She paused briefly. "So we reached out to your official guild contact... and I was informed you were here."

Every guild, after all, was still a business, and naturally had official communication channels that was posted on the DSB Website.

And here in Clustervayne’s guild, Aliyah had been assigned to handle such calls.

Ethan leaned back. "I see...So what is this visit about? I assumed any discussion concerning airplanes were being handled with Lucy."

Audrey gave a smile. "I didn’t come for that, but I’ll cut straight to the point."

There was a sudden shift in the air.

"Mr. Stark," she continued, "I admire your innovations. And in the new Gritnia to come, I would like you and your company to remain... domiciled here."

Ethan’s brows drew together. "New Gritnia?"

Audrey’s smile widened. "I told you the last time, Mr. Stark... a change is coming. And I will be the one to lead it. Everything needed is already in place."

She tilted her head slightly.

"And that is why I am here, to offer you a chance to be part of that change."

Ethan let out a breath. "So... the cat’s finally out of the bag."

Audrey laughed a bit, then spoke seriously again. "I am not mincing my words. You will either be part of it... or everything you have built.."

Her eyes turned briefly around the room.

"...including Stark Industries, will be taken from you. And its future directed by those who seek change."

There was a short silence between them.

"So," she finished, "what say you?"

Ethan let out a short, humorless laugh. "Lady Audrey...I believe I already gave you my answer the last time we spoke."

His eyes locked onto hers.

"But now you’ve just threatened to take the very thing my name stands on. So I’ll ask you respectfully... Please leave my study."

There was no fear in his eyes as he stared into Audrey’s.

Lady Desdemona held his gaze for a moment, then smiled. Slowly, she rose to her feet, and without another word, turned and walked out, Esmeray following behind her.

Ethan remained seated for a moment after she left. Then he exhaled. "...Tch."

He stood up and headed downstairs. When he reached the lounge, Aliyah and Wilson looked up as he approached.

"I suggest you both leave the guild today," he said. "Tell the crewmen as well."

Wilson frowned immediately. "What happened?"

His eyes narrowed slightly. "Does this have anything to do with Lady Audrey?"

Ethan nodded. "I’ve got a bad feeling," he said plainly. "And I’m not risking the safety of my people."

He paused briefly. "I’ll also send Bettie a text."

Aliyah and Wilson exchanged a glance, then nodded. Ethan returned the nod and left the guild.

—

There was silence inside the moving car for a while before Esmeray finally spoke. "My lady... is there a special reason for wanting Mr. Stark involved in all of this?"

Lady Audrey smiled a bit. "Oh yes, Esmeray...my dear."

She leaned back slightly, crossing one leg over the other. "You see... for this country to be reborn, it must be bathed in fire. And from those ashes... we shall rebuild."

There was a pause before she added. "But not everything needs to burn. What I believe... is that Mr. Stark simply needs a little persuasion."

Then she smiled. "And an eye-opening to reality."

She then turned towards Esmeray who drove. "Inform Alistair. Tell him to continue as planned."

Esmeray answered. "Yes, my lady."

⸻

A few hours later...

Ethan stood at the front doors of House Arcorys and knocked.

A few seconds later, the door opened and Jeremy stood at the doorway.

Ethan looked at him, and for a few seconds the silence stretched awkwardly as he had expected Jeremy to simply step aside and let him in.

"You’re still standing in my way?"

"Oh, sorry," Jeremy said, as though coming back to himself, before stepping aside for him to enter.

Ethan exhaled slowly, then asked, "Is Hayley around?"

Jeremy hesitated. "No. She’s not around."

Ethan stared at him for a second, then sighed. "Come on, Jeremy. I can hear your heartbeat. It spiked the moment you said that."

Jeremy grimaced. "Well—she told me to say she wasn’t around."

Ethan rubbed his forehead. "I’m going in."

Jeremy sighed . "Yeah... great. She’s going to kill me."

Ethan walked past him and continued on his way upstairs.

Jeremy Arcorys was one of the many cousins who lived here in the main house, forming as part of the pack.

Ethan stopped in front of Hayley’s door and knocked, but there was no response.

He knocked again. "Hayley. I know you’re in there. I can literally feel your body heat through the door."

A second later, the door swung open and Hayley infront of him with a stern look on her face. "Did Jeremy not tell you I wasn’t inside?"

Ethan answered. "He did."

"Then go." She said, now crossing her arms.

Ethan sighed. "Just hear me out, will you?"

She stared at him for a moment, then turned and walked back into the room.

Ethan stepped in after her. "I didn’t see you at the guild today."

"I don’t feel like coming anymore." She quickly responded.

"...Fair." Ethan nodded slowly, and then the silence stretched on for a while.

Hayley gestured with her hands slightly in exasperation, waiting for him to get on with why he came here.

"...Okay." He began, "This—this isn’t how I planned this. On my way here... I thought I knew exactly what I was going to say."

He gave a short, frustrated laugh. "But now...the words just aren’t there anymore."

"How about you start with what the fuck that was at the hotel? she snapped.

Ethan was caught off guard. "...Um—"

He sighed, rubbing the back of his neck. "I don’t know."

Hayley stared at him. Then let out a disbelieving laugh. "There’s no way you don’t know."

She stepped closer, her frustration rising. "How do you just leave a woman like that, Ethan?"

He said nothing.

"That was—" she stopped herself, exhaling sharply, then continued anyway. "Do you even realize how messed up that was? One second you’re—"

She gestured vaguely, clearly annoyed at even having to say it out loud.

"And then the next second you just—poof—gone. "

Ethan remained quiet.

"And then we get back" she continued, pacing a little now. "You say nothing, no message for a whole day"