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Climbing the Ladder 3 - Climbing Higher

by Michael Loucks

Published: 2023-11-15. 415,000 Words.

Categories: Fiction » Coming of Age

Format: EPUB

Content Rating: Older than 17

Jonathan Kane is a man of his word, and his personal code dictates strict integrity to his family, friends, and everything else that impacts his life. He's not someone who would lead someone else on with false expectations, always trying to do the "right" thing even if it might distress someone in his circle by doing so, and prefers others be straight with him versus holding something important back. He's placed in an awkward position, hard, by his would-be girlfriend Bev when she reveals the real identity of Heather's father. The revelation pivots not just their relationship, but also affects others in his orbit in ways he never would have imagined. He's effectively forced into the uncomfortable position of continuing to protect Bev, while simultaneously causing harm to others, something he clearly struggles with.

While this does effectively end any chance of him marrying Bev in the future, it also means that suddenly, the proverbial field is much more open, and for a time, he does take advantage of this. Beyond personal relationships, he continues to build a solid reputation at Spurgeon Capital, successfully navigating them through some significant investment opportunities and outperforming expectations. As a result, he's able to safely purchase a larger home for himself, his existing housemates, and a few additional friends, in the Rogers Park neighborhood of Chicago. At his suggestion, Bianca is eventually brought on board at Spurgeon as a data analyst managing their burgeoning computerized reporting and analysis systems.

His professional life is rock solid, but his personal life begins transition to a new phase. Tiring of the endless parade of girls with whom he has no real connections with, he now focuses on the girls who might become a more permanent choice. While he and Bianca have agreed to raise a child together sans marriage, a slot is opening for a potential future Mrs. Jonathan Kane to slip herself into. Unfortunately, life, being as random and chaotic as it is, rears its ugly head and inserts some very unexpected complications. Will this chapter of Jonathan's life end with a happily ever after, or will complications abound and leave him back at square one? This, and more, as he continues his climb up the ladder.