2024-09-08 03:03:20
Drew ArcheronI really enjoyed writing about VALTAS.
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Rejected Billionaire book 2: Abraxas's Revenge Chapter 157: The King’s Test
The grand hall of the royal palace was a masterpiece of gilded excess, designed to remind everyone who entered that they stood in the presence of power. Marble pillars reached skyward, inlaid with veins of gold and silver that caught the light of the chandeliers above.The air was heavy with the scent of perfumed oils and roasting meats, mingling with the low hum of conversation. Nobles in elaborate silks and jewels filled the room, their laughter and whispered gossip a backdrop to the King’s carefully orchestrated spectacle.Kerrigan stood at the edge of the gathering, her posture poised but her mind alert. She had been invited here by King Ryu Pinion himself, a gesture that many saw as a high honor.But Kerrigan knew better—this wasn’t an honor, it was a test. The King wanted to see her up close, to measure how far her influence had spread, and to push her into making a public choice she wasn’t ready to make.Across the room, Conor lingered near one of the far walls, his presence d
Rejected Billionaire book 2: Abraxas's Revenge Chapter 158: The King’s Isolation
The grand palace, usually alive with the constant hum of activity, felt strangely subdued in the dim light of dawn. King Ryu Pinion paced the length of his private council chamber, the opulent surroundings failing to soothe the turmoil brewing within him.Tapestries depicting long-dead kings and their triumphs hung from the walls, but today they seemed more like ghostly reminders of past glories—glories that felt increasingly out of his grasp.Kerrigan Lokir. Her name was on everyone’s lips. Ever since the banquet, whispers of her rise had grown louder. In the eyes of the people, she was no longer just a force of change; she was becoming a symbol of what the kingdom could be.To some, she represented a new era, a future where the crown and the people stood united. But to King Ryu, she was a threat—a dangerous, uncontrollable force that he had failed to tame.He stopped by the window, looking out over the sprawling capital. The city was waking up, bathed in the pale light of morning, bu
Rejected Billionaire book 2: Abraxas's Revenge Chapter 159: The Gambit
The moon hung low over the capital, casting long shadows across the cobblestone streets. The palace, illuminated by the glow of countless lanterns, seemed almost serene from the outside—a far cry from the turmoil brewing within. Kerrigan’s private chambers were quiet, save for the distant hum of activity from the banquet that had finally ended. She had managed to keep her composure through the long evening, but now, as she paced the length of the room, her thoughts were in chaos.She had been holding her emotions in check since the King’s proposal, but the weight of his words was crushing her. Marry him? Become his queen? The thought had chilled her to the bone. The King’s offer was not just a marriage proposal; it was a bid to control her, to bind her influence to his throne, and to use her as a tool to solidify his power. But more than that, it was a direct threat—to her independence, her ambitions, and to the love she shared with Conor.Kerrigan’s heart clenched as she glanced towa
Rejected Billionaire book 2: Abraxas's Revenge Chapter 160: Gambit p2
Kerrigan looked up at him, sensing the shift in his tone. “What is it?”Conor hesitated, choosing his words carefully. “Our bond—it’s more than just a connection between Celia and Abraxas. It’s binding us, deeper than I think either of us realized. Celia’s been warning me… if we don’t take action soon, someone else will. The King isn’t the only one who sees your power, who wants to use it. Khalid, the court, they’ll all try to claim you if I don’t—”Kerrigan interrupted, her voice gentle but firm. “Conor, no one is claiming me. Not the King, not Khalid. And not even you. This is my choice.”Conor nodded, but the fear was still there, gnawing at him. “I know, but… the Valtas is something we can’t ignore. If we don’t decide what we are, others will make that decision for us. And they won’t be kind.”Kerrigan’s breath hitched, the truth of his words sinking in. They were on a precipice, and every day they waited was another day the world tried to pull them apart. She loved Conor fiercely,
Rejected Billionaire book 2: Abraxas's Revenge Chapter 161: The Rejection
The morning sun had barely risen over the capital when the whispers began anew. The king had made his move, and every hour and day Kerrigan didn’t respond sparked new rumors.Kerrigan stood at the window of her chambers, her gaze fixed on the city below, bathed in the early light. Today was the day she would publicly reject the King’s proposal—a choice that carried more weight than any she had made before.The night before had been filled with deep, earnest conversations with Conor, where they laid their fears and hopes bare. In the quiet moments between them, Conor had proposed, and she had said yes.It was a promise made in the privacy of their hearts, still hidden from the world, but it strengthened her resolve for what she had to do next.The King’s offer had been nothing more than a gilded trap, one that threatened to strip away her independence and bind her to a man she could never love.But rejecting him publicly was a dangerous game. She knew it would unleash his wrath and ign
Rejected Billionaire book 2: Abraxas's Revenge Chapter 162: The King’s Wrath
Conor stood by the window, his gaze cast over the city below, but his thoughts were miles away. Kerrigan was in the next room, discussing the latest developments in the trial with her inner circle. The tension in the air was palpable, and even though Kerrigan had done her best to keep him close, he felt the distance between them growing—not from each other, but from the storm they could both sense approaching.Kerrigan had rejected the King’s proposal of marriage in front of the entire court. It had been bold, even dangerous. But she had done it with grace and poise, refusing to be bound to a man who saw her as little more than a political pawn. Conor had admired her for it, had felt his own heart swell with pride and love as she stood her ground. But it came at a cost. The King’s support, thin as it had been, was now crumbling, and Conor knew that King Ryu Pinion wasn’t a man who accepted defiance lightly.The door behind him creaked open, and Faolan, Kerrigan’s wolf, padded silently
Rejected Billionaire book 2: Abraxas's Revenge Chapter 163: Shifting Alliances
Conor sat in the crowded courtroom, the tension so thick it felt like the air had turned solid. He scanned the room, eyes moving from the panel of stern-faced judges to the crowd packed into the wooden benches.The trial had reached a pivotal moment, and the air was buzzing with anticipation. Kelan Benedict sat at the defense table, his expression more smug than it had any right to be, given the new evidence that had just been introduced. But that smugness was starting to crack, and Conor could see it.Across the room, Kerrigan sat next to Reilynn and Sorcha, her presence calm but commanding. She had been the spearhead of the investigation, relentless in her pursuit of justice for the victims Kelan had left in his wake. This trial had become more than just a fight against the Benedict family—it had become a test of everything Kerrigan stood for. And so far, the tides were shifting in her favor.The room hushed as the next witness was called. A woman, pale and visibly shaken, stepped f
Rejected Billionaire book 2: Abraxas's Revenge Chapter 164: A Growing Burden
Conor watched Kerrigan closely as they made their way back to their quarters, her steps slower than usual, her shoulders tight with tension.The day’s testimonies had been brutal—Kelan's victims had come forward, one after the other, recounting their pain, their loss, the horror of what Kelan had done to their loved ones.Each word, each tear-streaked face had cut deeper into Kerrigan, and Conor could feel the weight of it pressing down on her.They walked in silence for a while, the echo of their footsteps filling the empty corridor. Kerrigan hadn’t spoken much since the trial had ended for the day, her mind distant, her emotions tightly coiled beneath the surface.Conor could feel her exhaustion, her growing struggle to contain the warlike energy of Abraxas that stirred within her, reacting to the heightened emotions of the trial.As they entered their quarters, Faolan padded in after them, ever watchful. Kerrigan sank into a chair by the hearth, her gaze fixed on the dancing flames
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Chapter 205:
The warm air of late spring greeted Conor and Kerrigan as their convoy rolled through the winding roads of Pinon Province, its rugged landscape starkly different from the lush forests of Lokir. The mountains stood tall and jagged, casting long shadows across the rocky terrain, as if guarding the secrets buried deep within the earth. It was here, beneath these formidable peaks, that the natural gas reserves lay, a potential treasure that could reshape Golan’s energy landscape—but only if Conor and Kerrigan could break through the iron resistance of the Pinon nobility.As the convoy slowed upon reaching the outskirts of Pinon’s provincial capital, Conor glanced at Kerrigan, who sat beside him, her face a mask of quiet determination. Faolan, her ever-loyal wolfhound, sat at her feet, head resting on her paws but eyes alert. Tom Ridley had already deployed the Dragoons ahead of them, ensuring the streets and the meeting venue were secure. Still, there was a tens
Chapter 204: Economic Crisis and Political Maneuvering
The sun hung low over the Lokir estate, casting a soft glow over the rolling hills and distant forests. Conor sat at the long oak table in the estate’s grand conference room, staring down at the map of Pinon Province spread out before him. The lines on the map marked the gas fields they were hoping to tap, though, at this point, hope felt like too generous a word. Kerrigan stood beside him, her fingers trailing over the routes of potential pipelines, her brow furrowed in concentration.“They’re stalling,” she muttered, her voice tight with frustration. “We’ve been at this for weeks, and the Pinon nobles still won’t commit.”Conor sighed, running a hand through his hair. “They don’t want outsiders telling them what to do. It’s not about the gas fields. It’s about power.”Before Kerrigan could respond, the door opened, and Marina Ellis entered, followed by a handful of engineers and busi
Chapter 203:Tension in the Air
The atmosphere inside Lokir Estate was growing heavier by the day. The spring air might have been fresh and crisp outside, but inside the estate’s stone walls, tension had settled like an unwelcome guest. Conor sat at the head of a long, rectangular table in the estate’s smaller war room, surrounded by military advisors and defense experts. Maps, charts, and reports were spread out before them, detailing Golan’s current military situation, a stark reminder of the pressure Serret’s sanctions had placed on them."We’ve secured the Jinstain port for now," Colonel Eli Johnson said, leaning over the table to point at a map of the coastal city. "But with Serret cutting off our access to electronic components and military hardware, we’re more vulnerable than we’ve been in years."Conor frowned, his fingers drumming lightly against the polished wood of the table. "That’s the part that bothers me," he muttered. "Serret knows we&rs
Chapter 202: Patchwork Solutions
The atmosphere in Golan was growing more tense by the hour. The streets of Jinstain were filled with unrest, and protests were becoming a daily occurrence in Lokir as well.The people were feeling the sting of Serret’s embargo, and the energy crisis was hitting harder than anyone had expected. Fuel prices had spiked, and the kingdom was feeling the strain. The one saving grace was that winter had broken so at least people where not freezing in their homes.In the face of this escalating tension, Conor and Kerrigan had no choice but to act swiftly and decisively.Conor stood by the window of their study in Lokir Estate, staring out at the rolling hills and distant lake. Kerrigan sat at the large oak desk, papers spread out before her. Both of them were silent, each lost in their own thoughts as they prepared for the public address that would take place in just a few hours. The protests had grown too large to ignore, and the people needed reassurance.
Chapter 201: A Kingdom Under Pressure
The sharp, early morning wind blowing through Lokir Estate carried the unmistakable chill of unrest. Even within the estate's thick stone walls, the tension was palpable. Conor sat at the large mahogany desk in the study, staring at reports that seemed to grow more dire with each passing day. The impact of Serret's sanctions was finally starting to show, and the kingdom of Golan was feeling the pinch.Energy prices had nearly doubled in the past week alone, and the latest reports from Jinstain confirmed that people were starting to take to the streets in protest. The same unrest was spreading to Lokir, and Kerrigan had received word just the night before that angry mobs had begun to gather in the main square. What started as a protest over fuel prices was quickly morphing into something more dangerous.Conor rubbed his temples, trying to stave off the growing headache. They were caught in a tightening grip, and Serret's sanctions were only the beginning.The doo
Chapter 200: The Ripple Effect of Sanctions
The quiet hum of Lokir Estate was deceptive. Outside, the air smelled of blooming flowers and fresh spring, but within, a storm was brewing. The sanctions Serret had imposed on Golan were starting to take their toll, and Conor and Kerrigan knew that the real challenges were only just beginning. Seated around a large table in the estate’s meeting room, Kerrigan was surrounded by her most trusted business leaders, heads of the Dragon Corporation, and representatives from the Jinstain Group. Across from her, Conor reviewed updates from their economic advisors, his brow furrowed in thought."Textiles and spices are our biggest short-term problem," Marina Ellis, Vice President of Jinstain Group, said, tapping the papers in front of her. "We’ve got nobles calling us every day, demanding their orders for high-end fabrics. Silk, cashmere, and wool—Serret’s embargo has cut off the majority of our supply, and Golan’s luxury market is feeling the pinch. The
Chapter 199: Economic Strategy and Countermeasures
The air around Lokir Estate was crisp with the touch of early spring, but the tension inside the estate was palpable. Conor and Kerrigan had been managing a growing storm for days as Serret’s sanctions began to sink their teeth into Golan’s economy. What had initially seemed like a diplomatic spat was now evolving into a full-blown economic conflict.They knew the sanctions would have consequences—Serret’s decision to cut off exports of military hardware, electronic components, oil, and high-quality textiles was already rattling the markets, particularly those reliant on the old Benedict Group. Despite their efforts, the threat from Serret loomed large, and Conor and Kerrigan needed a plan to ensure Golan’s survival.Inside one of the estate’s grand conference rooms, Kerrigan stood at the head of a long table. The faces of business leaders from Dragon Corporation and the Jinstain Group stared back at her from the large video screen,
Chapter 198: Growing Tensions with Serret
The mood in the Lokir Estate had changed since the early days of their arrival. What had begun as a time to settle into their roles, handle estate matters, and enjoy the peace of spring had now turned tense.Word of Serret’s actions continued to filter in, and it was clear that Prince Khalid wasn’t wasting any time testing Golan’s resolve. But the threat wasn’t coming in the form of soldiers or military maneuvers—it was coming from the marketplace, where Serret was quietly setting the stage for an economic war.Conor sat at his desk, going over reports from the Regency Council when Kerrigan entered the room, her steps brisk. She was holding a letter, her face a mask of frustration."We’ve just received confirmation," she said, handing the paper to him. "Serret has imposed trade sanctions on Golan, specifically targeting our metal and textile exports."Conor frowned as he scanned the document. The two industries in quest
Chapter 197: News of Prince Khalid
The sun had barely reached its zenith when Natalie knocked on the door to Kerrigan’s study, her face tight with concern. Kerrigan looked up from her desk, where she had been reviewing estate management reports, and motioned for Natalie to enter.“What is it?” Kerrigan asked, sensing the tension before Natalie even spoke.Natalie approached, holding a folded newspaper in one hand. “I think you’ll want to see this,” she said, her voice carefully measured.Kerrigan took the paper, glancing briefly at the front page before her eyes landed on the headline in bold print: "Power Couple or Political Pawns? The Kingdom Watches as Conor and Kerrigan Rise."Her stomach tightened as she began reading. The article painted a mostly benign picture of her and Conor’s relationship, focusing on their increasing influence in Golan. It speculated on their connection to the Regency Council, their roles in managing both Jinstain and Lo
