“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
Kerrigan sat at her desk hours later, the morning’s tension still weighing heavily on her as she tried to focus on the work at hand. The journal, with its mysterious inscription and the apple blossom, rested on the corner of her desk where she could glance at it from time to time.She had spent the better part of the morning poring over documents, pretending she was trying to wrap her head around the mess Kelan was causing, but all she was managing was to distract herself from the turmoil of her emotions.Just as she managed to find some semblance of focus, the door to her office burst open, and Kelan Benedict strode in as if he owned the place. Kerrigan’s heart sank at the sight of him, his broad shoulders filling the doorway, his confident smirk practically daring her to protest his presence.“Kerrigan, my dear,” Kelan announced grandly, as if he were addressing a ballroom full of admirers instead of a single, very unimpressed woman. “I’ve come to sweep you off your feet!”She barel
Kerrigan sat at her desk, her pen hovering over the first page of the journal. The words Dear Conor stared back at her, and for a moment, she felt paralyzed. She didn’t know where to start or what she wanted to say. Her emotions were a tangled web, and sorting through them seemed like an impossible task.She took a deep breath, trying to steady her thoughts. The day had been exhausting, and the lunch with Prince Khalid had left her feeling even more conflicted. His charm and poise had been undeniable, but the underlying implications of his attention weighed heavily on her. She knew what he wanted, what the Duke hoped for, and what everyone around her seemed to expect. But what did she want?Her thoughts drifted back to Conor, to the way he had always been there for her, supporting her through everything. And yet, now, he was gone—back to Jinstain, back to his life. She had told herself it was for the best, that they needed the distance, but the empty space he left behind felt like a v
The next few days passed in a blur. Kerrigan’s days were filled with meetings, strategy sessions, and the ever-present weight of Dragon Corporation’s future pressing on her shoulders. Yet, amidst the chaos, she found solace in the leather-bound journal that had become her most trusted confidant.Each night, after the long hours at the office, Kerrigan would retreat to her private quarters, and under the soft glow of a single lamp, she would pour her thoughts into the journal.She wasn’t ready to share it—those words, those emotions, were still too raw—but the act of writing was a release she hadn’t realized she needed.The journal had become a lifeline, a place where she could talk to Conor, express her fears, her doubts, and her longing, without the pressure of his immediate response.She still wondered who had sent the journal, but for now, the mystery was less important than the comfort it brought. It was a space for her to sort her thoughts, to face her vulnerabilities, and to fee
Kerrigan stared at her phone, the screen still dark and lifeless, as if reflecting the uncertainty she felt. The meeting with the interns had shaken her, but it had also steeled her resolve. Kelan couldn’t be allowed to continue his reign of terror, but she knew she needed to play this carefully. The stakes were too high.With a deep breath, she dialed Conor’s number. The call rang only twice before he picked up.“Kerrigan,” Conor’s voice was warm, familiar. “I was just thinking about you.”“Were you?” she replied, trying to keep her tone light despite the heaviness in her heart. “I… I was thinking about you too.”She let the statement hand for a moment before Conor cleared his throat, “As nice as it is to hear from you out of the blue, it is almost midnight. While I don’t mind having a late night call with a beautiful woman, I get the impression you had other reasons for calling?“I do have something I need to tell you.” Kerrigan said reluctantly, knowing that wasn’t what he wanted t
Kerrigan paced her room, the lights of Velyki City twinkling outside the hotel suite window. The phone felt heavy in her hand as she debated whether to make the call to Theo. It was late—midnight, to be exact—but there was no time to waste. She needed him to be on board, and she needed him to understand the gravity of the situation.Taking a deep breath, she dialed Theo Bryant’s number. The phone rang several times before he picked up, his voice groggy and irritated.“Kerrigan? Do you have any idea what time it is?” Theo’s voice was thick with sleep.“I do, and I’m sorry to wake you,” Kerrigan replied, trying to keep her tone calm and steady. “But this can’t wait. I need you in my office first thing in the morning. There’s something important we need to discuss.”There was a pause on the other end of the line, and Kerrigan could practically hear Theo rubbing his eyes as he processed her words.“Fine,” he finally said, his tone resigned. “I’ll be there. But this better be worth it.”“I