Ultimate Cash System-Chapter 173: Manson.

Henry’s car rolled up just as the final bell rang across the Princeton campus. The sun was already dipping into the horizon, painting the Gothic buildings in soft amber hues. Students streamed out of lecture halls, buzzing with chatter and plans for the weekend. But Lukas and Lana, as usual, stood out.

Brilliant and composed, the two of them walked side by side, papers neatly tucked under their arms. Lana wore a navy coat over her cream blouse, while Lukas had on a casual sweater and dark slacks, as effortless as ever. They had just wrapped up their advanced economics seminar, where both of them had dominated the discussion. Professors admired their insight, and peers looked to them with a mix of envy and respect.

A silver Mercedes SUV pulled up near the main gate, and the windows rolled down to reveal Henry in his signature polo shirt, sunglasses pushed up over his cap. He gave them a wide grin.

"Luke! Lana! Get in, we’ve got a fortress to storm," he said with a laugh.

Lukas smirked, helping Lana into the back seat before sliding in himself. "You better not be exaggerating, Coach."

"You know me, when do I ever exaggerate?" Henry replied, pulling away from campus. "But really, this one’s something else. You remember that this costs $20 million"

Lana grinned. "So it’s happening today? I can’t believe it."

"We planned it, remember?" Lukas said, giving her a knowing look. "Coach made the arrangements."

"Still," Lana said, practically bouncing in her seat, "seeing it in person is a whole other thing."

Henry laughed. "It better live up to the hype. And Luke, let’s not pretend like you’re not half the reason this place is on the market again. You’re a buyer with bite."

Lukas nodded with an easy grin. "It’s not just about owning a mansion. I want something that reflects who I am now. Something secure. Long-term."

It took about thirty minutes to reach the gated estate. The roads wound through forested hills until they stopped in front of black iron gates tall enough to intimidate royalty. A guard stepped out from a security booth and waved them through after checking credentials.

As the SUV rolled forward, the mansion revealed itself.

Lana let out a breathless gasp.

"Oh my God..."

The mansion looked like something out of a European fairy tale. Stone towers flanked the main structure, which stretched across nearly 25,000 square feet of land. Slate roofs gleamed, trimmed hedges ran the length of the marble stairs, and carved lions guarded the massive double doors. Ivy climbed along the old stonework, while fountains danced in front of manicured gardens.

"This isn’t a house," Lana whispered, eyes wide. "This is a damn museum."

Henry chuckled. "Wait till you see the inside."

The doors opened to reveal a grand foyer with cathedral ceilings, gold-trimmed banisters, and a crystal chandelier that looked like it belonged in Versailles. A sweeping staircase divided the space, while velvet furniture and marble floors gave it a sense of both warmth and magnificence.

"Private cinema, ten bedrooms, indoor pool, spa, a wine cellar older than this country, and that’s just the west wing," Henry said proudly. "There’s a glass-ceiling solarium, four libraries, a ballroom, and a panic room that could survive a small war."

Lana wandered slowly into the center hall, her heels echoing across the marble. She was speechless.

Lukas, hands in his pockets, walked past her and simply said, "Not bad."

Henry looked back and laughed. "That’s not bad for you? Luke, I swear, if I didn’t know better, I’d think you grew up in a palace."

Lana turned to him, eyes still wide. "You’re really buying this?"

Lukas looked around, then gave a quiet nod. "I need something real. Something lasting."

"And it suits you," Henry added. "It’s more than a home. It’s a statement."

Lana whispered to herself, still spinning slowly in place. "I can’t believe I’m standing here."

Lukas glanced her way. "Well, get used to it. This won’t be the last palace we walk through."

Henry chuckled as they continued the tour. Lana’s awe deepened with every room—each one meticulously designed, tastefully opulent, and filled with history and modern luxury intertwined.

The master bedroom had a balcony with views that stretched across the hills, while the marble en suite bathroom had its own sauna and massage area. The walk-in closet was the size of a regular studio apartment. Every corner felt custom-made for someone who had arrived—and who wasn’t leaving anytime soon.

As they stood by the window of the eastern tower, watching the last of the golden daylight wash over the gardens, Henry rested a hand on Lukas’s shoulder.

"You’re not just buying square footage, Luke. You’re laying the foundation for something bigger."

Lukas nodded slowly. "And I plan to build it brick by brick."

Beside him, Lana smiled, her earlier awe transforming into quiet pride.

Whatever the future held, it was beginning here, behind stone walls and under golden chandeliers.

Just then, a low purring engine sounded outside. Another luxury car, this one sleeker and black, pulled into the circular driveway. Out stepped a tall man in his early forties, impeccably dressed in a tailored navy suit and a silver tie. He wore a subtle Rolex and walked with the confident ease of a man used to being obeyed.

Henry stepped forward and extended his hand. "Mr. Ghassan, good to see you again. This is Lukas and Lana."

Mr. Ghassan offered only the faintest nod to Henry and barely glanced at Lana before turning fully toward Lukas with a wide smile. "Ah, so you must be Lukas. The prodigy. I’ve heard quite a bit about you."

Lukas shook his hand, firm and steady. "Pleasure to meet you. I hear you spend most of your time in Dubai."

"Indeed," Mr. Ghassan said, his accent refined, "that city moves fast, and so do I. This mansion... well, it was a Chapter. But I have greater plans. I’m starting a new venture over there—tech meets luxury. Big things."

He gestured around at the opulence with a dismissive wave. "As grand as this is, it doesn’t suit the speed of my next life." 𝗳𝚛𝗲𝕖𝕨𝕖𝗯𝚗𝚘𝕧𝕖𝗹.𝗰𝗼𝕞

While Mr. Ghassan continued to speak, his eyes rarely left Lukas. Every question was directed at him. Every comment is crafted to impress. Lana, standing just beside them, was practically invisible. Henry watched with a polite smile, though his eyes narrowed slightly at the clear dismissal.

Still, Lukas kept the conversation balanced, nodding politely and asking insightful questions, yet occasionally glancing back at Lana as if to silently reassure her she hadn’t been forgotten.

After a brief but intense exchange about property transfer and renovation flexibility, Mr. Ghassan clapped Lukas on the back. "You have vision. That much is obvious. I wouldn’t want this place to go to anyone else."

As Mr. Ghassan stepped away to take a call, Henry leaned in and whispered, "Guess you just got knighted by royalty."

Lana gave a small laugh, but her smile didn’t quite reach her eyes.

Lukas turned to her, his voice low. "Ignore him. Some people see the world in dollar signs. I see mine in people."

Mr. Ghassan returned after a short phone call, his designer loafers clicking softly against the marble as he approached the trio. His sleek black shirt and gray trousers looked crisp under the golden afternoon light that filtered in through the grand arched windows of the mansion.

"Mr. Lukas," he said with a smile, entirely bypassing Lana and Henry again, "Have a proper look. Walk around; take your time. But I hope... you’re the one who’ll breathe life into this place again."

Lukas, hands in his pockets, gave him a quiet nod. "I don’t need more time," he said, his voice calm but decisive. "I’ll take it. Twenty million."

Mr. Ghassan’s smile broadened as if Lukas had just spoken music to his ears. "Wonderful. Wonderful," he said, clapping his hands once. "You have vision, Lukas. This place will suit you."

Lana looked at Lukas, mouth half open, but not saying a word. She was still taking in the surreal moment. Her friend, the Lukas she sat with in classrooms, just dropped twenty million like he was ordering lunch.

Henry whistled quietly and patted Lukas’s back. "Luke, I knew you were going to do big things, but man..." He shook his head, impressed and amused at the same time. "This place is a fortress. It even got two koi ponds. Are you serious about it?"

"Dead serious, Coach," Lukas replied with a small grin. He looked around again. The high cathedral ceilings, the hand-carved balustrades, the spiral staircases, the panoramic glass walls overlooking acres of trimmed landscape—every part of it felt like a dream materialized.

Mr. Ghassan led them briefly to the back. The garden opened up like something out of a European estate catalog, complete with fountains, a stone path winding through cherry blossom trees, and even a small indoor spa in the back section.

"I designed the garden myself," Ghassan said casually. "Inspired by Kyoto and Milan. Took five years."

"It’s beautiful," Lana finally spoke. She couldn’t hide her awe anymore. She still felt slightly brushed aside by Mr. Ghassan’s demeanor, but she wasn’t going to ruin the mood. Her eyes gleamed. "I didn’t know you had this kind of taste, Lukas."

Lukas shrugged lightly. "Didn’t know it either. Until now."

They ended the tour near the main living room—a two-floor-high chamber with massive windows and chandeliers. Sunlight fell on the polished floors, casting long reflections of the ornate ceiling.

Mr. Ghassan brought out a leather folder. "The legal documents and property transfer formalities will be sent over to your team. You’ll find my lawyers efficient."

Lukas nodded again. "They’ll be in touch soon. I’ll move in before the semester ends."

As they stood outside in the driveway, the Mercedes parked neatly behind them, Mr. Ghassan shook Lukas’s hand firmly. "This house is yours now. Treat her well."

Lukas looked up at the mansion again. The wind rustled the tall trees around them, the sun just beginning to dip. He took a slow breath.

"I will," he said.

And with that, the deal was done.