When Love is a Question Mark
Chapter 214: Big Announcement

Chapter 214: Big Announcement

The morning sun had barely risen when the news broke across every major media outlet: Samuel Lucas was now the Chairman of Lucas Realty Group, holding a staggering 95% of the company’s shares. The announcement detailed that 65% of the shares had been transferred from his late grandfather’s estate, with an additional 30% coming from his father. The remaining 5% was distributed among the board of directors, completing the company’s ownership structure.

The story dominated headlines. News anchors delivered the update with a mixture of surprise and reverence, emphasizing how this development solidified Samuel’s unprecedented control over Lucas Realty Group. Analysts weighed in on the implications for the company’s future, speculating how Samuel would lead the real estate giant into a new era.

---

Zinnia stirred awake as her phone vibrated incessantly on the nightstand. Groggy, she squinted at the screen, catching a glimpse of notifications from news apps and messages. She frowned, still too sleepy to process the urgency.

Meanwhile, in the adjacent bedroom, Samuel sat up in bed, his phone lighting up with the same flood of messages and calls. He rubbed his eyes, scrolling through the news with an unreadable expression.

"What the...?" he muttered under his breath, reading the headline again.

After a few moments of silence, Samuel threw off the covers and got to his feet. He needed clarity, and fast.

---

Zinnia stepped out of her bedroom, still in her silk pajamas, her hair slightly disheveled. She held her phone tightly, scrolling through the articles as she walked. The hallway was quiet except for the faint hum of distant traffic outside their home.

The sound of a door opening made her look up. Samuel appeared from his room, looking just as disoriented. He was dressed in casual loungewear, his usually neat hair tousled from sleep. His expression was a mix of surprise and confusion.

"Good morning," Zinnia greeted, her voice tentative as their eyes met.

"Morning," Samuel replied, his tone equally cautious. He ran a hand through his hair, glancing at the phone in her hand. "You’ve seen it?"

Zinnia nodded. "I woke up to it. Did you know this was coming?"

Samuel let out a slow breath, leaning against the wall. "Not like this. I knew my grandfather’s shares would eventually transfer to me, but I didn’t expect the announcement to happen so suddenly. And the additional 30% from my father..." He shook his head. "I wasn’t informed he would transfer it this way."

Zinnia’s brow furrowed. "You mean your father didn’t tell you?"

He shrugged, crossing his arms. "That’s typical of him. He probably wanted to catch me off guard."

Zinnia studied him for a moment. "How do you feel about it?"

Samuel paused, his gaze drifting to the floor. "Honestly? I’m still processing it. This much control... it’s a lot of responsibility."

Zinnia took a step closer, her voice softening. "But you’re ready for it, Sam. If anyone can handle this, it’s you."

Samuel glanced at her, a faint smile tugging at the corners of his lips. "Thanks, Zinnia. I’ll need all the support I can get."

She smiled back, the tension between them easing slightly. "Well, you’ve got it. And congratulations, by the way. Even if it’s a bit overwhelming, this is a big deal."

"Thanks," he said, his voice quieter now. "I guess we’ll see where this takes us."

Samuel straightened up from where he leaned against the wall. His expression softened slightly as he glanced at Zinnia.

"We should grab some breakfast first," he said, his tone calm but thoughtful. He gestured toward the kitchen, a subtle invitation in his movement.

Zinnia blinked, still processing everything, but nodded. "Yeah, good idea. I don’t think either of us can face all this on an empty stomach."

He gave her a brief nod before walking down the hallway. Zinnia followed, her bare feet softly padding against the floor.

Samuel stepped into the kitchen, his focus shifting to the task ahead. He moved with a quiet efficiency, opening cupboards and pulling out ingredients.

"Coffee?" he asked, glancing over his shoulder at Zinnia.

She sat down at the small kitchen table, her phone still in hand. "Yes, please. I think I’ll need a strong one today."

Without another word, Samuel filled the coffee machine, his movements precise and practiced. The rich aroma of brewing coffee soon filled the air, making the kitchen feel a little warmer.

As the coffee dripped into the carafe, Samuel reached for eggs, bread, and a few vegetables from the fridge. He worked in silence, chopping and whisking with an ease that hinted at experience.

Zinnia watched him, her phone forgotten for the moment. "You’re not even going to ask what I want?" she teased lightly, breaking the quiet.

Samuel smirked faintly but didn’t look up. "I already know what you like. Just sit back and enjoy your coffee."

A soft laugh escaped her as she accepted the steaming mug he handed her. "Fair enough."

Not long after, Samuel placed two plates on the table. The smell of scrambled eggs, buttered toast, and sautéed vegetables filled the room.

"Simple but good, and I know it’s your favorite," he said, taking a seat across from her.

Zinnia took a bite and nodded. "It’s perfect. Thanks for doing this."

Samuel shrugged, his eyes focused on his plate. "It’s the least I could do. With everything going on, we need to take a moment to breathe."

They ate in comfortable silence for a few minutes before Samuel spoke again. "What’s your plan for today?"

Zinnia paused, setting her fork down. "I was thinking of catching up on work, but now... I’m not sure. This news changes everything."

He nodded, his expression thoughtful. "It does, but we’ll figure it out. Together."

Her gaze softened as she met his eyes. "I believe that."

After finishing his meal, Samuel leaned back in his chair. "I’ll need to talk to my father about the news. He’s the only one who can explain why it happened this way."

Zinnia nodded, sipping her coffee. "Makes sense. And after that?"