Yesterday, 06:33 PM
Adrian moved through the necessities of the business smooth and practiced. A word here to a manager about staffing rotations. A brief exchange there over supply orders and a late arrival that would need discreet handling. Between those moments, he answered messages tied to ventures beyond the Radiance.
One message, buried beneath the rest, drew his attention for not having responded to it yet. It was from Natalie about Belizna.
Her update was efficient, as always. Progress steady. Funds being put to good use. His investment was doing exactly what it was meant to do, but he had not seen the place himself since the night she had walked him through the property.
I wouldn’t mind seeing all the improvements myself. When’s a good time?
He sent the reply without fanfare, attaching several windows in his schedule. The confirmation had barely left his screen when another notification surfaced, sharp and immediate.
Privilege Thrice is here.
Adrian’s brows lifted a fraction as his gaze rose, already scanning the room with intent. So. Jessika was here.
He had been present the night of her announcement. Their conversation then had been brief and uncomfortable, and he had left unconvinced. The woman had struggled to assemble two coherent thoughts without leaning on rehearsed charm, and yet she now carried a title that turned the world her direction.
He had never taken the Ascendancy for one that mistook superficiality for substance. And yet here she was, elevated into the Sphere, and Adrian found himself wondering what had truly been traded to place her there.
Still, power was power, no matter how it arrived.
He did not relish the idea of repeating that strained exchange from the masquerade, but curiosity pressed in where reluctance lingered. Titles were one thing, but influence was another. He wanted to see how she moved now, how others adjusted around her, and whether the woman herself understood what she held.
One message, buried beneath the rest, drew his attention for not having responded to it yet. It was from Natalie about Belizna.
Her update was efficient, as always. Progress steady. Funds being put to good use. His investment was doing exactly what it was meant to do, but he had not seen the place himself since the night she had walked him through the property.
I wouldn’t mind seeing all the improvements myself. When’s a good time?
He sent the reply without fanfare, attaching several windows in his schedule. The confirmation had barely left his screen when another notification surfaced, sharp and immediate.
Privilege Thrice is here.
Adrian’s brows lifted a fraction as his gaze rose, already scanning the room with intent. So. Jessika was here.
He had been present the night of her announcement. Their conversation then had been brief and uncomfortable, and he had left unconvinced. The woman had struggled to assemble two coherent thoughts without leaning on rehearsed charm, and yet she now carried a title that turned the world her direction.
He had never taken the Ascendancy for one that mistook superficiality for substance. And yet here she was, elevated into the Sphere, and Adrian found himself wondering what had truly been traded to place her there.
Still, power was power, no matter how it arrived.
He did not relish the idea of repeating that strained exchange from the masquerade, but curiosity pressed in where reluctance lingered. Titles were one thing, but influence was another. He wanted to see how she moved now, how others adjusted around her, and whether the woman herself understood what she held.