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Rejected Billionaire Part 2 - Chapter 31: Conor Undercover CEO
Thursday morning Conor walked into the AperturePhoto Tower. Peter had managed to secure a six-story building and was renting out two of the floors. The main lobby had a large registration desk with metal detectors and scan in terminals for all employees. Peter had gone all out when designing this place, and the air of professionalism was evident in every detail. Conor wondered how he should approach today’s interaction being that he was not known here. Peter had said the designers kept to themselves. He decided to ask for the new manager and go from there. He had decided to let Parker have the morning off from being his private shadow. After all, Aperture Photo’s security was covered by Colonel Eli’s personnel. Parker nodded as Conor passed the front door. “I will be right next door. there is a good coffee shop I have been meaning to try. Text when you are done.” Conor walked up to the reception desk where a man clacked away at a keyboard. “Janitorial interviews are in the lobby
Rejected Billionaire Part 2 - chapter 32: I need a new Manager
Conor simply strode through the room, taking in the various design projects. On the far end of the floor, there was a small photo studiowheree various designers came over with a bundle of random items, handed them off to the camera guy and started rattling off a long list of requirements they had for the various elements. Conor paused to watch the dynamics when one of the designers came over to him and handed him a bag “This apple needs to be at a certain angle and this coin will need both sides done. Make sure Carlos remembers I need it to pop so use the black background.” “I don’t actually work here,” Conor tried to insist. “Oh, I thought you were one of the new interns. Peter is always sending in new people to see if they have any talent. Well, will you give these to Carlos anyway? I have a massive project to finish.” Conor shrugged. He was here to learn the business so why not? He took the items and waited patiently for the man he assumed was Carlos to finish his current shoot
Rejected Billionaire Part 2- Chapter 33: Interviews
Conor looked into the room where two men were conducting interviews. Overall the process seemed quick, and they shuffled through papers between candidates. Conor glanced at Parker, “Any idea what they are looking for? Its just a janitor position right?” “Yes and no. Mainly they are looking for security clearance. Since everything is under Vokrizin, Colonel Eli has insisted that even janitors be able to pass background and security checks. Also, these people clean up from some high level meetings and discression is paramount. If a new ad leaks or new book idea is shared, Aperture and Vokrizin could be on the hook for major liabilities.” Parker explained. Conor nodded as he realized the magnitude of even the most mundane jobs here. When he saw the middle age gentleman enter, Conor opened the side door and sat next to the interviewers, sliding his badge over to them. One was about to question him, but seeing the gold rim on the card and Parker standing at the door, he chose to close h
Rejected Billionaire Part 2 - Chapter 34: Visiting Mr. Dries
Saturday turned out to be a beautiful, cloudless day. The Gala was set for six pm that evening at the Chamber of Commerce banquet hall, and Kerrigan had sent word that she would not be available until five. Conor agreed with Parker that they would pick the girls up and planned to be there a few minutes early but that still left most of the day free for Conor to stress. This event would be one the most defining moments of his new business and truly represented Vokrizin’s first step into the limelight. Parker finally came to get him after lunch and drive him to visit the barber. Conor had been maintaining his hair regularly, but tonight was of utmost importance. “Ah, Mr. Brantley! I was hoping you would stop in to see me!” came the excited shout of the proprietor of the solan, Anthony Gavin. “Indeed, Anthony. Tonight is my Gala for Celia’s Blessing.” “My invitation arrived last week! I have been waiting with great anticipation for you to grace my shop ever since! Tonight, the world
Rejected Billionaire Part 2 - Chapter 35: Celia's Blessing Gala
Conor paced the banquet hall, his nerves getting the better of him. suddenly a small form darted from the entrance and wrapped around his leg. “Mr. Conor!!” “Hannah? What are you doing here?” Conor asked, bewildered, looking around for a parent. Instead, he spotted her older brother dressed up and looking sharp in a formal suit. Her parents waited patiently at the side. Conor looked back at Hannah and saw that she too was dressed in a black dress. Such clothes were far outside their price range, Conor knew. “Eibhlin helped me get this!” Hannah said excitedly, pointing to her dress. “Eibhlin, hu? Well I am glad you could make it then. Do you have a table?” Hannah beamed as she pointed to a long table along the far wall that was starting to fill with kids and their parents. Conor stared in amazement as he began to recognize many of the kids from the community center. Everyone was staring around wide-eyed as if this was the most impressive thing they had ever been to. Conor wondere
Rejected Billionaire Part 2 - Chapter 36: "Does that feel like a dream?"
To the side Peter and Cara each stood by a microphone. As Kerrigan and Lindsey struck up the tune, Conor was lost in the music as Cara and Peter began a duet. “I’m right here beside you,” Peter began. “And I’ll stay there as long as you let me,” Cara sang. Conor had no idea she had such an amazing voice. Peter for his part harmonized perfectly with his tenor. Conor watched as Kerrigan matched tempo and skill with Lindsey Starlight, and marveled at her ability. The Craftmaster had made her promise to practice and perform for him, and she was delivering in spades. As the song ended, Conor stood and clapped, the rest of the audience following suit. Kerrigan and Lindsey bowed and then hugged each other. Kerrigan took a microphone and said “It has been a dream for a long time to play with Lindsey! What a dream come true. Well As Lindsey said, the community center has touched many lives in strange powerful ways. While you enjoy this meal, a few of the current kids want to put on a small
Rejected Billionaire Season 3 Chapter 1
Rejected Billionaire Part 3 Chapter 1 Kelan Benedict POV A loud bang snapped Kelan out of the dream. A page stuck to his face as he sat up with a yawn. He blinked trying to clear the sleep from his eyes only to find his dreaded nemesis glaring at him. “Brought you a coffee,” Natalie quipped, setting a paper cup in front of him. “It’s not poison is it?” Kelan asked wearily. He wouldn’t put it past the woman to try something like that. “Not this time. You have a meeting on the 6th floor with the cosmetics division that started at 7:30.” “What time is it?” he asked, swiping the page off his face and running his fingers through his hair trying to tame the cowlick at the back of his head. “7:45. They sent me to find you when didn’t show up on time,” Natalie said with a smirk. “Shit. Woman, why didn’t you find me sooner?” Kelan growled, jumping to his feet and trying to tug the wrinkles out of his suit. “I am not your aid, remember? I work for Miss Lokir, even if she is not here.”
Rejected Billionaire S3 Chapter 2: Dragon Corporation
Conor sat on his bed staring at the ring. He had almost forgotten about it when the letter had come from Mr. Nuri all those months ago. A Year? Longer? As he considered he realized it would be two years this fall since Mr. Nuri had first knocked on his door! He swirled the dragon crest between his fingers before flipping it over and glancing at the inside band. Tiny letters were engraved there in two rows. Sovereign is the Dragon Blessed Conor scratched his head, wondering about the words. He wondered if he might ask Mr. Nuri or even Johnathan about it. He tried to slide the ring on his right hand, thinking it might fit his pinky, but ended up having to move it to his right middle finger to get it to come close to fitting. Suddenly it glowed, rays of red, blue, and green emanating from its surface. The dragon began to move, wings unfurrowing, the dark metal of the tail coming to life and sweeping around his finger. The light subsided and Conor looked in amazement and wonder as the
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- 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
