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
“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
Conor sat in his office, staring out the window at the bustling city of Jinstain below. The view was stunning, but today, his mind was far from the skyscrapers and streets. Instead, he was focused on Kerrigan—how to reach her, how to bridge the distance between them, and how to show her what she meant to him despite being 11 hours away.He’d always been a man of action, solving problems head-on. But matters of the heart were different, more delicate. He needed a plan, something thoughtful that would remind Kerrigan of their connection, even from afar. But where to start? He wasn’t exactly known for his romantic gestures.As the idea took root, he grabbed his phone and quickly sent messages to three women whose opinions he valued: Kaylee, his efficient and ever-reliable secretary; Abbie Wiess, his sharp investment advisor; and Tina Bennett, the savvy real estate broker who always knew how to get things done. If anyone could help him navigate this unfamiliar territory, it was them.Less
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