Conor settled his office at Vokrizin’s Jinstain headquarters within Dreadnaught Law firm, his mind still juggling the many challenges that had emerged since his return. The city outside was bustling as always, the sounds of the coastal metropolis barely muffled by the thick glass windows.He had been back just over a week, reacclimating himself to the rhythm of Jinstain life and catching up with his team. But today, the focus was on something that had been looming over them all—the results of the internal audit and the third-party investigation into the spice trade controversy.The door opened, and Mr. Nuri entered, followed closely by Jarad, his trusted paralegal. Both men looked serious, their expressions betraying the gravity of what they were about to discuss. Mr. Nuri carried a thick folder under his arm, which he set down on the table as he took his seat across from Conor."Mr. Brantley," Mr. Nuri began, his tone measured.“Leim, when its just us, call me Conor.” He replied, ges

Conor stepped out of the car, his eyes scanning the nearly deserted parking lot of the Cochan Mall. The once-bustling shopping center, now a shadow of its former self, stood as a reminder of the past. His past.He could still remember the days when the mall was alive with activity, shoppers streaming in and out of stores, children laughing as they ran through the halls, avoiding their parents, and the constant hum of life. But now, it was quiet, almost eerily so.Parker, ever vigilant, was by his side, his eyes scanning the area as they walked toward the entrance. “Feels like a ghost town,” Parker commented, his voice low.Conor nodded. “Yeah, it does. But Zelgan Dries is still here, and that’s what matters today.”The familiar sound of the glass doors sliding open greeted them as they entered. The interior of the mall was dimly lit, with only a few shops still open. Most of the storefronts were dark, their once-bright signs now dull and lifeless.The echoes of their footsteps were th

“Parker, drop me off at the park,” Conor said suddenly, making a decision. “I need to clear my head.”Parker nodded without question and turned the car toward the park. A few minutes later, they arrived at the park’s entrance. Conor stepped out of the car, taking a deep breath of the fresh air. He needed this—time to think, to order his thoughts, and to plan his next moves.“I’ll be close by,” Parker said, his tone indicating he understood the need for solitude but was still on duty.Conor nodded in acknowledgment, then began walking down the winding path through the park. The trees provided a natural canopy, their leaves rustling softly in the breeze. The serenity of the surroundings was a stark contrast to the storm brewing in his mind.As he walked, Conor mentally sorted through the problems he needed to address, each one a piece of the complex puzzle he was trying to solve.First, there was the situation with the Cochan Mall. He had no idea if Jessica’s parents would even consider

Kerrigan sat at her desk, the morning stack of reports already preparing to tip over. She was barely a few weeks into Conor’s absence, but it felt like months had passed.The weight of managing the company, while fending off the advances of Kelan and the Prince on top of the underhanded machinations of the board, had long since turned her into a husk of her old self.She sighed deeply as Natalie entered, carrying the usual stack of mail and a tablet displaying the latest headlines. Her assistant moved with the efficiency Kerrigan had come to rely on, placing the pile of envelopes on the desk before showing her the headline."More news about the prince, I’m afraid," Natalie said, her voice laced with a mixture of irritation and concern.Kerrigan glanced at the headline on the screen: "Prince Khalid of Surret Arrives in Velyki: Plans to Strengthen Ties with Countess Lokir over Lunch?."A groan escaped her lips. "We should introduce him to Kelan. The two would get along."Natalie raised

Kerrigan sat at her desk, her pen hovering over the first page of the journal. The words Dear Conor stared back at her, and for a moment, she felt paralyzed. She didn’t know where to start or what she wanted to say. Her emotions were a tangled web, and sorting through them seemed like an impossible task.She took a deep breath, trying to steady her thoughts. The day had been exhausting, and the lunch with Prince Khalid had left her feeling even more conflicted. His charm and poise had been undeniable, but the underlying implications of his attention weighed heavily on her. She knew what he wanted, what the Duke hoped for, and what everyone around her seemed to expect. But what did she want?Her thoughts drifted back to Conor, to the way he had always been there for her, supporting her through everything. And yet, now, he was gone—back to Jinstain, back to his life. She had told herself it was for the best, that they needed the distance, but the empty space he left behind felt like a v