The journey back from the front lines of the financial war felt short and full of anxiety. I had won the market battle that nearly brought down the Syndicate, but the victory left a gaping wound in the organizational structure. Now, it was time to ensure 'home' remained intact.
I landed in New York, heading straight to Valerian. Lianna was waiting for me in the lobby, no longer pretending professionalism, but hugging me with bone-crushing strength. That embrace felt more real than all the financial victories I'd achieved.
"You're back," she whispered into my shoulder, her voice filled with relief.
"I'm back," I replied, inhaling her perfume, the vanilla scent I'd missed for so long. "I sorted out the chaos. Elara managed to escape, but we destroyed the core of the North's support. Is Va
