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2024-08-22 04:43:30The sun had barely risen over the city when Kerrigan Lokir, still energized from the intense planning session with Conor the previous night, strode into Dragon Corporation’s headquarters. The early morning light filtered through the tall windows of the sleek, modern building, casting long shadows across the marble floors. Kerrigan moved with purpose, her thoughts already on the day’s agenda as she headed straight for her office.
She had a strategy to implement, and every minute counted.
“Good morning, Miss Lokir,” Natalie, her assistant, greeted her as she entered the office. “Your first meeting is in ten minutes. Mr. Vargas from R&D will be here shortly, followed by Miss Meher from Marketing.”
“Thank you, Natalie,” Kerrigan replied, flashing her a quick smile. “Please make sure we’re not disturbed. I need these meetings to be efficient and discreet.”
Natalie nodded, understanding the gravity of Kerrigan’s request. “Of course. I’ll have coffee and tea ready.”
Kerrigan moved to her desk, where a tablet displaying the day’s schedule awaited her. She scanned through it quickly, noting the meeting with the board later in the morning. That would be the pivotal moment—Dragon Corporation needed a fresh perspective, but the board would jump at the chance to sideline her and push Kelan into a role that would expose his incompetence.
They would never see Conor’s plan until it was too late.
But first, she needed to make sure her key staff were on the same page.
A knock on the door interrupted her thoughts, and Mr. Vargas, the head of Research and Development, stepped inside. He was a middle-aged man with graying hair and sharp, intelligent eyes. He had been with Dragon Corporation for nearly two decades and had played a crucial role in the company’s innovation and success.
“Good morning, Miss Lokir,” Vargas greeted her, taking a seat across from her desk.
“Good morning, Mr. Vargas,” Kerrigan replied, her tone professional but warm. “I wanted to touch base with you before the board meeting today. There are some developments I need you to be aware of.”
Vargas leaned forward, his expression attentive. “Of course, anything I can do to help.”
Kerrigan took a deep breath, choosing her words carefully. “As you know, the board has been pushing for changes—drastic changes. They’ve been pressuring me to cut costs, particularly in R&D and Marketing.”
Vargas frowned, clearly concerned. “R&D is the lifeblood of our company. If we make cuts there, we risk stifling our innovation and losing our competitive edge.”
Kerrigan nodded, her gaze steady. “I agree with you completely. But the board is eager to see immediate financial gains, and they’re likely to push for measures that could be harmful in the long run.”
Vargas’s frown deepened. “So what do we do?”
“We play along, for now,” Kerrigan said, her voice firm. “I want you to be prepared for some potential changes. It’s possible that the board will appoint Kelan Benidict to oversee a restructuring plan, which may involve cuts to your department.”
“Kelan?” Vargas’s eyes widened in surprise. “But he doesn’t have the expertise—”
“I know,” Kerrigan interjected smoothly. “And that’s why we need to be strategic. If Kelan starts making decisions that could harm R&D, I want you to quietly move key personnel to other parts of the company. We’ll reassign them temporarily, ensuring they’re protected from any layoffs.”
Vargas nodded slowly, understanding dawning on his face. “So, we let him think he’s making progress, but we safeguard our critical assets.”
“Exactly,” Kerrigan confirmed. “This isn’t just about protecting jobs; it’s about protecting the future of Dragon Corporation and our people. Kelan’s lack of expertise will become apparent soon enough, and when it does, we’ll be ready to step in and clean up the mess.”
Vargas gave her a small, appreciative smile. “You’ve always been a step ahead, Miss Lokir. But many will not understand. What if I am not able to relocate them within the company?”
“I have a plan for that. You can assure them that even if their check is not coming from Dragon Corporation, they will still be paid and still work for me, if temporarily in a unique capacity. Just be sure to let me know if that becomes necessary.”
Vargas nodded, “I’ll make the necessary preparations.”
“Thank you, Mr. Vargas. I’ll keep you informed as things develop at the top. You do the same for me if you hear anything. Together, we will make Dragon Corporation stronger still.”
Vargas stood and left the office, leaving Kerrigan to prepare for her next meeting. She had barely taken a sip of her coffee when there was another knock at the door. This time it was Miss Meher, the head of Marketing, who entered with a brisk, confident stride.
“Morning, Kerrigan,” Mellissa Meher greeted her with a smile, taking a seat and crossing her legs.
“Good morning, Mellissa. I’ll get right to it,” Kerrigan said, her tone direct. “The board is pushing for a restructuring, and I have reason to believe they’ll appoint Kelan Benidict to lead the effort.”
Meher raised an eyebrow, clearly unimpressed. “Kelan? Isn’t he the one who bungled that email system last month?”
“Among other things,” Kerrigan replied dryly. “But the board seems to think he can bring a ‘fresh perspective’ to the company. I need you to be prepared for the possibility of cuts in Marketing.”
Meher’s expression turned serious. “Cutting Marketing is a mistake. We’re the face of the company—how we’re perceived by the public, our clients, our investors… It all hinges on our work.”
Kerrigan nodded. “I know, and that’s why I need your help. If Kelan targets your department, I want you to start shifting key personnel and projects. We need to protect our core talent, even if it means moving them under different subsidiary companies temporarily.”
Meher leaned back in her chair, considering the plan. “So, we let him think he’s streamlining the company, but we’re really just moving the pieces around on the books? Out of sight out of mind?”
“Exactly,” Kerrigan said, a small smile playing on her lips. “It’s important that we don’t tip our hand too early. Kelan’s incompetence will be his downfall, but until then, we need to ensure Dragon Corporation stays intact.”
Kerrigan slid a note to Mellissa with Aperture’s information and Peter’s contact info. “Incase anyone is fired, be sure they know where to still get a check until I can get things – sorted.”
Meher nodded, a glint of determination in her eyes. “I’ll make sure my team is ready. We won’t let him sabotage our work. So will have questions but I am guessing this contact will be able to safely answer them?”
“Indeed. He is trustworthy. Thank you, Meher. Keep this between us for now. We’ll need to be discreet.”
After Meher left, Kerrigan allowed herself a brief moment to collect her thoughts. The plan was set, and after a few more similar meetings, her key staff would all be on board. Their trust in her was evident. Now, it was time to face the board and make sure she held her end of the bargain.
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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
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Chapter 204: Economic Crisis and Political Maneuvering
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Chapter 203:Tension in the Air
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Chapter 202: Patchwork Solutions
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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
- Rejected Billionaire book 2: Abraxas's Revenge
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
- Rejected Billionaire book 2: Abraxas's Revenge
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,
- Rejected Billionaire book 2: Abraxas's Revenge
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
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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
