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Rejected Billionaire book 2: Abraxas's Revenge Chapter 10: Reckless cuts
Kelan Benidict strode through the halls of Dragon Corporation with an air of triumph. He reveled in the power he wielded, the authority that had been handed to him by the board.The layoffs were well underway, and he had no intention of slowing down. In his mind, this was his moment—his chance to reshape the company in his image, to prove to his father and the board that he was a force to be reckoned with.As he entered the R&D department, the atmosphere was tense. Employees glanced up from their workstations, their expressions a mix of fear and uncertainty. Kelan barely acknowledged them as he made his way to the office of Dr. Miles Irving, one of the company’s leading engineers.“Dr. Irving,” Kelan said as he entered the office, not bothering to knock.Miles looked up, a frown creasing his brow. “Mr. Benidict. What can I do for you?”Kelan didn’t waste time with pleasantries. “I’m here to inform you that we’re cutting 25% of the R&D staff. Effective immediately.”Miles’s eyes widene
Rejected Billionaire book 2: Abraxas's Revenge Chapter 11: Standing firm in the fallout
Back in her office, Kerrigan received a message from Dr. Irving. The normally composed engineer was clearly distraught, his message outlining the dire consequences of the layoffs in R&D. Kerrigan read through his concerns carefully, her heart heavy. She knew he was right—these cuts would have a devastating impact on the company’s ability to innovate and stay ahead of the competition.But she also knew that she couldn’t intervene—not yet.Instead, Kerrigan drafted a carefully worded response, expressing her concern and sympathy but ultimately placing the responsibility on Kelan’s shoulders. She needed to maintain the appearance of being supportive of the board’s decision while subtly distancing herself from the fallout.“Dr. Irving,” she wrote, “I share your concerns about the impact these cuts will have on R&D. However, the decision has been made by the board, and it is our duty to carry out their directives to the best of our ability.”“Please know that I value your contributions and
Rejected Billionaire book 2: Abraxas's Revenge Chapter 12: Camp Kerrigan
Conor’s plans for the week had gone out the window as soon as Kelan had made his first move.While he had hoped to learn about dragon corporation’s team culture over the course of a month or two by shadowing staff at the subsidiaries and local businesses before moving into the headquarters, that fell flat when Kelan started axing key staff on day one.There wasn’t even a planning period or chance for analysis. In the first week, Kelan had fired more staff than Conor thought Vokrizin had in total!In front of Kerrigan, he did his best to appear calm and in control but right now, standing on the platform of Bayan railway’s passenger terminal, he had half a mind to join the mass exidus heading for Jinstain.All around him, hundreds of families gathered with carts laden with belongings. Some would be making the move as a family, while others were seeing their loved ones off, praying that they would still get a paycheck to sustain their now split family’s duel residence.Conor’s phone ran
Rejected Billionaire book 2: Abraxas's Revenge Chapter 13: Dr. Irving
As the departing staff loaded onto the train and the remaining family members dispersed, Conor caught sight of a familiar face in the crowd—a middle-aged man with salt-and-pepper hair and a thoughtful expression.It was Dr. Miles Irving, one of the key engineers from Dragon Corporation’s R&D department. Conor had been particularly interested to see his picture come up in the folder of laid off staff, knowing just how crucial his expertise would be to ongoing research at Dragon Corporation.The fact Kelan had let him go showed that their understanding of his incompetence was likely spot on.“Dr. Irving,” Conor called out, “Over here!”“Peter?,” Miles greeted him with a handshake, his grip firm but his eyes betraying the stress of the past few days. “I have to admit, when I got that call from your people, I was surprised. But grateful. I didn’t think I’d find another opportunity so quickly after… well, you know.”Conor nodded, understanding the unspoken frustration. “I am Conor, not Pet
Rejected Billionaire book 2: Abraxas's Revenge Chapter 14: Wine and late night talks
As he entered the suite with several wine bottles in hand, Conor noticed the soft murmur of voices coming from the living area. He walked in to find Kerrigan sitting on the couch, her expression a mix of exhaustion and irritation. Evelynn and Gabriella were seated across from her.Kerrigan looked up as Conor entered, her eyes lighting up at the sight of him. “Conor,” she greeted him with a tired smile. “I was wondering when you’d get here.”“I’m here now, and I brought wine!” Conor replied, returning her smile as he raised the bottles in greeting. “Thought we could all use a drink tonight.”Evelynn jumped up and ran to the kitchen returning a minute later with chilled glasses for everyone. She set them on the table and leaned towards Conor. “You are a god among men, my good sir. She has been a mess and is in desperate need of this.”Conor smirked as he took off his jacket and found a corkscrew. The wine had a nice temp, chilled by the cool spring air of the high mountains.Once everyo
Rejected Billionaire book 2: Abraxas's Revenge Chapter 15: Good Morning
Soft light slowly roused Kerrigan from her dream. The bed was warm and she snuggled closer to the heated pillow.ThumpThump, thumpKerrigan lay there, her body wrapped around the warm pillow as its heart beat steady beneath her head.Heart…Beating…Kerrigan slowly opened her eyes to find she had somehow made it from the couch to a bed she didn’t recognize. That wasn’t unusual these days. After all, she had been changing beds every few weeks it seemed ever since the murder attempt.But this was the first time she had woken up to someone else in bed with her.Ok, not the first time… but she had nearly punched Conor that time and he had not actually been IN bed with her. More ON the bed, waking her up.However, right now, it was very clearly NOT her pillow that she was sprawled across. Bare skin met her fingers as she felt this NOT pillow.Kerrigan’s mind slowly cleared as she became more aware of her surroundings. The soft, rhythmic thumping beneath her ear was unmistakable—the steady
Rejected Billionaire book 2: Abraxas's Revenge Chapter 16: Theo
Conor sat in the back of a black sedan, parked inconspicuously a few blocks from Dragon Corporation’s headquarters. From his vantage point, he and Parker had a clear view of the building’s front entrance, where he patiently waited for Theo Bryant, one of Dragon Corporation's board members, to emerge.Theo had been on Kerigan’s radar because he always struck her as a reserved and cautious man—someone who avoided the spotlight and rarely engaged in the power plays that consumed the other board members.But since returning, she had noticed something off. He was too compliant, too eager to align himself with Kelan’s reckless decisions. There was a desperation in his actions that didn’t fit the man Kerrigan had known for nearly six years.Today, it was Conor’s job to find out what he did when away from the office.Theo emerged from the building right on schedule for his daily lunch. His tall, slightly stooped figure was easy to spot. He was dressed in a well-tailored suit, but there was
Rejected Billionaire book 2: Abraxas's Revenge Chapter 17: Transcendent Compassion
At the top, Conor found a door left slightly ajar. He slipped inside, his senses on high alert as he moved down the dimly lit hallway, Parker close behind. The smell of stale air, dampness, and something acrid filled his nostrils, the sounds of the city outside muted by the thick, grime-coated walls. He could hear muffled voices coming from one of the rooms ahead and crept closer, careful to stay in the shadows.Peeking through the doorway, Conor saw Theo standing in the middle of a small, cluttered room. The place was a mess—clothes and empty food containers strewn across the floor, the wallpaper peeling, the furniture mismatched and worn. It was the sight of the young woman on a pallet of blankets on the floor that caught Conor’s attention.She was thin, her skin pale and her dark hair a tangled mess. She looked to be little more than a teen or maybe her early twenties, her eyes sunken and dull.She was curled up under a blanket, her body trembling as she pulled it tighter around h
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- Rejected Billionaire book 2: Abraxas's Revenge
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
- Rejected Billionaire book 2: Abraxas's Revenge
Chapter 204: Economic Crisis and Political Maneuvering
The sun hung low over the Lokir estate, casting a soft glow over the rolling hills and distant forests. Conor sat at the long oak table in the estate’s grand conference room, staring down at the map of Pinon Province spread out before him. The lines on the map marked the gas fields they were hoping to tap, though, at this point, hope felt like too generous a word. Kerrigan stood beside him, her fingers trailing over the routes of potential pipelines, her brow furrowed in concentration.“They’re stalling,” she muttered, her voice tight with frustration. “We’ve been at this for weeks, and the Pinon nobles still won’t commit.”Conor sighed, running a hand through his hair. “They don’t want outsiders telling them what to do. It’s not about the gas fields. It’s about power.”Before Kerrigan could respond, the door opened, and Marina Ellis entered, followed by a handful of engineers and busi
- Rejected Billionaire book 2: Abraxas's Revenge
Chapter 203:Tension in the Air
The atmosphere inside Lokir Estate was growing heavier by the day. The spring air might have been fresh and crisp outside, but inside the estate’s stone walls, tension had settled like an unwelcome guest. Conor sat at the head of a long, rectangular table in the estate’s smaller war room, surrounded by military advisors and defense experts. Maps, charts, and reports were spread out before them, detailing Golan’s current military situation, a stark reminder of the pressure Serret’s sanctions had placed on them."We’ve secured the Jinstain port for now," Colonel Eli Johnson said, leaning over the table to point at a map of the coastal city. "But with Serret cutting off our access to electronic components and military hardware, we’re more vulnerable than we’ve been in years."Conor frowned, his fingers drumming lightly against the polished wood of the table. "That’s the part that bothers me," he muttered. "Serret knows we&rs
- Rejected Billionaire book 2: Abraxas's Revenge
Chapter 202: Patchwork Solutions
The atmosphere in Golan was growing more tense by the hour. The streets of Jinstain were filled with unrest, and protests were becoming a daily occurrence in Lokir as well.The people were feeling the sting of Serret’s embargo, and the energy crisis was hitting harder than anyone had expected. Fuel prices had spiked, and the kingdom was feeling the strain. The one saving grace was that winter had broken so at least people where not freezing in their homes.In the face of this escalating tension, Conor and Kerrigan had no choice but to act swiftly and decisively.Conor stood by the window of their study in Lokir Estate, staring out at the rolling hills and distant lake. Kerrigan sat at the large oak desk, papers spread out before her. Both of them were silent, each lost in their own thoughts as they prepared for the public address that would take place in just a few hours. The protests had grown too large to ignore, and the people needed reassurance.
- Rejected Billionaire book 2: Abraxas's Revenge
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
- Rejected Billionaire book 2: Abraxas's Revenge
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
