Legacy Unraveled (Kendall Roy X Reader)

Chapter Four

Emma began the mad dash to pack and make the next chartered GoJo jet to land back in New York in time. Lukas, leaning against a modern, sleek kitchen counter with a fresh coffee in hand, smirked at Emma. "You know what would be fun? A retreat. Get the entire WayStar RoyCo team here. A sort of... assessment of assets. See who's worth keeping around once I've got the reins."

Emma, still adjusting to the morning and the weight of last night's discussions, frowned. "A retreat? Now? With everything in flux? It's like poking a beehive when you're covered in honey."

He took a sip of his coffee, his eyes never leaving her. "Exactly. It's disruption, Emma. I want to see them outside their comfort zone, off their turf. It's the best way to gauge true value. Besides," he paused, smirking, "it'll be amusing to see the Roy kids squirm."

Emma shook her head, her earlier annoyance returning. "Lukas, you're talking about a major corporate team, not lab rats in one of your tech experiments. This isn't some beta test."

Lukas chuckled. "In a way, everything is, isn't it? Trial and error. That's how evolution works. You try, you fail, you adapt."

She stared at him. "You can't just play around with people's lives and careers because you find it 'amusing' or because you're curious. That's... it's fucked up."

He leaned in closer, his face just inches from hers. "But isn't that exactly what WayStar RoyCo has been doing for years? Manipulating narratives, shaping public opinion, playing kingmaker in the shadows? I'm just more upfront about it."

She stepped back, crossing her arms. "There's a line, Lukas. Even in our world. And inviting the entire team for your own personal amusement? It crosses it."

He tilted his head, genuinely curious. "Does it? Or am I just breaking the old rules and making new ones? Isn't that what pioneers do?"

Emma exhaled deeply, trying to collect herself. "There's being a pioneer, and then there's being reckless. And right now? You're teetering on the edge of the latter."

Lukas paused, letting the weight of their exchange linger in the room. He set his coffee down, studying Emma with an intensity that she hadn't seen from him before. "You know, most people don't stand up to me like that. They nod, laugh at my jokes, and skirt around the edges. But you... You challenge me."

Emma hesitated, a bit taken aback. "It's not about challenging you, Lukas. It's about doing what's right. And not playing games with people's lives."

He nodded slowly. "You remind me of someone. Someone I used to know before all of this," he gestured around the opulent room, "took over. Someone who kept me grounded."

Emma softened, curiosity piqued. "Who?"

"A friend. Long gone now. I lost them somewhere along this mad dash to the top. The point is," he continued, "you might be the first genuine interaction I've had in years. It's... refreshing."

Emma blinked, surprised. "Well, if you wanted genuine, maybe don't lead with 'let's toy with a bunch of corporate bigwigs for fun.' It doesn't set the right tone."

Lukas chuckled, a genuine, hearty sound. "Point taken." He approached her, this time without the air of a challenge. "Emma, I want your help. Not just with the GoJo deal, but moving forward. I respect your perspective. And I think... I think I need it."

She looked at him, assessing. This shift in Lukas, this vulnerability, it was unexpected. But it felt real. "Alright," she began cautiously, "but on one condition."

He raised an eyebrow, "Name it."

"No more games," she said firmly. "If you want my help, my advice, it's going to be straightforward, no bullshit. And you have to listen, even if you don't like what you hear."