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Rejected Billionaire 29: Abraxas's Wrath
He could feel Mr. Arroz watching him, and turned to shake the man’s hand. “Thank you for this opportunity.”“If you do as well out here as you did creating that Spice of Life, I’ll have something special for you at the end of the shift,” Mr. Arroz promised, his eyes twinkling with excitement. He seem to come to a decision and turned, disappearing back into his shop, leaving Conor to manage the table.Conor eyed the jars of spices and the small crowd that passed by. The pungent aroma wafted around him, a blend of the familiar and the exotic.Families strolled by, some pausing to sniff curiously, others moving briskly toward GrizlHut or the arcade on the other side of the Spice Emporium. As the evening progressed, Conor enjoyed the pleasant interactions with the few patrons who stopped by, even managing to make a few sales.Just as he was settling into the rhythm of the evening, a familiar head of brunette hair bobbed out of GrizlHut and headed in his direction.“Conor?”Conor turned to
Rejected Billionaire 30: A Frosty Morning and Frayed Nerves
The next morning, Conor awoke to a frigid chill in the air. Winter had finally arrived, and the cold seemed to seep into his bones. He wrapped himself tightly in his blanket, grateful that Jessica hadn’t taken it away this time. From the kitchen, he heard the familiar clatter of dishes as Jessica prepared breakfast.“Hurry up, Conor. Don’t be late for Jackson’s! Remember, rent is due Friday!” Jessica’s voice carried a sense of urgency that sent a pang of guilt through him.Conor rolled out of bed, the cold air biting at his skin as he hurried to shower and dress. By the time he made it to the kitchen, Jessica had already left for work. He sighed, quickly scrambling an egg and eating it straight from the pan before jogging to work.When Conor arrived at Jackson Furniture, he was met with a stern-faced Mr. Matthews waiting for him at the entrance.“Care to explain why I have an irate client threatening to sue us after having an accident shortly after leaving our loading dock?” Mr. Matthe
Rejected Billionaire 31 Karen vs Abrasax's Wrath
Thursday “Are you ready yet?” called Cynthia. “Mother, remind me where we are going this time?” sighed an exacerbated Jessica as she struggled to put in an earring while checking the mirror. “It is an outing to the art district with the ladies of Princess Arisa’s personal house staff. These people serve in the Princess’s personal home and know the going ons of the kingdom. If you take the time to socialize with them, you can be best prepared to market our businesses and help attract new clients to our malls. It is very important.” “It sounds expensive,” huffed Jessica, attempting to slide on a high-heeled shoe while her mother draped a fine coat over her shoulders. “It necessary for ladies of our increasing standing in society to adhere to the expectation of the upper class. A simple outing such as this can secure the recommendation for new restaurants, and high-end shops to want storefronts in our malls if they see us in the good graces of the Princess and other nobil
Rejected Billionaire 32: Scrapping to Make End Meet
Friday morning, Conor arrived early at Jackson’s Furniture. The familiar creak of the old wooden floors under his feet echoed his anxiety as he approached Mr. Matthews' office. The door was slightly ajar, and Conor hesitated for a moment before knocking gently."Mr. Matthews, do you have a minute?"Mr. Matthews looked up from his paperwork and offered a small smile. "Yes, Conor, come on in. What’s on your mind?"Conor swallowed his pride, feeling the weight of the situation pressing down on him. "This is a tough thing to ask, as I know I’ve only been here a short while. But is there any chance you could pay me for this week's work at the end of the shift? The end-of-month bills are due, and I’m still a bit short."Mr. Matthews leaned back in his chair, studying Conor’s face. "I see. Well, you’ve been working hard, Conor, and it’s money you’ve earned. You also made a decent sale on your first day. See me after your shift, and I’ll have your hours calculated."Relief washed over Conor, a
Rejected Billionaire 33: The Mistake was Marrying You!
Conor cautiously made his way up to the apartment, his heart heavy with the knowledge that he didn’t have the full amount Jessica had asked for.As he opened the door, the tension in the room hit him like a physical force. His mother-in-law, Cynthia, was in the middle of a tirade, her voice sharp and biting as she berated Jessica.“Ask him then! Does he have the money to cover your rent? Can he pay the utility bills? What about the bill to repair your car? Does he have enough for a car for himself yet? ASK HIM, Jessica!”Jessica looked stunned, her eyes wide and fearful as she tried to absorb the barrage of accusations. Conor couldn’t even begin to guess what poison his mother-in-law had been feeding her while he was out.The silence stretched between them, heavy and oppressive, as Jessica hesitated, clearly building up the courage to confront him.“Conor,” she finally said, her voice trembling slightly, “I told you we needed 4,000 dragons to pay the bills this month. Were you able to
Rejected Billionaire 34: New Dawn Brings New Opportunities
Sat As the sun crested the eastern mountain tops, the frozen dew lay across a smooth field of grass, coating it in tiny white crystals. Birds began their morning hunt for food in the chill early winter air. Thankfully for Conor, while it could get excessively cold at night in the winter months, a strong sea breeze had blown a hint of salty air into the area, keeping it just at freezing this night. The sun's rays would quickly begin to warm the world. He stiffly sat up from under a pile of leaves, and a blanket a kind stranger had left him. Through the mental fog that has become his reality, Conor heard a phone ringing. As he numbly answered, an over-excited voice yells at him over the noise of a crowd, “Conor! You are not going to believe this!!! Someone actually wants to pick up my game! Conor?! You there? Can you hear me?” The words seemed distant and inconsequential to Conor as he tried to process the confusing melodrama that had bec
Rejected Billionaire 35: Refreshed and Revitalized.
Conor disappeared into the shower and was thrilled to have the hot water flow over him. The steam lifted the grime from the night in the park off him and his soul soothed as he leaned against the shower wall. The hot water slowly began to loosen tense muscles. He felt as if blood was finally flowing to his brain and his thoughts were able to align themselves. He would fix this, and he would make sure that Jessica was secure in the world and could provide his wife with a home, financial security, and social standing if it was the last thing he did. He was done letting Cynthia poison the world against him, and especially his own wife. “Mr. Brantley? Your suit is waiting for you,” came a soft feminine voice from the door. Conor was startled but heard the door slide shut as the lady left. he wondered if that might have been Anna who had picked him up. A brief fantasy played out in his mind but he opted to wait a minute longer, savoring the warm water before shutting off the s
Rejected Billionaire 36: Targu Province: Kerrigan Lokir
Targu Province: Kerrigan Lokir's POV Kerrigan Lokir trudged along an onyx lined corridor, a step behind the slimy-haired Prima Zadok Sundeas. Prima Zadok’s leering gaze always gave her the creeps, so she did her best to keep him in front of her, where she could be the one keeping him in her sights. “I want you to go to Jinstain. It has been three years since the loss of the Pendent of Celia. See if you can find it. The Dragoons seem to have lost the scent again,” he was saying. “I have business to deal with here in Targu. Bayan Province is too far out of my way,” Kerrigan said tartly. She was in no mood to do his bidding. Prima Zadok stopped and turned to her. Gripping her chin with his long fingers he said, “Kerri dear, you will do as I say.” He g
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S3 Chapter 22: Train rides
Monday morning broke with a cool spring breeze showing the last vestiges of winter before summer’s heat. Conor tossed his suitcase into the back of the SUV and hopped into the passenger seat.Parker drove them to Kerrigan’s house, pausing briefly to acknowledge the gate guard. Conor recognized him as one of Colonel Eli’s men he had seen around Vokrizin.“Jamison is a good man. He will make sure nothing happens to Miss Lokir’s house while you all are away,” Parker said.Conor just nodded.They pulled up to Kerrigan’s house and Parker honked twice.Conor jumped out when he saw the four ladies exit with several bags each. He and Parker quickly moved to help and filled the back of the SUV with bags, nearly completely blocking any hope of looking out the back window.“Guess you are moving out. No plans to return?” Conor asked.Kerrigan replied smoothly, “I am sure I will be back. This isn’t a fraction of what is in that house.”Parker closed the trunk and addressed everyone, “The Colonel do
- Rejected Billionaire
S3 Chapter 21: Kelan
Targu Province. Saturday night “A toast! To our good brother Kelan, for without him, many of us would still be scrapping the bottom of the barrel here in Velyki!” declared Darren Krellis. “Here, here!” chorused the room. "My family thanks you for letting us take over this place and turn it into the exclusive club Velykie can be proud of!" Darren declared. Kelan Benedict stood and saluted the room with his wine glass and took a swig. “Brothers and lovely guests,” he began, eyeing the ladies around the room dressed in tight-fitting evening gowns. “Tonight, I thank you for this gracious meal. Hopefully, the future will bring mutual benefit as the Benedict family begins its absorption of Velyki and then Targu!” There was a round of cheers and Kelan slumped back into his seat, wrapping his arm around Clarise, a tall attractive blonde dressed in a red dress that did wonders for her figure. “Brother Kelan,” came a grading voice beside him as someone sat down on the couch. Kelan took h
- Rejected Billionaire
S3 Chapter 20 : Visiting the Spice Emporium
“That was crazy,” Conor said as they headed across the street. Kerrigan slipped up beside him, slipping her hand into his, “I get the feeling that our lives will always attract crazy.” Conor sighed, “It does seem that way. Let’s see how Mr. Arroz is doing.” Conor gave Kerrigan’s hand a gentle squeeze as they crossed the street and stepped into the spice shop. A small bell sounded as they walked in. “Be right up!” came the bellow from the back room. Conor pointed to the glass case that protected the world from the hottest spice known, Abrasax’s wrath. “Now, any idea how we can get Kelan and perhaps Nyman to swallow that whole jar?” Kerrigan giggled, “I have a few I would like to feed it to. Think Mr. Arroz will part with the whole jar?” “Depends if he thinks he can replace it,” Conor said as Faolon brushed past him. “Hey, Faolan! Sit! PRALL!” Faolan came back and sat at his feet. Kerrigan looked up at him, “She just wants to sniff. This whole place is full of new smells.” “I k
- Rejected Billionaire
S3 Ch19: Entitlement
Conor and Kerrigan rode in companionable silence for most of the trip back to town, content to rest from the day’s climbing. They sat, each leaning against opposing car windows, but their legs met, touching from knee to heel. Conor felt their fingers brush and gently laced his with hers, enjoying how her hand fit so perfectly with his.It was near dinner time when they finally turned onto the street near the Spice Emporium. As Parker pulled into a parking space at the far end of the street, Conor noticed the Grizlehut. It had been a long time since he had thought about his old job. While his condominium home was at the far end of the street, he never come down this way anymore. Too often, Parker would be waiting for him, and they would simply drive the other direction to get to Vokrizin.Conor reached for the door and realized Kerrigan was completely passed out against her window. He leaned over and gently shook her shoulder. As she came awake, Conor saw a flash of panic cross her face
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S3 Ch 18: Trust building
He changed his hand position and reached, finding the quickdraw dangling from its anchor. He clipped the rope in and began his attempt to crest the bulge in the rock. As he pivoted, he realized the angle he was moving to would erase any grip he had on that hold. As he thought this, he felt a weightless sensation as he began to fall away from the rock. The rope went taught and jerked him mid-air as Kerrigan was pulled off her feet, flying fifteen feet in the air. She managed to hold the rope in its breaking position but her head was dangerously close to his feet. When he had caught his breath, Conor looked down into Kerrigan’s terrified green eyes. “Fancy meeting you up here. Think we could meet up again, once we are safely on the ground?” Kerrigan gawked at him for a second before smiling, “I suppose I could let you down, but You are at my mercy. I might just have to leave you up here like a pinata.” Conor chuckled as he watched her slowly release tension, lowering herself back dow
- Rejected Billionaire
S3 Ch 17: Rock climbing
“OK, now it's time for you to try. Who is up first?” Conor volunteered. “Fine, Kerrigan, you are on belay. I will back you up and walk you through each step. I want you both to understand, Lead climbing like this places your life in the hands of your partner. If you don’t trust each other and learn not only to communicate but to anticipate each other’s needs, you will fail and likely hurt each other.” Kerrigan looked dubiously at Parker. “Conor is easily 50 pounds heavier than me!” Parker eyed Conor’s muscular but toned form, “You are what? 200 or 210 pounds these days?” “Last I checked, yea, right at 205.” “Should be fine. Kerrigan, you just have to learn to brace yourself correctly. You could go for a ride but if you use the skills I taught you earlier you could even belay me, and I am 230 pounds these days. Climbing is about technique as much as it is about skill. Now, let's get Conor tied in.” Parker tied the end of the climbing rope to Conor’s harness and showed Kerrigan.
- Rejected Billionaire
S3 Ch16:
Conor leaned against the SUV with Parker standing across from him checking through a few bags of gear. “We have three ropes, harnesses for everyone, belay devices, and four full sets of quickdraws. I am also bringing a few crash pads. I don’t plan on you needing to use them but we will put them along the base just in case. Here, try these on.” Parker tossed a pair of strange shoes to him. Conor looked at the shoes that had a sharp curve to the toe and the sole was a flat rubber that followed the arch curve. The tan material seemed to be some sort of soft doeskin or very supple leather. Conor tried to pull the shoe on but his toes cramped and they were shoved into the tight shoes. “Umm, I think these are too small.” Parker walked over and check them. “your heal fits right?” “Yea, but my toes are all curled” “Painfully curled or just uncomfortably curled?” Conor considered before finally replying, “just uncomfortable. My shoes are normally a bit loose.” “Then they fit perfectly.
- Rejected Billionaire
S3 Ch 15: Issues at home
Kerrigan spent the next day walking around the property at her house with Faolan. It had been a while since they had been able to just play, and she took this opportunity to play fetch. Thankfully her right arm still functioned, though being it was her off-hand, it was a bit awkward to throw. She figured this was good training for anything that might injure her dominant arm. Mercifully she had awoken almost entirely pain-free. The pills the Colonel had given her had truly worked wonders overnight and she had to admit, she was looking forward to being able to learn to climb the sheer rock faces near the waterfall tomorrow. The day passed rather uneventfully, and as the sun set Kerrigan found herself curled up on the back porch on one of their outdoor couches, with Faolan warming her feet with her furry mass. Reilynn stepped out a few minutes later with two glasses of wine and handed one to Kerrigan as Gabriella come out behind her. the girls each sank into chairs and leaned back, look
- Rejected Billionaire
S3 Ch 14: Kerrigan's Family revelations
The next morning Kerrigan arrived on the roof of Vokrizin for their daily training session. Colonel Eli strode over to her but before he could start setting her to drills she decided to interject, “I actually wanted to talk to you.” “Oh?” “two things really. First, do you think tomorrow I could take the girls climbing? Perhaps Conor will join us?” The Colonel glanced to where Parker was sparing with Conor, “I don’t see why that should be a problem.” He looked to Reilynn, “You feel confident in training them?” “Yes, sis.” “Fine, I will requisition the gear. What size shoe do you were, Miss Lokir?” “Umm about 23.5 cm.” “Hmm ok. I will make sure to get you and Conor some. Be warned, they will be tight. These are not meant for walking, they are designed for grip. Don’t be surprised if they feel a size or two smaller than is comfortable. What was the other thing?” “I am returning to Dragon Corporation at the end of the week.” “Ah, I see. I will begin redeploying a detail. We still
