Chapter 198: Someone Important Has Arrived
Meanwhile…
Deep inside Lanai Group Headquarters, overlooking the island’s breathtaking coastline…
Vice General Manager Lilith Kane was in the middle of reviewing several reports when her private phone suddenly rang.
She glanced at the caller ID.
It was the board’s encrypted internal line.
Lilith immediately straightened her posture.
She brushed a few strands of silky black hair behind her ear before answering the call.
“Hello… this is Lilith speaking.”
She listened quietly for several seconds.
Then…
Her expression changed.
“…What?”
“The new owner has arrived?”
“Already?”
“He’s at the ferry terminal now?”
Her heartbeat instantly sped up.
“…Understood.”
“I’ll take care of everything immediately.”
The call ended.
A second later, another notification appeared on her phone.
It contained a confidential personnel file.
At the top…
Was a photograph.
Lucas.
Lilith stared at the handsome young man on the screen for a moment.
Her beautiful eyes widened slightly.
“So young…”
She had expected the new owner to be an elderly billionaire or some powerful business magnate.
Instead…
The man who had just acquired Lanai Group looked like he was barely out of college.
Without wasting another second…
Lilith quickly stood up.
“Call an emergency executive meeting.”
“Right now.”
—
Less than three minutes later…
Nearly every senior executive of Lanai Group had gathered inside the conference room.
The atmosphere was unusually tense.
Everyone looked toward Lilith, wondering why they had been summoned so suddenly.
Lilith placed both hands on the conference table before speaking in a calm but commanding voice.
“Everyone.”
“I’ve just received confirmation from the board.”
“Lanai Group has officially changed ownership.”
A wave of shock instantly swept across the room.
“What?”
“The company was sold?”
“Impossible…”
“Who could afford something this expensive?”
Lanai Island wasn’t just another tourist destination.
It had taken years of construction and well over one hundred billion dollars in investments to transform it into one of the country’s most luxurious private resorts.
Buying the entire island…
Was something only the world’s wealthiest people could even consider.
Ignoring everyone’s shocked expressions, Lilith continued.
“Our new owner has already arrived.”
“He’s currently at the ferry terminal.”
“I need every department head to stop whatever they’re are doing.”
“We’re going to personally welcome him.”
The room immediately fell silent.
No one questioned her order.
Anyone capable of purchasing Lanai Group outright…
Was someone none of them could afford to offend.
Lilith quickly began issuing instructions.
“Notify the Concierge Department immediately.”
“I want the limited-edition Rolls-Royce Phantom brought to the terminal.”
“The welcome team should be assembled within five minutes.”
“I also want Security, Guest Relations, and Executive Services present.”
“Everything must be flawless.”
Her sharp, efficient commands echoed throughout the room.
The executives hurried out one after another, each rushing to carry out their assignments.
Within moments…
The entire headquarters had sprung into action.
Employees who had no idea what was happening only knew one thing…
Someone incredibly important was arriving.
—
At the same time…
The ferry carrying Lucas and the others had already docked.
Passengers disembarked in neat lines before entering Lanai Island’s magnificent reception terminal.
The building itself resembled a luxury airport lounge more than a tourist center.
Floor-to-ceiling glass walls overlooked the ocean.
Marble floors reflected the sunlight streaming in from outside.
Soft music played through hidden speakers while smiling staff welcomed every arriving guest.
At the end of the reception hall…
Several employees stood behind elegant counters verifying each guest’s reservation.
Once a ticket was confirmed…
The guest received a sleek sky-blue electronic wristband.
The wristband wasn’t just an admission pass.
It also served as the guest’s room key, transportation pass, digital wallet, and VIP access card for every attraction across the island.
With it…
Visitors could ride the complimentary island shuttles, access private beaches, reserve entertainment facilities, and enjoy exclusive services throughout their stay.
Beyond the checkpoint…
Luxury sightseeing vehicles were already waiting to transport guests directly to their assigned resorts.
Everything operated with remarkable efficiency.
The entire arrival process felt less like checking into a vacation destination…
And more like entering a private paradise.
—
Naturally…
Bryce immediately stepped into the spotlight.
Without anyone asking…
He assumed the role of group leader.
“Alright, everyone!”
“Stay together.”
“We’re checking in first.”
“After that we’ll head straight to the resort.”
The Student Union members instinctively followed behind him.
However…
As Bryce turned around…
His expression darkened.
Maya…
Was still standing beside Lucas.
Not only that…
She was practically glued to him.
Bryce’s jaw tightened.
“Maya.”
“Hurry over.”
He forced a smile.
“The students will be checking into the hotel in a minute.”
“The rooms are limited.”
“If we get there late, somebody else will take them.”
Several students immediately echoed him.
“Yeah, Maya.”
“Bryce’s the one who got us these tickets.”
“Lucas doesn’t even have one.”
“He’ll probably get turned away before he even reaches the checkpoint.”
“There’s no point standing with him.”
“You don’t want to miss being part of the very first group visiting Lanai Island, right?”
Another student laughed.
“Maya…”
“Seriously.”
“I don’t get it.”
“What does Lucas have that Bryce doesn’t?”
“Our Bryce has money…”
“Connections…”
“He practically got this entire trip approved…”
Before he could accidentally reveal too much…
Bryce quickly interrupted.
“Alright, alright.”
“Enough.”
Then he looked directly at Maya.
“The school trusted you with this trip.”
“As Student Union President, you’re responsible for everyone here.”
“So stop standing around.”
“Come over.”
“We’re checking in first.”
“After that…”
He smiled confidently.
“We’re having a beach bonfire tonight.”
His eyes sparkled with anticipation.
Everything had already been prepared.
The lights.
The flowers.
The fireworks.
Even the students who would cheer when he confessed had already been arranged.
Bryce had spent days planning the perfect confession.
He was convinced that once Maya witnessed everything…
She wouldn’t be able to reject him.
As for Kristine…
Bryce barely gave her a second thought anymore.
She had always been nothing more than a backup.
Someone convenient.
Today’s confession would make everything crystal clear.
Once Kristine watched him pursue Maya…
She’d finally understand they were never going to happen.
And hopefully…
She’d stop chasing him altogether.
—
Hearing Bryce once again hide behind the school’s authority…
Maya sighed helplessly.
Then…
Almost unconsciously…
She looked toward Lucas.
Her beautiful eyes carried a hint of dependence.
“Lucas…”
“What should we do?”
Lucas smiled calmly.
He gently squeezed her shoulder before looking toward the Student Union members.
“If that’s the case…”
He raised his voice slightly.
“Everyone.”
“Come over here.”
“The school appointed Maya as the leader of this trip.”
“And Maya happens to be standing beside me.”
“So…”
“If you’re supposed to follow your leader…”
“Why are all of you standing behind Bryce?”
He looked around innocently.
“Last time I checked…”
“He’s not Student Union President.”
“Or did I miss something?”
The crowd immediately fell silent.
Bryce burst into laughter.
“Follow you?”
He looked at Lucas as though he’d just heard the funniest joke imaginable.
“Maybe you should ask them who actually organized this trip.”
“If these students follow you…”
“They’ll only end up getting escorted right back onto the ferry once the staff realizes you don’t even have tickets.”
Then Bryce turned dramatically toward everyone else.
“Let’s make this simple.”
“If anyone wants to follow Lucas…”
“Go ahead.”
“I won’t stop you.”
He folded his arms confidently.
He already knew the answer.
Nobody was stupid enough to throw away a once-in-a-lifetime vacation.
Exactly as expected…
One by one…
The students shook their heads.
Only Cassandra Bonnet, the breathtaking beauty from the Mechanical Engineering Department, hesitated slightly.
Bryce’s loyal followers immediately began speaking up.
“I’m sticking with Bryce.”
“Same here.”
“He got us here.”
“Maya, stop wasting everyone’s time.”
Another boy sneered toward Lucas.
“I bet he’s hoping to sneak in with our group.”
Someone else laughed.
“Bryce…”
“You better keep an eye on him.”
“He might try slipping through security.”
Laughter spread through the group.
Lucas, meanwhile…
Didn’t seem bothered in the slightest.
Instead…
He casually glanced at the time on his phone.
Inwardly…
He was calculating.
The system had already transferred ownership.
By now…
The news should have reached Lanai Group.
If the frontline staff still hadn’t been notified…
Things might get awkward.
Lucas had no interest in arguing with ticket inspectors.
He’d rather wait another minute.
From experience…
Whenever the system rewarded him with a major asset…
Someone important always came looking for him.
Once that happened…
Everything would sort itself out.
Watching Lucas stand there without saying a word…
Bryce became even more convinced.
The guy was bluffing.
He smirked proudly.
There was no need to expose Lucas himself.
Soon enough…
Security would do it for him.
Once Lucas was denied entry…
Maya would have no choice but to board the island with everyone else.
Standing there with his hands in his pockets…
Bryce looked at Lucas with the smug satisfaction of a man who believed victory was already in his hands.
He had no idea…
The real owner of Lanai Island was standing less than ten feet away.