time when Zandon had been full of vigor—back when Ryan himself had gazed at his father with wide-eyed admiration.
Now their roles were reversed.
The pillar of strength who'd stood firm for decades now looked up to his son like a child.
But years of discipline had schooled Ryan's features into calm. "Just doing my duty," he said with a faint smile. "Let's go in."
Before Zandon could respond, Alahia dashed inside, squealing with delight. She hadn't lived in a house this grand since childhood...
"Come, Dad." Ryan steadied his father's trembling steps as they entered together.
From this moment on, every last one who'd wronged his family would pay.
The four great families?
It's time for new players.
...
The villa was move-in ready. Upstairs, Alahia claimed a bedroom, her face lit with a teenager's unrestrained grin.
In the study, Ryan sat across from Zandon. Their profiles mirrored each other—same strong jawline, same determined brow—but where age had softened Zandon's edges, Ryan's gaze held a predator's glint.
"I'm back to settle scores with the four families," Ryan said casually, though the steel in his voice betrayed his intent.
"Your plan?" Even aged, Zandon had once been a titan—a man who knew how to endure and rise again. Now, with his son returned, clarity returned to his weary eyes.
"An eye for an eye," Ryan answered, each word deliberate.
They spoke long into the evening. When Ryan finally rose to leave, a rare, satisfied smirk played on his lips.
One month later, on his mother's anniversary, the remaining three families would gather—willing or not.
Their attendance wasn't optional.
Wasn't their goal to wipe out the Lancaster family? Weren't they desperate to see Ryan Lancaster dead?
Then let them come.
The moment they showed their faces, Ryan wouldn't hold back. Every hardship his family endured would be repaid tenfold!
This wasn't just revenge against those so-called Four Great Families. More importantly, it was a declaration to the world: Ryan had returned, and with him, the Lancasters' glory would rise again.
And then there was that "accident" years ago—too perfectly timed to be chance. Ryan would uncover the truth.
Anyone calling it an accident was either a fool or a liar.
And the noble families of Virelia State—they topped his list of suspects.
No opponent would escape his wrath.
Back in the study...
Zandon sat stiffly in the antique chair Ryan had arranged for him, gazing blankly through the window. A tear carved a path through the wrinkles of his weathered face.
"Our boy's done it... truly done it," he whispered, voice cracking. "Your justice will come, my love. If you're watching from beyond, I know you're smiling." The photo shook in his gnarled fingers—a faded image of his younger self beside a delicate-featured woman. Her head rested against his shoulder, lips curved in the demure smile of bygone days.
The woman who brought Ryan into this world—and left too soon.
Later that night...
The penthouse suite of Jadehaven's Grand Aurelian Hotel pulsed with barely contained tension. Three men in tailored suits sat around the conference table, each protected by a phalanx of grim-faced guards.
Had Ryan been present, he'd have recognized them instantly—the last surviving patriarchs of the Four Great Families.
The atmosphere was suffocating.
"How is that bastard still alive?" The James patriarch's grip turned his whiskey glass white-knuckled. "Weren't we told he died on some battlefield?"
"Who knows? Relax, it's just some greenhorn punk. What trouble could he possibly cause? The Lancasters are already finished," drawled the portly Head Ethan, lounging carelessly in his chair.
He'd just received word of his nephew being neutralized—a development that secretly pleased him. One less rival for his son's inheritance.
"Remember: 'Even the smallest spark can start a prairie fire.' Don't underestimate them," cautioned another voice.
"Enough! We're talking about the last remnant of a ruined house. Just snuff it out."
"Haven't you heard? The Radiance Family was wiped out by Ryan Lancaster alone. Their people still tremble at his name."
"And you'd dare take such a man lightly?"
"Pah! The Radiances were spineless cowards. How could they compare to us?"
The three family heads argued like scavengers—some dismissive, others already envisioning Ryan's demise.
"Enough," said Head James coldly, locking eyes with Head Brianna. "We're all complicit in this. No one walks away clean now. Let's finish this together—erase the Lancasters completely."
His son's humiliation still burned fresh. When they captured that Lancaster whelp, he'd make the boy suffer tenfold.
The Briannas, strongest of the four families, held the deciding vote. Their agreement would force the Ethans' hand.
"Done," growled Head Brianna, slamming the table.
"Just some failed soldier," chuckled Head Ethan. "We'll tear him out by the roots."
- Writer
