Lagos, Nigeria — 6:00 a.m.
Julian King awoke with a start, his heart pounding, his mind still hazy from the remnants of a dream he couldn't quite remember. The sun had barely risen, casting a soft golden light through the small apartment window. It was a typical Lagos morning, the sounds of the city waking up, but for Julian, it felt like something more — as if today was the day everything would change.
He glanced at his phone, checking the time. His freelance job with a small startup was due to be submitted by noon, but he had barely made progress. The coding project he was working on for the past week felt like it was slipping further out of reach. His thoughts wandered back to his family — to the King legacy he had long avoided.
His mother's disappearance, his grandfather's mysterious death, the untouched inheritance that seemed more like a curse than a blessing — it was all buried somewhere in the back of his mind. But now, it felt like that shadow was closing in on him, pulling him back to a past he had tried to forget.
8:00 a.m. — The Apartment
Julian tried to shake off the uneasy feeling as he sat down to work on his laptop. The sounds of the city outside — the honking of cars, the hum of motors — barely registered as he focused on the task at hand. His fingers moved mechanically over the keyboard, but his mind wandered.
Family. Power. Legacy.
Julian had always pushed these thoughts aside. His life was simple, or at least, it had been. A part of him longed for more — more success, more purpose, but he wasn't sure how to find it. He was stuck in the middle of a life that felt both too small and too big at the same time.
The sudden buzz of his phone broke his thoughts.
An unknown number.
He hesitated but answered. "Hello?"
"Julian King?" A deep voice spoke with an authority that immediately commanded his attention.
"Yeah, who is this?"
"My name is David Ajayi, Chief Strategist at King Global Enterprises. We've been following your work and believe you have something special to offer. I would like to extend an invitation for you to interview for a position with us. It could be the start of something big."
Julian felt his pulse quicken. King Global? He hadn't heard from anyone at the company since his grandfather's funeral. The company had been managed by other relatives, with Julian's name barely mentioned. Why would they want him?
"Sure," he said, trying to keep his voice steady. "I'm interested. When can I come in?"
"Tomorrow, at 10 a.m.," Ajayi replied. "I'll send you the details. Be prepared. This is more than just a job. It's about something much larger. I'll see you then."
The call ended. Julian sat there, staring at the phone. His mind raced. What had just happened? Why him? Was this just an offer, or was something more at play?
The Next Day — 9:30 a.m.
Julian walked through the front doors of King Global Enterprises, his heart pounding in his chest. The building loomed over him, an embodiment of the wealth and power his grandfather's empire had accumulated. The glass walls reflected the city's skyline, and the clean, sterile lobby only made him feel more out of place.
He wasn't the polished businessman these people were. He wasn't even sure he belonged here.
A well-dressed receptionist greeted him with a warm smile. "Mr. King, welcome. Mr. Ajayi is expecting you. Please, follow me."
Julian followed her through a maze of glass-walled offices, each one more modern and pristine than the last. His nerves only grew as they made their way to a large corner office on the 42nd floor. The view from the window was breathtaking — Lagos sprawled beneath them, a city that was always alive.
Ajayi stood up from behind a sleek desk as Julian entered. He was tall, with sharp features and an aura of authority that immediately put Julian on edge.
"Mr. King," Ajayi said with a firm handshake. "I'm glad you could make it. Please, have a seat."
Julian sat down, trying to mask his unease. "Thank you for the opportunity."
Ajayi's eyes seemed to pierce through him, assessing him as if he were already weighing his worth. "You've been recommended for a role here at King Global. We believe your unique skill set can help us grow, but it's not just your talents that we're interested in. It's your bloodline."
Julian blinked, taken aback. "What do you mean?"
Ajayi didn't flinch. "Your grandfather, Gregory King, left behind more than just wealth. He left behind a series of challenges, tests that were designed to determine who would lead the King legacy. We believe you are the one who is meant to step up."
Julian's stomach tightened. He had heard whispers of the King legacy being tied to some sort of trial, but he had never thought much about it. It was just family folklore — stories about hidden fortunes and a secret plan that would reveal itself someday.
Ajayi continued, "These challenges are not just about your intellect or ability to make money. They are about character. You must prove that you are worthy of the King name."
Julian's mind raced. He had spent years running from his legacy, refusing to acknowledge what his grandfather had left behind. But now, it seemed that legacy was catching up with him.
10:30 a.m. — The Challenge
Ajayi handed him a tablet. "This is the first test. You'll have 24 hours to solve it. It's a financial puzzle, and it will require you to think on your feet. The stakes are high, and the outcome will determine your future here."
Julian's eyes widened as the tablet flickered to life. The screen was filled with complex numbers, diagrams, and encrypted data that seemed to connect several companies and accounts. He didn't recognize many of the names, but the patterns felt familiar — like something his grandfather had taught him long ago, something Julian had tried to ignore.
Ajayi's voice cut through his thoughts. "This is not just about solving the puzzle, Julian. This is a test of decision-making, of how you handle pressure. The King legacy is not just about wealth. It's about power. And to lead it, you'll need to prove you have the courage to make difficult choices."
Julian's pulse quickened. He was on the edge of something much bigger than he had ever imagined. This wasn't just an offer to join a corporation; this was an invitation to inherit the King legacy, to step into a world of power, influence, and dark secrets.
With the clock ticking down, Julian knew one thing for certain: his life was about to change forever.