Seated at the head of the conference table, her expression as composed as ever, Elena Marchand could feel an underlying tension in the room. Conor and Natalie sat across from her, each of them aware that the situation was reaching a critical point."The media is circling like sharks," Elena said, her tone measured. "They’re looking for a story, and they won’t stop until they find something they can sink their teeth into. We need a new face to give them—someone who can manage the narrative without drawing too much attention to Dragon Corporation."Natalie leaned back in her chair, considering her words. "A lawyer speaking to the press only raises suspicions. It makes it look like we’re hiding something, like there’s legal trouble brewing. We need someone who can handle the media without it feeling like damage control."Elena nodded. "Exactly. We need a spokesperson, someone not directly tied to the corporation, but with enough credibility to handle the pressure. Do either of you have a

Kerrigan sat with her head down on her desk, exhausted. The day had been relentless—meeting after meeting, each one more draining than the last. The weight of her responsibilities pressed heavily on her shoulders, and she longed for the day to end. She felt like she had been dodging the media all week, forcing herself to stay focused on running Dragon Corporation amidst the chaos. But as the evening began to close, Kerrigan allowed herself a moment to breathe, a brief respite before the next storm inevitably hit.Just as she began to relax, the crackle of Evelynn’s radio disrupted the silence. Kerrigan looked up, her senses immediately on high alert.Both of her guard’s faces were series, meaning the message had to be urgent.Evelynn pressed the radio’s ear piece with her finger, listening intently. Kerrigan watched her closely, noting the way Evelynn’s expression shifted from curiosity to surprise.“The Duke has sent a helicopter to pick you up,” Evelynn relayed, her tone calm but w

The Duke rose from his seat, indicating for them to follow him. He led them to a smaller, more intimate sitting room just off the main dining hall. The room was richly furnished, with deep, comfortable chairs and a large fireplace that crackled softly with a fresh fire.Once they were seated, the Duke wasted no time. “Kerrigan, you’ve done well with Dragon Corporation, despite the challenges you’ve faced. But your role as President is not the only duty you carry. As Countess Lokir, you have a responsibility to this province and to our family. That includes making decisions that go beyond the business world.”Kerrigan nodded, her expression composed. “I understand, Grandfather. I’ve been doing everything I can to uphold our family’s legacy.”"Are you?" He questioned. He then unfolded a news paper and held out the front page. "Three of my men are dead..."Kerrigan paled, the tone of this meeting already going south. The duke sighed heavily. "They were good men Kerrigan, but they died f

Kerrigan slipped quietly into the training yard, staying in the shadows along the edge where hedges and vines could hide her as she observed the scene unfolding before her. Her eyes were immediately drawn to Conor, who was in the midst of a fierce match with five of the Duke's guardsmen.The tension that had been simmering between them since their arrival at her grandfather’s estate weighed heavily on her, and she found herself watching him with a mix of admiration and regret.Conor moved with a fluid grace that belied his strength, his every motion calculated and precise. As he fought, Kerrigan couldn’t help but be struck by how much he had grown since they first met.There was a confidence in him now, a quiet assurance that had come from months of training and honing his skills. But even as she admired his prowess, her mind drifted back to the conversations they had shared over the past twenty-four hours—conversations that had left Conor hurt and uncertain, and had left Kerrigan que

Conor stepped out of the shower, letting the hot water clear away the last remnants of his earlier sparring session. The physical exertion had done its job, tiring his body enough to keep the restless energy at bay, but his mind was still spinning. The events of the day—Kerrigan's words, the Duke's subtle but undeniable judgment, and his own growing doubts—had left him feeling unsettled.He grabbed a towel and dried off, his thoughts drifting back to the conversation he’d had with Kerrigan on the helicopter. He had replayed it in his mind countless times, searching for clues or reassurances that her words hadn’t meant what they seemed.But the more he thought about it, the more he realized that maybe she had been right to question their relationship. After all, what did he have to offer a noble? He was just a commoner from Bayan Province, a man who had clawed his way up in the world of business but still didn’t belong in the noble circles Kerrigan moved in.As CEO of Vokrizin, he cou