Neil couldn't hide his surprise. After years of Lucas refusing to consider a private plane, this sudden change caught him off guard. "So, what kind of plane did you have in mind?"
"Honestly, I don't know much about planes," Lucas admitted with a shrug. "What would you recommend?"
"Well," Neil added thoughtfully, "I'm not exactly an aviation expert myself. We should probably look at some options, see which one suits your needs best."
"Jennifer's got a Bombardier Global 5000," Lucas mentioned, then added with a slight smile, "But I'd rather find something that feels right for me."
Neil shot Lucas an amused look. "Finally thinking about yourself for once. Private plane, new house - who are you and what have you done with Lucas Knight?"
"Don't remind me," Lucas groaned. "Between the house and plane maintenance, my wallet's already crying."
"Please," Neil chuckled. "With your net worth, this is pocket change and you know it."
"Speaking of property," Lucas shifted topics, "what's happening with the two million house?"
"Listed it at 2.3 million already," Neil replied confidently.
Lucas frowned. "After a break-in? That price might scare buyers away."
"Trust me," Neil's smile widened. "The Lucas Knight factor alone will attract buyers."
"In that case," Lucas said thoughtfully, "announce that all proceeds will go to charity."
Neil's eyes widened. "The entire 2.3 million?"
Lucas nodded without hesitation.
Neil shook his head with a soft laugh, sunlight from the tall windows playing across his features. "I should've known. Years of working with you, and you're still the most extreme philanthropist I've ever met."
Lucas crossed his arms, leaning against the mahogany doorframe. "Someone has to be."
"You know," Neil said, pulling out his phone and scrolling through something, "there are all these YouTubers and Facebook creators getting millions of views helping people. They're using that revenue to help even more people. Maybe if you—"
"No." Lucas's voice cut through the air sharply. "Recording acts of kindness for views? That's not helping others - that's helping yourself. I prefer earning my money through actual work and helping people quietly." His fingers drummed against his arm. "The moment you turn on a camera, it becomes about the content creator, not the people they're supposedly helping."
Neil studied Lucas's face for a moment, taking in his firm expression. Finally, he sighed, shoulders dropping slightly. "Yeah, you've got a point there."
Unbeknownst to Neil, he understood the online world intimately. In his previous life, he'd watched content creators manufacture emotional moments with dramatic music and carefully edited shots. These weren't acts of kindness - they were calculated performances, exploiting vulnerable people for easy views.
***
The next morning, Lucas and Neil headed to the private aviation center, their security detail following close behind. Thomas Barrett, the head of aircraft sales, greeted them at the entrance.
"Mr. Knight, what an honor," Barrett smiled warmly. "Neil mentioned you're interested in acquiring an aircraft?"
Lucas nodded as Barrett gestured toward the hangar. "Please, let me show you our finest selections. I think you'll be particularly impressed with our Gulfstream lineup."
"Let's start with the Gulfstream G550," Barrett gestured toward the sleek aircraft. "Forty-five million. Thirteen passengers, range of 6,750 nautical miles."
Inside, Lucas took in the sophisticated cabin layout. The leather seats and wood finishes reflected the hangar lights, creating an atmosphere of understated luxury.
"These entertainment systems are incredible," Neil tried out the controls. "Each seat has its own climate settings too."
"If you like this, wait until you see the G650," Barrett's eyes lit up. "Sixty-five million, but the upgrades are substantial. Longer range, better fuel efficiency, and the cabin space..." He led them toward the next hangar.
The G650's interior drew appreciative looks from both Lucas and Neil. The extended cabin featured enhanced lighting and even more refined finishes.
"Perfect for transcontinental flights," Barrett explained. "Los Angeles to Tokyo with fuel to spare."
Moving on, they explored the Bombardier Global 6000 at fifty-eight million. Its sophisticated cabin design included a separate stateroom and enhanced galley space.
"The Lineage 1000E is another option," Barrett guided them to the Embraer aircraft. "Fifty-three million, largest cabin cross-section in its class."
"For someone of your caliber, Mr. Knight," Barrett added with a knowing smile, "we could certainly discuss favorable pricing."
"What's catching your eye?" Neil asked, watching Lucas examine each aircraft's specifications with careful attention.
Lucas surveyed the aircraft, whistling softly. "These are impressive, but got anything cheaper?"
"Mr. Knight," Thomas chuckled, "with your success? Between your films and investments - Uber Eats, Vine which I use daily by the way - these prices are well within your range."
"Still," Lucas sighed, "any room for negotiation?"
Thomas's eyes lit up. "Well, if you'd consider doing a short video for your Twitter, showcasing the jet and mentioning our dealership... we might knock a few million off."
"Deal." Lucas extended his hand with a grin.
After they shared a laugh, Lucas turned serious. "So which one would you honestly recommend?"
"The G650," Thomas replied without hesitation. "Perfect balance of range, comfort, and reliability. Most versatile aircraft in our lineup."
Lucas considered it for a moment before nodding. "Let's do it."
He pulled out his phone, handing it to Neil. "Time to earn that discount."
Thomas gathered some of his staff to watch as Lucas filmed himself touring the facility, then boarding the G650. His natural charm showed as he moved through the cabin, highlighting features while keeping the tone casual and authentic.
***
The next day, Lucas's dealership video hit Twitter, racking up fifteen million views within hours.
"Can't believe Lucas finally got a private jet 😭"
"No more spotting Lucas at LAX terminals?"
"Remember when we used to ignore him at airports thinking it was another YouTuber prank? Now look at us 💀"
"All those times I could've sat next to Lucas Knight on a commercial flight... the regret is real"
The video sparked waves of nostalgic posts about Lucas's commercial flight days - fans sharing stories of spotting him in airport lounges or queuing at security checkpoints.
But not everyone celebrated. Several media outlets jumped on the purchase:
"Has Success Changed Hollywood's Most Humble Star?"
"The Real Lucas Knight? Actor's Recent Luxury Purchases Raise Eyebrows"
The media frenzy intensified as news of Lucas's private jet purchase spread. Critics pounced on the story, painting it as evidence of his "true colors" emerging. Entertainment blogs dredged up photos of him at the Rolex store, crafting narratives about his transformation from Hollywood's humble hero to just another wealthy elite.
"What happened to the Lucas who gave away half his earnings?" one viral post questioned. "Now he's collecting luxury watches and private planes?"
The conspiracy theorists had their own wild takes: "The real Lucas Knight has been replaced!" these posts claimed. "Look at his behavior changes - Rolex, private jet, new house. The original Lucas would never!" These theories spread across Reddit and Twitter, with users analyzing photos for "proof" that this was a different person entirely.
***
The security gates of Lucas's Beverly Park estate hummed open as Jennifer's SUV pulled up. She stepped out, her eyes taking in the sprawling property.
"Hey," Lucas greeted her with a warm smile.
Jennifer wrapped him in a tight hug before pulling back to survey the mansion. "This is seriously impressive. You finally did it - got yourself a proper house."
"Come on in," Lucas gestured toward the entrance.
"Thank God you moved," Jennifer said, following him inside. "No more dealing with stalkers climbing your old fence or paparazzi camping in their cars. Those 'neighbors' who were actually tabloid photographers?" She shook her head. "This is what you should've done years ago - somewhere actually secure."
Lucas chuckled softly. "Back then, I kept thinking it'd be such a waste of money."
"Clearly not," Jennifer snorted, settling into one of the plush chairs. "This is probably the best decision you've made in a while."
As they toured the house, Jennifer's expression grew serious. "Any word from the police about the break-in?"
"Neil says they're tracking some leads," Lucas replied, leading her through the kitchen.
"Just glad you weren't there when it happened," Jennifer squeezed his arm gently.
"Those guys didn't seem to take anything significant," Lucas sighed. "except for the guitar. I've had that guitar for years, even used it during the filming of Like Crazy. And now, it's gone."
"God, I remember that guitar," Jennifer nodded. "Got you through some rough times, didn't it?"
"Come on," Lucas guided her back to the living room, reaching for the remote. "You should rest after that flight."
Lucas busied himself in the kitchen, pulling ingredients together for a simple meal. In the living room, Jennifer flipped through channels until a news headline caught her eye.
"Lucas! Get in here!" she called out urgently.
On screen, an entertainment reporter stood outside an LAPD station: "Items stolen from actor Lucas Knight's Beverly Hills home have surfaced on eBay, including a guitar reportedly used in some of his films. Current bidding has reached twenty thousand dollars, with experts expecting the price to climb significantly due to its connection to the star..."
"That's my guitar," Lucas said quietly, leaning against the doorframe. The camera panned across photos of his belongings being auctioned - mugs, clothes, personal items. But his eyes remained fixed on the guitar listing.
"This is insane," Jennifer shook her head. "People are actually bidding on stolen property? And some of them are going after your hair, and mugs? This is beyond weird."
The news showed screenshots of various eBay listings, each accompanied by claims about their authenticity as "genuine Lucas Knight possessions." The guitar's current bid flashed across the screen again: $20,875.