Ella’s POV Three days passed. Three days of routine, of taking care of Lucien, of spending time with my family and tending to my duties. Three days of nothing–in regards to the crystal, that is. I spent every waking moment of my days being as mindful as possible; I looked out for any irregularities, anything that might hint to the crystal having more of an influence in my life than I once thought. Nothing came of it. Over those three days, the crystal remained dormant. There was no warmth, no pulse, no unexpected visits to the spirit realm. I didn’t mindlink Alexander again, and for all intents and purposes, our mate bond had gone cold once more. I began to lose hope. Maybe whatever had happened was just a fluke, and nothing more. Maybe the voice I had heard in the spirit realm wasn’t really there; hell, maybe the whole “visit” was really just a dream. Still, I tried not to lose hope entirely. I held onto that thread, refusing to let go completely until it snapped. If there was any chance at fixing my mate bond or returning to the spirit realm or… well, literally anything else, then I wasn’t going to give up entirely until all chances really were lost. However, on the fourth day, my efforts had to take the back burner. Alexander had informed me that he chose to hire Jane for the advisor position, and she was supposed to show up for a meeting today. Alexander wanted me to be there, as Jane had promised to help us with our campaign in taking back Stormhollow. Jane arrived bright and early, showing up at the door a full fifteen minutes before our appointment. She strode into the house with a smile and a basket of brightly colored oranges with a bow on top. “I brought these for you,” she said, beaming as she handed me the basket of fruit. “I hope you enjoy them.” My brows lifted as I took the gift. “Jane, you didn’t have to go to all this trouble…” “It was no trouble at all.” She waved her hand dismissively. “Besides, a little fruit is the least I can do after the company I used to keep.” I recalled all too well the way Sophia and Jane and all of Sophia’s other “friends” used to treat me, but I shoved the memories down. Sophia was no longer a threat, and Jane really did seem lovely; Alexander wouldn’t have hired her otherwise. I believed her story, and it seemed she had turned a new leaf since Sophia had left her life. noveldramaWe headed into the conference room, where Alexander was already waiting, shuffling papers around and pouring coffee. When we entered, he shook Jane’s hand, exclaimed over the oranges, and we all sat. “So,” Jane said, spreading out some files in front of her, “I was going over your case last night, and I think I have a plan prepared. It’s just a start, but I think it’s a good one,” She handed out the papers, on which she’d prepared rather detailed infographics and paragraphs of text. It seemed that Jane had spared no effort in preparing for today’s meeting; the plan involved projected approval ratings, a plethora of different outcomes, and a list of ideas to start with. +25 Bonus “What’s this?” I asked, pointing at one of the bullet points. “Volunteering efforts.” “Ah. That’s actually what I wanted to start with.” Jane laced her fingers together atop the conference table.” After the gala, public sentiments remain the same–many believe that your charity attempt was a one–off occurrence. A thinly veiled method of garnering attention and positive press in the wake of Brian Eden’s recent campaign.” My jaw ticked. I glanced at Alexander, whose expression was much the same. But Jane’s smile remained firmly in place. “Therefore,” she went on, “I think it would be prudent to engage in more volunteering activities; once a week, at least, and preferably as under the radar as possible.‘ “Under the radar?” Alexander asked. >> Jane nodded. “You don’t want to seem like you’re seeking attention; rather, any attention you receive should be purely coincidental. Therefore, I recommend applying for various volunteering opportunities under pseudonyms. Dress plainly, and do it alone; no marketing team, no cameras, no fancy events.” I looked at Alexander again. “She has a point.” Alexander nodded. “I agree. Maybe we were a bit too ostentatious with the charity gala.” CedellaCedella is a passionate storyteller known for her bold romantic and spicy novels that keep readers hooked from the very first chapter. With a flair for crafting emotionally intense plots and unforgettable characters, she blends love, desire, and drama into every story she writes. Cedella’s storytelling style is immersive and addictive—perfect for fans of heated romances and heart-pounding twists.