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
Conor left his office, his thoughts still on the conversation with Mr. Nuri. The situation with the spice trade was more complex than he’d anticipated, and he knew he couldn’t afford to take any chances. His mind was already turning over the next steps as he made his way through the Dreadnaught Law Firm, heading towards the security offices where Colonel Eli Johnson was based.As he walked, he noticed Parker leaning against the wall near the elevator, engaged in a light-hearted conversation with Kaylee. Parker’s eyes lit up when he saw Conor approaching, and he quickly wrapped up his chat with Kaylee.“Boss,” Parker greeted, falling into step beside Conor. “You look like you’ve got something on your mind.”Conor glanced at him. “You could say that. How are things on your end?”“Quiet so far, but I’ve got my eyes open. You heading out?”“Yeah. We need to talk to the Colonel about tightening security. We’ve got a potential issue with Benedict Group messing with distribution, and I don’t
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
The car pulled away from the nearly deserted Cochan Mall, the image of the empty corridors and shuttered stores still fresh in Conor's mind.Parker drove in silence, sensing Conor's deep thoughts as they left the area behind. The drive was quiet, with only the hum of the engine filling the space between them.Conor leaned back in his seat, his thoughts spinning in different directions. The encounter with Zelgan had stirred up more than just memories of the past; it had rekindled an idea that had been simmering in the back of his mind for a while now.The Cochan Mall was a shadow of its former self, a relic of a time when things were simpler, before betrayal and heartbreak had left their mark on his life.It was time to make a move.“Parker, I’m going to make a call,” Conor said, breaking the silence as he pulled out his phone. Parker nodded, his focus on the road.Conor scrolled through his contacts until he found the name he was looking for: Abbie Wiess, his trusted investment adviso