Empire 195

Ethan waits quietly in the airport VIP lounge, distracted by memories of Ramona’s recent glance even as he reviews a critical project report. The Jordon Group has secured a major contract on a remote border project, a venture with both commercial and humanitarian significance involving two governments and symbolizing cooperation. Ethan is to officially launch this important initiative, accompanied by a public interest representative who will document the process and conduct interviews.

Unexpectedly, the representative turns out to be Nadia Shepard, a woman from a powerful family with a complex past involving Ethan. Despite their history and her recent recovery from a suicide attempt, Nadia approaches the task with professionalism, making it clear she intends to focus solely on the work. Ethan remains guarded and cautious, wary of how their past might affect the present situation, but acknowledges the importance of the project over personal feelings.

Ash, Ethan’s associate, is tense, aware of the delicate balance needed to keep Nadia’s past from causing scandal. Nadia has recently reinvented herself as a charity livestream advocate, gaining public support and backing from her influential family. Her presence on this national platform adds layers of complexity to Ethan’s mission, but he cannot afford to let personal issues interfere with the project’s success.

The atmosphere between Ethan and Nadia is charged with unspoken tension, yet both maintain a professional front. Nadia sets up her equipment and begins a brief interview, focusing strictly on the project. Meanwhile, far away, Ramona receives a flurry of messages, hinting at unfolding developments beyond the airport scene.

Inside the exclusive VIP lounge at the airport, Ethan sat quietly, waiting for someone important. His head was bowed over a project report, scrolling through the details he needed to discuss, but his thoughts kept wandering back to the way Ramona had looked at him just before she left. The memory lingered, distracting him despite the urgency of his work.

Glancing up, he set his phone down and asked Ash, who was seated beside him, “What time is it?”

Ash checked his watch carefully. “It’s nine o’clock.”

Ethan’s eyes held a subtle question, and Ash, understanding immediately, added, “They should be here any minute now.”

This time, the Jordon Group had secured a project of immense national significance—a contract that had taken three years of relentless effort to win. The site was located on the remote southwestern border, where the mountain ranges of two countries converged. Both governments were investing heavily, making it a flagship initiative that the Jordon Group had fought tooth and nail to secure.

Ethan’s business trip was set to mark the official launch of this monumental project.

But this endeavor was more than just a commercial venture. It carried a strong humanitarian mission, too. Each country was sending a “public interest representative” to document the launch and symbolize their friendship—a gesture of cooperation aimed at improving living standards in the mountainous region.

The notification about the representative had arrived at the last minute. The higher-ups had already finalized the appointment, selecting someone who happened to be in Havencrest City and would accompany Ethan on the trip, recording everything from departure onward. ʀᴇᴀᴅ ʟᴀᴛᴇsᴛ ᴄʜᴀᴘᴛᴇʀs ᴀᴛ Find_Novel(.)net

Along the way, there would also be an interview intended for promotional material for the Jordon Group.

Initially, Ethan had wanted Ash to handle the pickup, but the representative’s assistant politely declined, merely confirming the time and place and promising to arrive promptly.

Just as Ash finished speaking, the door to the VIP lounge swung open.

Nadia walked in, accompanied by a staff member.

The moment Ethan’s eyes landed on her, a flicker of surprise flashed across his face, quickly replaced by his usual calm, unreadable expression. He hadn’t anticipated that the public interest representative would be Nadia. Yet, given the Shepard family’s influence and history, landing such a role was hardly surprising. Ethan recalled that Nadia’s grandfather had once been sent alone to Fresnia Country as a development envoy—a position he held for ten years.

Since Fresnia was a key participant in this project and the initiative aimed to foster goodwill, it made perfect sense for someone from the Shepard family to represent them.

“Mr. Jordon, as the public interest representative for this project, I look forward to working with you,” Nadia said, breaking the silence as she extended her hand. Her tone was strictly professional, giving away no hint of any personal history between them.

Ethan regarded her coolly, deliberately not taking her hand. After a long pause, he finally spoke. “Miss Shepard, you’ve only just recovered. This trip will be demanding. I’m not sure you’re ready for it.”

Nadia smiled faintly. “I know what you’re worried about, but don’t be. I’m here to do the job. I already said everything that needed to be said when you visited me at the hospital. Let’s not let our past interfere with this.”

Ash stood nearby, his nerves taut and stretched thin.

After Nadia’s suicide attempt and subsequent hospitalization, Ethan had kept his distance to avoid any appearance of impropriety. But the Shepard family—and Nadia herself—were not easy to ignore. They were old money, with impeccable reputations, and Nadia had even spent some time in the entertainment industry.

If Ash hadn’t, under Zadkiel’s instructions, suppressed every trending topic before it could explode, Ethan and Nadia’s past would have been all over the news, dragging the Jordon Group into a scandal.

Ethan had no wish to get involved in Nadia’s affairs, so Ash kept a discreet watch on her instead.

Recently, Nadia had used her renewed popularity to rebrand herself as a livestreaming advocate for charity. Within just a few days, she became a recognizable figure in the nonprofit world.

With her career revived, the Shepard family gave her their full support. And now, her charity work had reached a national platform.

Ash had thought Nadia had finally moved on… but here she was again—life carving its own unpredictable path, impossible to control or foresee.

Ethan studied Nadia for a long moment, his expression darkening, the atmosphere between them growing heavy with tension. Ash’s heart beat faster, half-expecting Ethan to call off the entire arrangement.

But this was more than just a business contract; it was a matter of national importance. No matter how much Ethan wanted to refuse, he couldn’t abandon such a huge responsibility.

Nadia seemed to understand this, too. With calm professionalism, she withdrew her hand and took a seat across from him.

She wore a khaki utility jumpsuit, her long hair pulled back into a neat ponytail. Her makeup was minimal and understated—far removed from the glamorous image she usually projected. She looked sharp, approachable, and ready to get down to work.

“I’m only here to document the project, Mr. Jordon. If my presence is a problem, I’ll stay out of your way. I hope we can cooperate smoothly,” she said.

“You’re overstating it, Miss Shepard,” Ethan replied. “The project comes first; personal feelings don’t matter. I expect you to focus on your job, as you said.”

He deliberately emphasized her surname, and although it made Nadia’s chest tighten, she maintained a composed, pleasant expression.

She glanced at her watch, then pulled out a tripod and began setting up her camera.

“We still have some time before departure. May I conduct a brief interview with you about the project, Mr. Jordon?”

Ethan didn’t refuse, so Nadia got right to work. Her questions were professional and efficient, strictly business. She truly seemed, as she claimed, to be here only for the job.

Meanwhile, far away, Ramona had just arrived home when her phone started buzzing incessantly with back-to-back messages.

The chapter closes on a note of restrained professionalism and lingering tension, as Ethan and Nadia confront the complex intersection of their past and present roles. Despite the emotional undercurrents hinted at through their cautious interactions, both characters prioritize the monumental project ahead, embodying a shared commitment to duty that tempers personal history. The weight of national significance and humanitarian purpose anchors their uneasy alliance, suggesting that the path forward will demand resilience and focus beyond personal grievances.

At the same time, the narrative subtly underscores the unpredictability of life and relationships, as seen in the unexpected convergence of Ethan and Nadia’s worlds once more. Their poised facades and mutual resolve mask deeper emotions and unresolved issues, creating a charged atmosphere ripe with unspoken questions. Yet, amid the professional veneer, the story hints at the enduring impact of past choices, reminding us that even the most carefully guarded boundaries can be tested when fate intervenes.

The next chapter promises to delve deeper into the fragile dynamics between Ethan and Nadia as they embark on this high-stakes journey together. Their shared past, marked by pain and unresolved tension, will inevitably cast a shadow over the mission, challenging their ability to maintain professionalism. As they navigate the complexities of the project and their personal history, readers can expect a delicate interplay of emotions simmering beneath the surface, threatening to erupt at unexpected moments.

At the same time, the broader implications of the project’s success or failure loom large, with national interests and humanitarian goals intertwined. Ethan’s internal struggle between duty and personal boundaries will be put to the test, while Nadia’s determination to prove herself despite recent hardships adds another layer of complexity. Meanwhile, the mysterious flurry of messages Ramona receives hints at emerging developments that could further complicate the situation, setting the stage for unforeseen conflicts and revelations. The tension is palpable, and every interaction carries the weight of what’s at stake—not just for the characters, but for the future they are trying to shape.