Chapter 77
Nora's POV
Benjamin: Nora! I'm at the summit too!
I paused, surprised.
Nora: You're here?
Benjamin: Yeah! DSW sent me for the research training. Which hall are you in?
Nora: Heading to Hall C.
Benjamin: I'll come find you.
I pocketed my phone and followed Vincent and Ruby toward Hall C.
Hall C's media workshop was much smaller than the main venue, but the atmosphere was more professional. About thirty journalists and social workers sat around conference tables, listening to several veteran investigative reporters share their experiences.
I took careful notes, especially about the "Retired Lycan Counseling Center" project. This kind of program barely existed in Blackwood—if we could introduce similar services, it might help a lot of people.
After the workshop ended, I was organizing my notes when several young journalists approached me.
One of them, a man wearing frameless glasses, smiled and said, "Hello, I'm the founder of 'Rust Belt Voices.' I noticed you were interviewing the 'Retired Lycan Counseling Center'—are you interested in lycan issues?"
I nodded. "Yes, I used to work at DSW and dealt with many lycan cases."
"What a coincidence!" His eyes flashed gold. "We've been reporting on related topics too. We'd also like to connect with more like-minded people. Could we exchange contact information?"
That was the gleam that appeared when lycans released certain signals—after dealing with them so many times, I recognized it quickly.
Just as I hesitated whether to give them my contact information, a familiar voice interrupted us.
"Nora!"
Benjamin rushed in from the doorway, his face full of excitement, nearly knocking over a chair.
"Sorry," I said with a slight bow to the journalists. "I have something more important to handle."
I walked toward Benjamin.
---
Julian's POV
I set my phone down on the desk and leaned back in my chair, rubbing a hand over my face. Pepper had finally stopped her relentless campaign of chaos and was now curled up on a stack of budget reports, purring softly.
I glanced at the kitten, then at my phone screen where Nora's last message still glowed.
The concern wasn't much. But it was something.
I refreshed my phone and saw Nora's recent post—those sarcastic words and photos. A slight smile curved my lips.
"This girl is still so direct."
A knock at the door pulled my attention away. Ethan stepped inside, tablet in hand, expression carefully neutral.
"Sir. Your schedule for the rest of the day."
I waved him in. "Go ahead."
"You have the project review meeting at two, budget reconciliation at four. And..." He hesitated. "There's a forum event at noon. Hall B. You're expected to make an appearance."
I frowned. "Which forum?"
"The Rust Belt Revival Summit. Hosted by the state employment office, DSW, and a coalition of media outlets." Ethan scrolled through his notes. "It's mostly ceremonial. Press coverage, networking, that sort of thing."
A pause.
Then I stood, reaching for my jacket. "Clear my afternoon."
Ethan's expression didn't shift, but there was a flicker of something in his eyes. "Should I assume you'll be attending the forum, then?"
"You should."
"And if anyone asks why—"
"Tell them I'm conducting a site visit." I shrugged into my jacket, tone clipped and professional. "Project oversight. Standard procedure."
Ethan made a note on his tablet. "Of course, sir."
I paused at the door, glancing back. "By the way, which hall is Nora in?"
Ethan stopped, then slowly lifted his head. "...Hall C. The media workshop."
"Good." I straightened my cuffs. "I'll be leaving within the hour."
Ethan nodded slowly. "I'll arrange the car."
---
Nora's POV
Benjamin's grin was so wide I thought his face might split in half. Since he'd spotted me, he hadn't stopped talking, bouncing around like an overexcited puppy.
"I can't believe you're at NPR now! That's incredible, Nora." He was genuinely happy for me. "So, uh, lunch? My treat. There's this place called Haitang Pavilion next to B Hall—heard their signature dishes are pretty good."
I hesitated. The morning had been draining enough with Ruby's passive-aggressive digs and the frustration of being rejected from interviews. A quiet lunch away from the noise sounded appealing. "You didn't have to go through the trouble."
"Are you kidding? It's been forever since we hung out." He pulled out his phone, thumbs flying across the screen. "Plus, you'll want to hear all the DSW gossip. You know how it is."
I looked at Benjamin's expectant face. The kid seemed genuinely happy to see me—I couldn't bring myself to turn him down. "Alright. See you at noon."
"Yes!" He pumped his fist like he'd just won the lottery. "Okay, I gotta get back to the workshop, but I'll see you there. Don't bail on me!"
"I won't."
He jogged off, nearly colliding with a conference attendee in the process. I shook my head, smiling despite myself. He hadn't changed a bit.
---
By late morning, the summit had devolved into the usual performative nonsense—panel discussions that said nothing, keynote speeches full of buzzwords, and networking breaks where people handed out business cards like they were playing poker. I'd filled half a notebook with notes that would probably never see the light of day.
I was packing up my recorder when Vincent appeared at my elbow, looking uncomfortable. He glanced over his shoulder, then leaned in slightly. "Hey, Nora. About this afternoon—there's a big interview with some corporate executives. Ruby insists on handling it alone."
I blinked. "Okay?"
"She said you're... not quite ready for that kind of setting yet." His voice dropped, apologetic. "Her words, not mine."
Despite the irritation flickering through me, I kept my expression neutral. "It's fine, Vincent. I understand."
"You sure?" He shifted his weight, clearly uncomfortable. "I just wanted to give you a heads-up before—"
"Before I what?" Ruby's voice cut through the air like a knife. She swept past us, heels clicking against the polished floor, not bothering to slow down. "She's not a child, Vincent. If she wants to make it at NPR, she needs to learn that not every assignment comes with hand-holding."
She disappeared into the crowd before I could respond. Vincent exhaled slowly, rubbing the back of his neck. "Don't take it personally."
"I won't." I slung my bag over my shoulder, forcing my voice to stay even. "Have a good interview."
He hesitated like he wanted to say more, then nodded and walked off. I stood there for a moment, breathing through the frustration. Ruby's hostility wasn't exactly subtle, but being targeted by a colleague on my second day was confusing—I hadn't even met her before I started.
At least I have lunch with Benjamin, I told myself. One less hour of Ruby's bullshit.