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2024-10-29 19:42:56Conor hoped the next few months of winter would pass uneventfully as people kept inside to avoid the bitter cold. Yuri came by one afternoon from NewAge all excited about the new system they were preparing to launch and even set up the prototype console at Conor’s new house. When he saw the large blank wall, Yuri insisted on taking him shopping for a TV with his latest bonus check from NewAge.
“Conor, you are the one who enabled me and my mom to have these amazing jobs. Besides, I want someone to play my newest game with. It’s going to be a huge hit, but obviously, I cannot share it with anyone outside NewAge. Thankfully, you are one of the owners! So, let me do this!”
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Drew ArcheronDear readers, I hope you are enjoying the tale so far! We are about to make a big shift in the story as winter in Jinstain, Bayan Province takes the back burner. I hope you enjoy a period of focusing on some of our other cast members and start to see some of them in a new light. Please remember the best ways to show your appreciation for this novel is to leave a quick review, share the link with friends, and if you really love the book, consider leaving a gem! Thank you all for reading this far and I look forward to continuing this tale with you!
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Rejected Billionaire 76: Winter In Velyki
Northern Targu Province, City of Velyki - Home of Dragon Corporation and Temple of Abraxas : Kerrigan Lokir's POV Kerrigan hated winter. The three months of deep cold drug by slowly and the snow made travel outside of Velyki challenging, if not impossible. The local mayor did a decent job of keeping the roads in town clear and salted, but any of the routes out of town became very hazardous to travel. The trains were about the only thing that could get in these days, and it was increasingly rare for them to have a passenger car. Most of their cargo space was reserved for bringing in the essential goods to keep the city alive. Even the airport shut down for most of the winter
Rejected Billionaire 77: Kelan's cold reception
Kerrigan was pleased to see Kelan blanch at her words. He was likely not use to women standing up to him. She watched as he collected himself and slid into a chair before her desk. Natalie sat into her usual spot behind a smaller desk to the right of Kerrigan’s desk. “Now, Mr. Benedict. What brings you to Dragon Corporation?” “Kerri, I thought we could get lunch. If today is not good then I suppose I can schedule something. After all, I will be here for the next few months.”
Rejected Billionaire 78: Spice Merchants Guild comes to Dragon Corporation
Down in the conference room, five pompous men sat around a long table. Kerrigan walked in and greeted her VP, Martin Reeves. “Mr. Reeves, it is good to see you again. Shall we?” Martin Reeves bowed to Kerrigan and held out her chair, before taking his own seat. Martin addressed the room, “Gentlemen, what brings us all here today?” &nbs
Rejected Billionaire 79: Bayan Rail causing issues for Dragon Corporation
Kerrigan’s meeting with the mayor was uneventful. Thankfully, she got a good meal out of it. She had to hand it to the mayor. He may be a corrupt politician, but at least he treated her to good meals whenever he wanted something, or the city needed some kind of support. This time he yammered on about the need for big corporations to be more involved in charity events and how nice it would be to see Dragon Corporation in the news more aiding the lower class. She didn’t disagree, but she was also very wary of giving money to any group if she didn’t know exactly where it was going to be used. After lunch, Natalie rode with her back to Dragon Corporation for her meeting with Velyki Cosmetics. “
Rejected Billionaire 80: Visit with the Prima
Kelan Benedict's POV Kelan Benedict knocked on the office door. “Come in,” came the slimy voice of Prima Zadok. Kelan slinked into the room and plopped himself down in a chair across from the Prima. “Hello, Prima.”
Rejected Billionaire 81: Training with Breanne
Kerrigan ended her day as she ended all days, returning to her quarter’s outside the Hall of Abraxas, in the chambers of the Kendov. She knew Zadok had to have debated for months over giving her these suites, but in the end, he had little choice once Abraxas’s pendant was noticed around her neck. He had done his best to downplay it of course. He had claimed she was to be a sacrificial virgin to Abraxas as his new priestess after the earthquake. Zadok had a way of spinning everything to be degrading, making the tale about the earthquake as heroic for him as possible, and crediting her with saving Abraxas’s pendant. At least his tales gave her some well deserved lavish rooms. When she opened the doors, a solum face greeted her.
Rejected Billionaire 82: Consulting with a Dragon.
When morning broke, Kerrigan sat at her private desk in her room staring at notes from the previous day. ‘Any suggestions?’ she asked to the room. Silence gripped the chill air before Abasax allowed his power to thrum through the room. As his presence settled around her, she felt his mental brush against her mind. ‘It seems the flow of the world will hinge soon on Bayan Rail. Many of our company assets depend on this for their lifeblood. I did not get the impression that Benedict was in direct control of the line. Perhaps it is time we seek to fold it into dragon Corporation.’
Rejected Billionaire 83: Flowers for Katie
Kerrigan was greeted at the entrance to Dragon Corporation by Natalie and handed her normal morning roster. “Today is not as busy, but you still have a full schedule. The drones from marketing want you to approve a new ad campaign for Pinon Province. I have a phone conference scheduled for you with a Mr. Nuri at Dreadnaught Law firm at 11. There is a women’s axillary conference at 12:30 that would like you to stop in. They promised to feed you lunch, and we earn a 20,000 dragon fee for you to show your face there.” “Am I expected to speak? You didn’t tell me I had to speak today!” Kerrigan said as they stepped into the elevator. Latest Chapter
- Rejected Billionaire
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
- Rejected Billionaire
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
- Rejected Billionaire
