Kerrigan had been trying to focus on the documents in front of her, but her mind kept wandering back to the meeting with Theo Bryant.It had gone well, better than she’d expected, but the unease that had settled in her chest since their return from the Duke's estate had only grown. Conor had been distant, more so with each passing day, and she couldn’t help but feel that she was losing him.As she flipped through another page, a soft knock on the door interrupted her thoughts. Natalie stepped into the office, her expression serious as she held a folded newspaper in her hand."Kerrigan, you should see this," Natalie said, her tone cautious.Kerrigan raised an eyebrow, motioning for her to hand it over. "What’s going on?"Natalie hesitated before handing her the newspaper. "It’s today’s edition of the Golan Tribune. I thought you might want to see it before the others do."Kerrigan took the paper and unfolded it, her breath catching in her throat as she saw the front page. There, in sta
Kerrigan stared at the brief message Conor had sent a few hours later. It was just a few lines—detached, professional—reporting that Emily was safe in Jinstain and responding well to treatment.There was no warmth, no personal touch, just the facts. It was exactly what she had asked for, but it still stung.She knew Conor was pulling back, creating distance between them, but it didn’t make it any easier to accept. It was like he had drawn a line, one she wasn’t sure how to cross.She had planned on meeting with him and giving Theo good news together about Emily, but it seemed she was on her own. That hurt more than she was ready to admit.A knock on her door pulled her from her thoughts. It was Theo Bryant, looking more worn out than usual, the strain of the past few weeks evident in the lines of his face.“Mr. Bryant,” Kerrigan greeted him with a nod, trying to mask her own weariness. “Thank you for coming. Please, have a seat.”Theo sat down, his movements slow and deliberate. “You
Conor sat at the head of a long table in a private dining room, the soft clinking of silverware and the low hum of conversation filling the space. He watched the group of interns as they chatted among themselves, their expressions a mix of excitement and nerves.They were young, eager, and bright-eyed—the kind of people who could one day become the future of Dragon Corporation, if they stuck around long enough.But that was precisely the problem. Conor could sense the unease in the room, the way some of them avoided eye contact, their laughter a little too forced.He had invited them to dinner under the pretense of gaining insights for Vokrizin’s own internship program, but his real goal was to uncover what was happening behind the scenes at Dragon Corporation.He cleared his throat, drawing their attention.“Thank you all for joining me tonight. I’ve heard great things about the internship program here at Dragon Corporation, and I wanted to get some firsthand feedback. You’re the fut
Conor woke early, the darkness of the early morning still lingering as he stared at the ceiling of his hotel room. Sleep had been elusive, his mind filled with thoughts of the previous night's dinner with the interns and the growing distance between him and Kerrigan.The decision weighed heavily on him, and he knew he couldn't delay it any longer. He needed clarity, and that meant making a difficult choice.He quietly dressed in his running gear and left the room, missing that familiar companionship of Faolan trotting at his side.The cold mountain air of Velyki even in summer hit him as soon as he stepped outside, the bite of the wind coming off the high peaks a sharp reminder of the reality he was facing.He set off at a brisk pace, the rhythmic pounding of his feet on the pavement providing a small measure of comfort. Faolan kept pace with him, her breath visible in the frosty air, as they wound through the city streets.Conor pushed himself harder than usual, trying to outrun the
As the sleek private charter jet touched down on the runway of Jinstain Regional Airport, Conor Brantley couldn’t help but feel a sense of relief. The weeks spent in Velyki had been draining—emotionally, mentally, and physically.While Velyki held the icy charm of the northern mountains, Jinstain felt like home. Here, in the coastal city with its warm sea breeze, he was surrounded by the growing business empire he had built from the ground up, a testament to Celia’s blessing and his mother’s ability to make lasting connections .Parker Townson, ever the vigilant guard, was at his side as they descended the jet’s steps and into the warm, welcoming summer sun of Jinstain. As they approached the waiting car, Conor’s phone buzzed with messages from his team, eager to meet and debrief.The first thing Conor did though, was take off his blasted winter lined jacket. He would have to visit Mr. Dries and get some summer suits made again.Upon arriving at Vokrizin’s temporary headquarters in th
Kerrigan stared the stacks of documents piled high on her desk. Despite the warmth of the sun streaming though her window, there was a chill in the room, a coldness that had settled in the pit of her stomach since Conor’s departure. His absence was more palpable than she had expected, a constant reminder of the tension that had built between them over the last few weeks.Faolan, ever her loyal companion, lay curled up atop her feet on the rug under her desk, ears twitching at every sound. The dog’s presence was a small comfort, but it did little to ease the weight on Kerrigan’s shoulders. She had so much to deal with, and without Conor by her side, it felt like she was carrying the burden alone.Kerrigan sat back in her chair, staring at the various documents and reports that required her attention. The cleaning staff’s intel had been insightful, revealing troubling details about David Grain, one of the swing vote board members. The knowledge weighed heavily on her mind, especially no
The streets of Jinstain were alive with activity as Conor and Parker drove toward the Celia’s Blessing Community Center. Despite the hustle and bustle of the city, Conor’s thoughts were miles away, lingering on the events of Velyki and the growing distance between him and Kerrigan.As the SUV turned a corner, the faded murals of the run down community center came into view, pulling Conor back to the present.Parker pulled the vehicle to a stop in front of the center, scanning the area out of habit before stepping out. Conor followed, taking in the sight of the children playing in the courtyard. Their laughter filled the air, a stark contrast to the heaviness Conor felt in his chest.Jonathan, the director of the center, appeared at the entrance, a broad smile on his face. “Conor, welcome back! The kids have been asking about you non-stop.”“It’s good to be back,” Conor replied, forcing a smile as he shook Jonathan’s hand. The warmth of the greeting eased some of his tension, but the t
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