*** CONOR's POV
When Mr. Dries was done with Conor's new suit measurements, he promised he would have it ready for him in a few days and delivered to Vokrizin. Conor headed to the front of the store to wait for Kerrigan. After they had been in the store for over an hour, Kerrigan emerged. At first, Conor though she was wearing something similar to what she had come in with, but soon realized her new sweeter dress was black and tailor fit and followed her figure beautifully. She had new tan knee high leather boots over black pants and had a long tan coat that matched his suit. She had a new scarf as well with swirls of green that made her eyes pop.
"Wow." Was all he could say.
Carlos chuckled, "I think we did well if that is all he can come up with. The rest, my dear will be ready soon and we can have it sent to you."
"Thank you, Carlos. You and your team were amazing." Kerrigan said
"Other things?" Conor asked skeptically.
"What? You don't expect me to go to a Gala in this?" she asked. "Hmm, you know what might look good?" She nodded to Carlos and then to a mannequin behind Conor. Carlos smiled and handed Conor a tan fedora. "Yes, I think that makes the outfit complete." Kerrigan said.
Conor just shook his head and donned the hat with an overexaggerated bow. "Thank you, Carlos, Mr. Dries. It's been a pleasure as always."
Kerrigan came over to him and hooked her arm in his. He would never quite get use to the tingle that went through him at her touch, but he loved the feel of it. He let her pull him back out into the mall where they began to wander some looking at the various shops. Eventually they came to one store front that was dark. In a bustling mall, an empty store front like that was a jarring sight.
"What use to be here?" Kerrigan asked.
Conor felt her stare and glanced down to see her green eyes looking up at him with sympathy.
"Was this Celia's Herbals?"
"Yes," he choked. "Three years later and it is still vacant. Mom dies and I managed to keep it going for a while after, but my heart wasn't in it. I lost focus. Something get mixed that should never have been in the products. It seems people think the store itself is a curse. The Cochan family never forgave me."
"Now that you have the ability, would you start such a store again?"
Conor looked at the space with a tear in his eye, "Perhaps. It was a good business, and my staff loved working there. Now that I actually know who Celia is... Perhaps with her approval I would. But likely not here."
"Damn right, you would not do it here!" came a piercing call from behind him. That was a voice that he would never forget. Conor turned to find Cynthia Cochan, his ex-mother-in-law with her hands on her hips.
"You think we would ever do business with the likes of you?! You would be lucky to start any business in this town after the crap you pulled!" Cynthia bellowed.
Kerrigan watched the exchange, and Conor guessed she likely was staring open mouthed at this crazy lady from behind her mask.
"I am sorry, Cynthia. You are correct. I would not start a business in this mall. If you will excuse me, we will get going."
"Brantley! Don't you dare turn away from me when I am talking!" Cynthia tried to slap Conor but he caught her wrist inches from his face.
"I am not your family anymore. Your daughter made the abundantly clear. You will not assault me. Am I clear? I will leave now, but if you try something like that again, I promise, you will regret it."
"Are you threatening me?" Cynthia snarled at him, wrenching her hand free. "I don't care what you are claiming to be these days. I don't want do ever do business with you, or your little harlot here ever again."
"Excuse me? Did you just call me-" Kerrigan began.
"Yes, I did! You are probably the reason this bastard couldn't keep his mind focused and choose to leave my daughter to carry all the weight of the family. I wouldn't want anything to do with either of you and you should stay away from my family and our businesses as well!"
Conor looked at her with serious contemplation, "Cynthia, if it is your honest wish that your businesses never again have anything to do with either of us or our companies, then so be it. I will abide by your wise and make sure that from now on, Vokrizin and Eibhlin's business never cross with Cochan companies again. Eibhlin, let's go." Conor reached out and took Kerrigan's hand and let her away from the scene.
Once they were outside, he let go of her hand. "I am sorry about that."
"Why did you let that slide like that? You could have had her arrested, or taught her a lesson!"
Conor looked into Kerrigan's green eyes and replied, "The lesson for Cynthia is to be careful about what you ask for. She declared that her family business is to not have contact or business dealings with me or my company. I took the initiative to include your company in that after what she called you. How do you think the Cochan family might suffer when Vokrizin and Dragon Corporation both publicly blacklist them?"
Kerrigan's eyes flashed with mirth, "I can work with that. I doubt she realizes how many of the shops here rely on Dragon Corporation subsidiaries. Not to mention how many already rely on us for mortgage and partial ownership."
"That's the spirit." Conor chuckled as Parker and Reilynn rejoined them near the car. "I have little desire to destroy them, but I will give them what they ask. Now, lets head back. I believe we have a press conference to prepare for!"