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In a more prominent and fast-moving part of the city, where sleek cars glided through private gates and homes stood like miniature empires, lived a boy who, despite the wealth and status that surrounded him, remained remarkably grounded. Neil Wilson, fourteen, had always stood out—not just because of his surname or the school he attended, but because of the way he carried himself. He was confident but never arrogant, bright but always curious, and open-hearted in a way that made him instantly approachable. While his world was filled with privilege and polish, Neil never let that blur his values.

Neil came from a family of four, the well-known Wilson family, whose name carried weight in business circles and social spheres alike. His father, Noel Wilson, was a towering figure in the corporate world—the current Chairman and CEO of N Group, one of the most influential business empires in the region. Known for his calm intensity and razor-sharp business instincts, Noel had earned his position through discipline and a relentless work ethic. Despite the demanding nature of his role, he made sure his family never felt like they came second. At home, he was a man who set down his briefcase, rolled up his sleeves, and sat at the dinner table with full presence. To Neil, he wasn’t a CEO—he was simply “Dad,” the man who taught him chess, talked to him about ethics, and reminded him that success meant nothing without loyalty.

Neil’s mother, Amelia Wilson, was no less impressive. As the Director of N Group, she was not only her husband’s partner in business but his equal in ambition, intellect, and strength. With her poised demeanour and natural leadership, Amelia was admired by many, yet only a few knew how deeply compassionate she was beneath the surface. She managed board meetings by day and her home with the same grace by evening. She never let her boys feel neglected and held firm to her belief in nurturing strength and empathy together. Amelia and Noel shared many values, but perhaps the strongest of them was their stance on betrayal. While they were generous and forgiving people, they made it clear: they could tolerate mistakes—but never backstabbers or traitors.

Neil had a younger brother, Nolan Wilson, who was thirteen—just a year behind him—but often mistaken for being older because of his composed and observant nature. Where Neil was driven by energy and curiosity, Nolan was more reflective, often pausing before he spoke, choosing words like someone choosing colours for a painting. Interestingly, Nolan shared a quiet but meaningful friendship with Anya Miller, Neil’s classmate. The two had been friends since kindergarten, bonding over books, shared silences, and a mutual understanding that didn’t require much noise. Neil, though not close to Anya himself, respected her deeply—if only because Nolan, who was selective with people, had chosen her.

Friendship, to Neil, was sacred. He didn’t collect friends for popularity; he valued depth, loyalty, and shared memories. He had two best friends—Dheeru Verma and Abhi Raj—and together, the trio was well known at school not just for how long they’d been friends, but how inseparable they were. They had met in kindergarten, three curious boys building block towers and trading snacks, and over the years, their bond only grew stronger. They laughed, fought, helped each other through heartbreaks and school stress, and shared everything like brothers born into different homes.

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