The gated Vault

It was Saturday Morning, Lex sat in one of the heavy armchairs across from Elias, sinking slightly into the worn leather. The weight of the chair always made him feel younger, like he was sitting in his father's seat, legs not quite reaching the floor.

This was something that couldn't wait. Atleast not in Lex's mind.

Elias sat behind his desk, carefully straightening a stack of papers as if the world wasn't moving around them. His hands were steady, the way they had always been, but there was something in the lines around his eyes—something heavier.

Lex waited, letting the silence stretch between them.

Finally, Elias looked up, his gaze soft but direct. "I can't help but notice, Lex… you're starting to sound a lot like your father."

Lex's fingers curled slightly against the armrest, but he kept his expression calm. "I'll take that as a compliment."

Elias's eyes lingered on him for a long moment. "It is," Elias said quietly. "But you know what I mean."

Lex glanced around the office, his gaze drifting toward the shelf behind Elias's desk.

The photograph of his great-grandfather, Maddox, stood in its usual spot—frozen in black and white, staring out over the beginnings of the Maddox empire.

Lex swallowed the faint tightness in his throat. "He would've done the same thing, Elias. Riverstone's not just a purchase. It's a foothold."

Elias leaned back in his chair, folding his hands on the desk. "Twelve million is a large foothold," he said softly. "Even for you."

Lex exhaled slowly. "You know better than anyone my father left me more than money. He left me responsibility. And part of that is making sure Barnie doesn't get to write the next chapter of this family."

Elias said nothing for a moment, his gaze dropping to the papers on his desk.

"I've known you since you were born, Lex," Elias said after a pause, his voice quieter now. "I watched your father stand in this very room, having the same conversations. He always looked ahead, sometimes too far. But he was careful."

Lex smiled faintly. "I'm being careful."

"No," Elias corrected gently. "You're being bold. Like your grandfather. And that's not a bad thing. But William—he took his time."

Lex's smile faded slightly. His eyes flicked toward the photograph again.

"I don't have time, Elias," Lex said softly. "Barnie's already playing his hand. I need to build something now, not five years from now."

Elias watched him carefully. The old lawyer's gaze softened just slightly, and for a brief second, Lex swore he saw something else there—the quiet acknowledgment of how much had been lost.

Elias leaned forward, pulling out a folder and carefully flipping through the pages. "You're lucky I've always liked you," he muttered.

Lex chuckled under his breath. "I know."

Elias signed the authorization papers with deliberate strokes, pausing only once to adjust his glasses. When he was done, he slid the folder across the desk.

"The funds will transfer once the penthouse sale clears," Elias said, resting his hand lightly on the papers. He hesitated, then added quietly, "Lex… I hope you know what you're doing."

Lex met his gaze directly. "I do."

Elias held his stare for a long moment, then nodded. "Alright. But this is the last request for a while. Your father trusted me to protect what he built, and I won't let you burn through it chasing ghosts."

Lex stood, tucking the papers under his arm. His hand rested lightly on the edge of the desk for just a moment longer than necessary.

"I'm not chasing ghosts," Lex said softly, his eyes flicking toward the portrait of his great-grandfather. "I'm trying to bring them back."

Elias watched as Lex headed for the door, but just as Lex reached for the handle, Elias's voice stopped him.

"Your father wouldn't have minded," Elias said quietly. "He'd want you to take back what's yours."

Lex didn't turn around, but his grip on the door tightened just slightly.

"I know," Lex replied. "That's why I have to do it."

The door closed behind him with a soft click, leaving Elias alone in the quiet office, staring at the empty chair Lex had left behind.