From Elias' office, it was only a short walk to Maddox Holdings and a long elevator ride to the 39th floor.
Lex arrived ten minutes early.
Barnie wouldn't expect it—he never did.
The conference room was a picture of calculated wealth. Floor-to-ceiling windows framed the skyline, the glossy mahogany table stretching across the space like a stage.
At the head sat a single leather-bound planner—Barnie's signature prop, always placed just so.
Lex didn't sit.
Instead, he lingered by the window, hands in his pockets, gazing at the streets below. The city looked smaller from up here. Power changed perspectives.
The soft hiss of the door broke the quiet.
"You're early."
Bernard Maddox III—known to the world as Barnie—entered with the ease of a man who had been winning for decades.
His charcoal three piece suit was precise, his polished shoes clicking softly against the marble. His pale blue eyes, sharp and calculating, met Lex's in the reflection of the glass.
Uncle and nephew.
Blood, but barely family.
"Well, this is a surprise," Barnie said, setting a thin stack of files on the table. His tone was smooth, almost conversational, but the undercurrent was unmistakable. "I assumed you'd stroll in late, distracted by… whatever it is you've decided to waste your time on these days."
Lex turned from the window, a faint smirk at the corners of his mouth. "Guess I'm full of surprises."
Barnie studied him a beat longer, intrigue flickering beneath his usual composure. "It would seem so."
Lex moved deliberately, taking the chair directly opposite Barnie and lowering himself into it with deliberate ease.
His uncle had always commanded a room with presence. Lex wasn't giving him that today.
Barnie slid open the top folder, eyes flicking across its contents. "You met with Elias this morning."
Lex leaned back in his chair. "Briefly. He's thorough, as usual."
Barnie's lips curled into a faint smirk. "Thorough is one word. Obsolete is another."
The jab wasn't new.
Barnie had never liked Elias—too loyal to the Latham name, too principled for Barnie's liking. The old lawyer had been a thorn in his side for years.
"Obsolete doesn't usually win," Lex replied, voice light.
Barnie chuckled, tapping his fingers against the table. "True. But you'll find, Lex, that loyalty often gets in the way of efficiency. Elias can't look after you forever."
Lex didn't flinch. "I didn't come here to talk about Elias."
Barnie arched a brow, leaning back slightly. "No? Then why are we here?"
"University."
Barnie's expression didn't shift, but something flickered in his eyes.
"Ah, yes." He gestured vaguely toward the files. "I arranged for your enrollment. Early admission. Business and finance. A 1,000-hour internship. It'll look excellent on paper when the time comes."
Lex's tone was even. "When I turn eighteen, the trustees approve me, and I gain partial access to the trust."
Barnie didn't deny it. "You'll need the right credentials to make the transition seamless. I'm setting you up for success."
The words were smooth, deliberate. To anyone else, they might have sounded genuine.
Lex heard the subtext.
You're a pawn.
"You didn't pull me out of high school for fun," Lex said. "This is about image."
Barnie tilted his head slightly, smirking. "It's about making sure you're prepared. You may think you're clever, Lex, but clever only gets you so far. People respect polish, not rebellion."
Lex held his gaze. "You always did care about appearances, Uncle."
Barnie's smile didn't waver. "Appearances are everything."
Silence stretched between them.
Then, finally, Lex pushed his chair back and stood. "I'll be starting in a month."
Barnie inclined his head. "Good."
Lex adjusted his jacket. "But before that, I intend to make my mark."
Barnie's gaze sharpened slightly. "And what exactly does that mean?"
Lex smirked. "Guess you'll find out."
He turned to leave but paused at the door.
"Oh, and Barnie—tell Trent to find a better spot to park next time. He's not subtle. I also won't be letting him into my space.Ever."
Barnie's pen stilled mid-signature.
Slowly, he looked up, amusement flickering across his face. "Duly noted."
Lex let the door swing shut behind him, walking down the corridor with steady steps.
The weight of Barnie's gaze lingered.
He thought he was setting the pieces in place.
But Lex wasn't just another piece on the board.
He was playing to win.