Victor took a measured sip of tea. With calm precision, he set the cup down, his voice cutting through the quiet air like a blade.
"Yes, everything's settled. All that's left is for you to review the documents and sign off, provided everything meets your satisfaction. Let me know if there's anything specific you'd like me to note from your side."
He paused, giving Max a moment to process the weight of his words, then continued, tone deliberate and steady.
"Your father anticipated the possibility of an unexpected situation and prepared accordingly. I followed his instructions to the letter. However, now that you're at the helm of this family, it's entirely up to you to decide whether his arrangements align with your vision."
Victor's gaze flicked briefly to the polished table before he added with quiet emphasis,
"You may also want to review your assets carefully. Some of them might surprise you—given your previous detachment to business."
He let the statement settle in the air, giving Max time to absorb it, before pulling his briefcase closer. With practised ease, he opened it and retrieved a thick stack of documents, placing them neatly on the table in front of the young man.
"These," Victor said, gesturing to the bundle, "contain everything you need to know about the Knight household's holdings, the taxes paid on your inheritance, and a breakdown of your father's investments. Take your time. If you have questions, I'm here."
He pointed to a marked section and spoke with quiet authority.
"When you're satisfied, sign here to finalise everything."
Then, with deliberate care, he slid the documents across the table and leaned back slightly, signalling that the decision was now in Max's hands.
Max's gaze followed the stack as it came to rest before him.
A swirl of nervousness, curiosity, and anticipation welled up inside him. Whatever lay within these pages would shape his future—and define the empire he intended to build.
He drew a deep breath, steadying himself, and reached out with his right hand to lift the bundle. His fingers brushed the paper like it might burn him. His gaze flicked to Victor, who watched silently, the picture of patient dedication.
Victor's calm demeanour didn't waver. As both an elder and professional advisor, he saw it as his duty to guide Max, not rush him. He'd cleared his entire day, ready to stay as long as necessary.
Max began with the inheritance tax report, eyes narrowing as he scanned the figures.
To his relief, Victor had managed to cover the taxes entirely from the family's liquid assets—cash reserves and bank holdings—without selling off a single property.
He looked up, his voice thoughtful but firm.
"Uncle, did my father specifically instruct you not to sell any properties and to use only cash reserves?"
Victor nodded, his tone calm and professional.
"Yes. He believed most of the assets held too much value, financially and sentimentally, to part with. He planned for taxes to be paid from liquid funds and was prepared to take loans if necessary."
"Some of these properties generate consistent revenue, so repaying a loan would've been manageable. Thankfully, we didn't need to go that route. My team designed a strategy to minimise losses—and you've managed to hold on to everything essential."
He paused for emphasis.
"However, the cash reserves have taken a substantial hit. You now have just over fifty million dollars remaining in the family accounts."
The number hung in the air.
Fifty million.
Max didn't flinch.
In his past life, the thought of that kind of money would've sent him soaring. But now, seated at the helm of the Knight family, inheriting a legacy crafted with precision, it didn't feel like much.
Not for what he intended.
To stand tall in the Marvel Universe—to carve out a legacy among gods, geniuses, and titans—this was only the beginning.
Fifty million wouldn't cut it.
And this was just the surface. So much more was hidden in the pages resting before him, waiting to be uncovered and understood.
Max nodded silently. There was no reason to argue. His father's preservation strategy made sense, especially now that he was beginning to grasp the scale of what he had inherited.
Setting the first document aside, Max picked up another—this one detailing the family's assets, historical gains and losses, and an updated portfolio of current holdings.
He knew these numbers weren't just figures—they were choices. Mistakes. Wins. And lessons.
Looking up, he asked, "Uncle, could you give me a quick rundown of this one? I'll go through it in detail later, but I want a general overview—especially about my father's spending and what we've gained or lost over time."
Victor took another sip of tea, then nodded with a thoughtful hum.
"Of course. Let me summarise it for you."
He placed one hand on the edge of the table, his voice calm but deliberate.
"To begin with, you own this Knight Mansion, located on the Upper West Side of New York City, and a penthouse on the Upper East Side. These are two of your most prominent personal properties."
He paused, letting the names sink in.
"In addition, your family once owned a significant amount of land, most of which your father sold during New York's boom years. Using the profits, he partnered with investors to develop two skyscrapers in prime locations. These ventures secured long-term revenue for the family."
Victor leaned forward slightly, gesturing as he spoke.
"The first is Knight Plaza—a 50-floor commercial tower in the heart of Times Square. It's a high-income asset, with space rented out to major retail brands, digital billboards, and shopping marts. You hold a 10% stake—roughly five floors worth. It operates under shared management with other stakeholders, so rent is distributed proportionally, and major decisions are made collectively."
"The second is Sky Tower, again 50 floor, located in Midtown Manhattan. Unlike Knight Plaza, this venture gives individual investors ownership of specific floors. Your family owns the top 15 floors outright—30% of the building. Ten of those floors are currently leased to corporate tenants. The top five were used for your father's private operations and are now yours to command."
He paused for another sip, then added smoothly,
"These two buildings alone bring in roughly fifteen to twenty million dollars a year—and that number is rising steadily, given their location and growing demand. Both properties are highly sought-after, especially with companies like Stark Industries renting nearby."
Max exhaled quietly, the scope of it all slowly crystallising in his mind.
This wasn't just wealth. This was power.
…
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