August 29.
When the world often becomes entangled in a swirl of memories and begins to fade, reality finds its voice—that is when it must act. It was 1997, the August season, a fine weekend for everyone. Now he had to face Matrix, which was slowly dissolving into a void.
–Thanks for coming here, – said William Dommer, known under a hidden name: Rockefeller. A forgotten branch, a reason for the end and the beginning of the pact—the end, or the reality that seemed to seek something it never truly needed. It was difficult and complex, full of foreboding.
–Well, you've been one of those people who's appeared after a long time. I couldn't see much beyond the photographs you sent me, and of course, the information you considered classified, – Billy replied.
–For a while now, many people have been investigating you. You've been quite fortunate—a mix of many factors kept others from acting when your power and recognition became too great, – William Dommer explained. Behind him, his butler quietly monitored the conversation. Though only a servant by appearance, he held more power than anyone who might approach. He had a degree in economics and further studies in management.
–That doesn't matter. It just feels like there are things I live unaware of. I almost feel a bit paranoid. What's the truth you all carry? A shadow unknown to me, – said Billy, looking ahead. William Dommer's offer of friendship was a relief, though he remained fully aware of the distrust, and the real nature of things—reality was never kind to Billy. The truth was, William had merely exaggerated everything, building a fence around Billy.
–Well, let me introduce myself. I'm William Dommer Rockefeller, the patriarch of the family and a board member of the Masons. We're a group devoted to advancing our interests as a community focused on prosperity. We support legislation, adjust banking rates, mingle in government circles, promote capable individuals, and do what we must, – William Rockefeller declared with firmness.
This time, he was certain of the group's interest—a group joined by many for over a century. Each member belonged to the true world elite, cloaked in billions, controlling banking, real estate, the stock market, investment funds, agriculture, and any traditional market touched by everyday people.
–Why me? – asked Billy.
William Dommer sighed, slightly wearied by the question.
–Truth is, it's the opposite. A few months ago, I noticed someone had been tracking you. The speed at which you accumulated wealth and influence is astonishing for anyone. And well, I saw the cards and decided to help. I want us to make a deal. I'll guide you, teach you how to navigate these waters, while you become my right hand and integrate me into your management system. A talent like yours shouldn't go to waste, – William explained.
–So, you're proposing a relationship of reciprocity, – Billy asked. – I won't consent to anything that violates my morals. At the very least, I have to respect those boundaries. –
–Pff, you're still quite the child when it comes to politics, – said William Dommer, taking a sip of water. – Look, we'll have a business talk, we'll work as a team, outside of this private exchange. I'll explain the system once we've got the time. It's hard for anyone to grasp it all. You just focus on shining, and I'll handle the rest. –
Billy frowned. What was he really gaining? He couldn't say.
–What I want, then, is a stake in your ventures—the profitable ones—and access to that high-quality information you seem to possess, which precedes some of our forecasts. Trust, then, is something we can forge together. –
His butler handed over an agreement, granting Billy the option of allowing at least a 20% average investment into his wealth and spirit across some of his companies—one based on risk, value, and collaborative work. Meanwhile, William Dommer would set in motion the political, social, and structural machinery backed by the Rockefeller family.
–May my lawyer review it? – asked Billy.
–Of course. Your father is a good lawyer, boy, – William Dommer said as he gripped the wide-handled cane in his left hand. Billy, looking at it, realized how this alliance could take shape—but he was being misled. The strings behind it ran deeper and darker. The ones you couldn't see always caused the worst problems.
...
He emailed the documents to Anne, sending another copy to his father with a subject line resembling a patron's endorsement. It came from what seemed like a solid financial circle—or so he believed. But in truth, while the family was very wealthy on paper, it had little actual liquidity. Not nearly as much as it seemed. Their operations were deeply conservative.
Nothing about them was reckless—they were thoroughly conservative.
With every step of his work feeling like walking on ice, Billy reviewed the list of benefits: backing, security... but how much of it was real, and how much illusion? Testing the false ground was bitter. But he breathed in, steeled his nerves, and now spent $300,000 a year on property surveillance, security systems, alarms, maintenance, and background checks on his employees.
–Just keep heading toward the goal, – Billy whispered to himself. He was starting to resemble a hardened capitalist, but his dreams were still sky-high and, perhaps, too naïve to fully understand the gravity of it all.
–Anne, I sent you some documents. –
–Then it's urgent, – Anne replied.
–It is, actually, – Billy said, the heavy air weighing on him with a roaring truth.
Anne hesitated. She...
–Then it's true. There's no way around it, – Anne answered. – I'll let you know by tomorrow morning. –
Although it wasn't usually Anne's routine, she was more than certain Father Richard would read it, even at night—or in the early hours, if he had to.