Chapter-06

Billy and the Roy family were gathered for breakfast. The aroma of freshly brewed coffee and buttered toast filled the air, but there was an undercurrent of tension rippling beneath the clinking silverware. Amy Roy, Billy's mother, beamed at her son, her eyes shining with pride as she addressed him.

"Billy, you've truly outdone yourself. That design was simply splendid! You have an incredible gift."

Her words barely had a moment to settle before they were cut down. Omio Roy, Billy's father, turned to her with a sharp, disapproving look. His voice, measured and devoid of warmth, sliced through the room like a blade.

"No need to shower him with praise. We ensured he studied both art and business. This level of performance is expected, not extraordinary. There's no need to butter him up."

Billy leaned back slightly, his expression calm, a mask he had learned to wear well. "Dad's right. I only made a small contribution to the business."

Across the table, Ron Roy smirked as he set down his glass of juice. "That's not true, brother. Your quick decision saved the company's reputation. I'm proud to see you growing into a capable man."

Billy's thoughts raced. Am I imagining things, or is he actually praising me?

"Thank you, brother," he responded cautiously.

Grace, his aunt, chimed in, her voice velvety smooth yet laced with something unreadable. "My beloved nephew, you're growing into a fine man. I pray you bring goodness into this mansion."

A strange chill ran down Billy's spine. There was something unsettling about her words—an unspoken warning hidden within the softness of her tone.

Later that morning, Billy arrived at his office, determination burning in his veins. He took his seat at the head of the long conference table, his elite design team assembled before him. These were no ordinary professionals; they were handpicked by Rin Roy himself to uphold the legacy of Roy Expo, the empire of the jewelry industry.

Billy's sharp gaze swept across the room before he cleared his throat, his voice commanding and resolute. "Listen carefully. We are a team—a united force. Rin Roy entrusted us with the most critical aspect of this business: design. It is the heart and soul of our success. We've created masterpieces that have left people speechless, yet one was stolen. Yes, I managed the situation and salvaged our reputation, but it wasn't a victory. Why? Because we failed to protect our creation. That is unacceptable. We must be more vigilant than ever."

A manager hesitantly raised a hand. "Sir, with all due respect, we have the most stringent security measures in place. It's nearly impossible for a Roy Expo design to be stolen. Our systems are foolproof."

Billy's gaze hardened. It's possible when someone on the inside makes it possible.

Aloud, he said, "What's done is done. We can't change the past, but we can ensure it never happens again."

The manager nodded. "Understood, sir. We've already increased security—not just in design but across production. Nothing can move without our knowledge."

"That's good," Billy acknowledged. "But not enough. From now on, I want daily reports from each of you. Klaus," he turned to a senior employee, "you will track progress every hour. Keep all matters strictly confidential. Share information only with those who absolutely need to know. I will not tolerate any negligence moving forward."

The room murmured in agreement. "Yes, sir."

Billy nodded. "Now, get back to work."

As the room emptied, Billy leaned back in his chair, his mind racing. There's no doubt—someone on the inside is working against us. And outside these walls, my enemies are uncountable and far more cunning than I am. I can't afford blind trust anymore. My every move must be calculated.

Meanwhile, several managers, having just left Billy's office, made their way toward Ron Roy's private chamber. They entered one by one, each describing Billy's new directives.

One of them, shifting uneasily, finally asked, "Sir, what should we do?"

Ron Roy leaned back in his chair, a sly smile stretching across his lips before erupting into a slow, mocking laugh. "Oh, my little brother has grown up, has he? Now he's making plans? How impressive."

The manager hesitated. "But sir, if Billy succeeds, what happens to us? Sir, instruct us on what we should do now."

Ron's expression turned cold, his voice dripping with malice. "What a foolish question. You'll follow his instructions, of course—but not in the way he expects. Billy wants daily reports? Give them to him. But ensure the information is misleading. Confuse him. Let him make decisions based on flawed data. One wrong move, and Rin Roy will have no choice but to remove him. Once that happens… it's game over."

The manager frowned. "But sir… what if he finds out?"

Ron waved a dismissive hand. "You overthink things. Don't raise red flags all at once. Instead, manipulate minor details—report sudden equipment shortages, implement unnecessary upgrades, inflate costs under the guise of efficiency. Billy's new to business; he won't grasp the intricacies of budgeting. As a result, every logical decision he makes will ultimately hurt the company. Do you understand?"

The manager's unease gave way to realization. He nodded slowly. "Yes, sir. We'll make sure he never gets the full picture."

Ron's grin widened, dark and victorious. "Excellent. Remember, this isn't just about outsmarting Billy—it's about ensuring he fails so spectacularly that even Rin Roy can't save him."

The chessboard was set. The pieces were moving. And Billy Roy had just walked into a war he didn't yet realize had begun.