Chapter 431

Pearl watched Dylan pack.

"Are you sure you don't want to come?" He asked.

"Yes. Christian has a lot on his plate right now and will need my help planning this wedding. I can't go stateside right now. Not for awhile." Pearl hugged him from behind.

Dylan turned and looked at her, taking her face into his hands.

"I love you." He said, before giving her a gentle kiss.

"I love you, too. Have a safe flight and let me know when you've landed."

"I will." He said. He zipped his bag and walked out. Something about his manner let Pearl know he felt something was off. Dylan was intuitive. He always knew. She sighed and walked to the shower to get ready for the day.

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"Auggie, I don't care. I'm not budging on this contract. I understand the prime minister approved it but this is royal land." Christian said. Erik sat quietly in the back of the office, watching and observing.

"Christian. Listen to me. This is a solar energy implemented venture. It will create jobs and clean energy." Auggie said.

Christian looked over the documents.

"But at what cost?" Erik asked quietly in the background.

"What do you mean?" Auggie asked.

"What cost to the land and to us? I know these people. Landmark LLC. They are a get rich quick company. Have you looked into their background?" Erik asked.

"Yes. They are a fine, upstanding company." Auggie said, rolling his eyes.

"Did you look into John Hawthorne? The company CFO? Well?" Erik asked.

"No. Why?" Auggie asked.

"Do it." Erik said. He walked over to Christian. "Don't make any quick decisions. Let's set up a meeting with their solicitors." Erik said. He bowed as Christian nodded. He looked back at Auggie and walked out.

"Listen, my brother will always see the worst. If that's what you hired him for, then I hope you're happy. This is a lucrative deal for us." Auggie said.

"Get the background on this CFO and set up a meeting for next week." Christian said. Auggie reluctantly agreed, bowed and walked out. Christian smiled. This was exactly why he wanted Erik there.

******************

Erik rounded the stairs past Pearl's office. It has been a few days since he last saw her and when he heard her voice through the door, he jumped on the opportunity and knocked.

"Yes. Come in." She said. He took a deep breath and walked in.

"Oh. Hello." She said. She seemed disappointed.

"I apologize. Were you expecting someone?" He asked sheepishly.

"No, not really. Never mind. What brings you here?" She asked.

He was on the spot and he felt incredibly awkward.

"Yes. I wanted to let you know that I am all moved in. I even found a sublet for my flat. A mutual acquaintance. Miss Sophie Lemaire." He said. He sounded like an idiot. He knew it.

"That's great to hear." Pearl said, looking through some paper work. She obviously didn't want him there or didn't care.

"Anyway, I wanted to let you know that. And to ask when you might be available for a trip to Scotland." She looked up at him.

"Yes. Of course." She said.

"Will we be staying at Balmoral Castle?" He asked.

"No. It is being renovated. Birkhall is available, though." Pearl said. Birkhall was a smaller home on the estate of the castle. It wasn't a small home by any means but it was much more quaint than Balmoral.

"Ah. Alright then." Erik said.

"How does this Friday work for you?" Pearl asked. It was Wednesday. He wasn't expecting the trip so soon but he wasn't going to say no.

"Of course. I will rearrange things and plan on Friday then." He said. There was a silence between them. He bowed and excused himself. He had work to do.