The letter announcing Beckett Hollis's return arrived through official channels, a formal notice from a neighboring city's trade registry informing Verath Hollow's council that Hollis had reestablished a trading operation under a new company name, now seeking formal licensing to resume business within the city's jurisdiction.
"He's not even hiding it," Isla said, reading the notice with obvious disbelief. "Walking back in through the front door, as though his previous exposure and flight never happened."
"The licensing board can refuse him," Mercer said, though uncertainty colored his voice. "Given his documented history."
"Can they, though? Technically, nothing illegal was ever formally proven against Hollis personally, only against Corvin and the broader Hollis Trading operation he cl
