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She looks up at me, doubt mixed with hope in her eyes. “What kind of plan?”
“One that will end this feud for good,” I say confidently.
Ariana’s worry doesn’t entirely dissipate, but she nods slowly. “Just... be careful.”
“I always am,” I assure her.
Tragan checks his data pad, his expression neutral but eyes flicking to me with urgency. "Sir, you have a call coming through."
I glance at the chrono on the wall. "Right on schedule," I mutter. I turn to Ariana, giving her a reassuring nod. "I need to take this alone."
She hesitates but then nods, her trust in me evident despite the unease in her eyes. "I'll be here," she says softly before leaving the room.
I stride to my desk, tapping the console to accept the call. The holo-projector hums to life, and the head of Axiom Mining appears before me, his face twisted with anger.
"You've got some nerve," he snarls, his voice dripping with contempt.
I lean back in my chair, folding my arms across my chest. "Let's skip the pleasantries, shall we? Your reputation is ruined on Armstrong."
His eyes narrow dangerously. "You think you can just destroy everything I've built?"
"Everything?" I scoff. "You've got nothing left here but a smoldering wreckage of your own making. If we keep fighting, it'll only get worse for you."
He glares at me, his jaw clenched tight. "So what's your grand solution then?"
I smile coldly, leaning forward. "You relocate. Leave Armstrong and establish your business on another planet."
"And why would I do that?" he demands, his voice rising.
"Because I'll help you get it off the ground," I reply evenly. "Use my resources to ensure a smooth transition and successful launch elsewhere."
His eyebrows shoot up in surprise, suspicion clouding his eyes. "Why would you help me after all this?"
"Simple," I say, maintaining my calm demeanor. "I want peace on Armstrong. Your presence here is a constant threat to that."
He studies me closely, weighing his options. The allure of using my money is palpable in his greedy gaze. “What’s the catch?”
“No catch,” I assure him. “Just leave Armstrong and don’t come back.”
His lips curl into a sneer but there’s a hint of intrigue beneath the hostility. “And if I agree?”
“Then you’ll find your new operations funded and supported,” I reply smoothly.
He mulls it over for a moment longer before finally nodding. “Fine,” he grits out. “But if you cross me?—”
“You’ll regret it,” I finish for him, my tone icy.
The call ends abruptly as he disconnects, leaving me staring at the blank holo-screen.
Ariana peeks her head around the doorframe, her curiosity evident. “How did it go?”
I stand and walk over to her, feeling a weight lift off my shoulders. “He agreed to leave here. No more warring businesses, no more Kevin.”
She breathes out a sigh of relief and steps closer, her warmth a balm to my weary soul.
“You’ve secured our safety,” she says softly.
“Yes,” I reply, wrapping an arm around her waist and pulling her close. “And yours most of all.”
