Chapter 20
Amelia
The interviews had gone better than I expected. A few awkward stumbles at first, but once I got in the rhythm of it, everything clicked. I could feel myself getting better-sharper. I started to enjoy it. Started to think maybe I was actually good at this.
Which, of course, was when things got complicated.
My next assignment came in with little warning: coordinate high-profile invitations for the upcoming charity
event. The guest list was stacked with local dignitaries and retired warriors, but one name jumped out at me- and not in a good way.
Elder Thorne.
The man was a ghost in political circles. Respected, feared, almost never seen in public. He hadn’t attended
anything remotely like this before. Inviting him felt like a trap.
And then came the real catch: Jason and I were the only interns left. One of us would be offered a long-term role
after the campaign. One spot. One test. My job? Get Elder Thorne to attend.
I crafted the most respectful, precise, humble invitation I could and sent it off. I knew it was a long shot.
It came back as a rejection the next morning. It looked like a form email-generic, stiff, like no one had even
read what I sent. Just an automatic dismissal. My stomach sank.
Jason found me by the printers, leaned against the wall like he had nothing better to do.
“Hey,” he said with a too-pleasant smile. “Any word from Elder Thorne?”
I kept my eyes on the paper tray. “Yeah. He declined.”
He let out a low whistle. “Oof. That’s rough. I mean, it’s not really surprising, is it? People like him don’t
usually show up for these things. Not unless someone… bigger reaches out.”
I didn’t respond.
He pushed off the wall and stepped closer. “You know, I’m just saying-it sucks this one counts so much. Especially for someone still figuring things out.”
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“I’m doing fine,” I said tightly.
“Sure,” he said. “Of course.”
I turned away from him just as footsteps approached.
“Amelia,” said a voice behind us. Calm. Deep.
Richard.
Jason straightened instantly. I turned.
Richard’s eyes scanned the tension between us before he addressed Jason directly. “That elder’s inclusion was a
mistake.”
Jason blinked. “Sir?”
“Thorne’s political neutrality is well-known. Inviting him to a campaign-adjacent event is an unintentional provocation. He’d have no choice but to decline.”
I frowned. “So… he shouldn’t have been on the list at all?”
“No. He shouldn’t have,” Richard said, voice firm but not unkind. “We risk making it look like we’re forcing
him to take a side. It could backfire.”
The Beta joined us with a tablet and a knowing look. “The invitation’s already out. If we don’t follow up,
lead to assumptions. A visit in person would go a long way.”
it may
“I’ll go,” I said quickly—too quickly. The words were out before I even thought them through, and I blinked, a little surprised at myself. Why had I volunteered so fast? Still, I didn’t take it back.
Richard raised a brow. “You don’t have to do that alone.”
“I sent the invitation,” I said, though the words came slower this time. I hesitated before continuing, my voice
quieter. “Let me fix it.” It wasn’t just about duty anymore-I needed to prove I could take responsibility, even
for mistakes that weren’t entirely mine. I didn’t want to be seen as someone who needed protecting. I wanted to
fix it because I could.
He held my gaze for a long moment, then nodded. “It was a team mistake. I’ll go too.”
The drive to Elder Thorne’s compound was silent. Not tense exactly, but not easy either. I kept glancing at Richard from the corner of my eye, wondering what he was thinking, but he stayed focused on the road, his
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expression unreadable. I sat with my hands folded in my lap, rehearsing what I might say.
+25 BONUS
When we finally pulled through the wrought-iron gates, the place looked exactly how I imagined—grand, imposing, a little bit intimidating. The guards at the front were built like they’d been carved from stone, and
their eyes flicked over us like we were carrying hidden weapons.
The inside of the estate was just as serious. Quiet, cool, and filled with the kind of furniture that whispered money without ever trying too hard. Even the silence had weight to it, like everything in the room expected us
to behave.
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