Chapter 569
The train pulled into Aethelgard Station by late afternoon. The sprawling capital buzzed with kinetic energy.
Standing near the VIP arrivals, Felix Grant and Owen Lance scanned the sea of passengers. They immediately spotted her. Mira wore a simple cream sundress, her dark hair pulled back into a sleek ponytail. Devoid of heavy makeup or flashy accessories, she possessed an effortless, magnetic elegance that demanded attention.
Beside them, Dominic West was completely mesmerized.
“Mira! Over here!” Owen called out, his voice cutting through the station’s noise.
Mira turned toward the sound. “Owen. Felix p>
The two tall, impeccably dressed men waved her over. Even in the chaotic crush of the terminal, they radiated authority. Behind them stood a perimeter of broad- shouldered men in tailored suits their security detail.
Elara nudged Mira excitedly. “Your business partners look like movie stars p>
Harvey, however, was staring at the third man in their group, his jaw practically hitting the floor.
“Dominic West?” Harvey choked out. “Mira, you’re friends with Dominic West p>
Mira glanced at him, mildly amused by his reaction. “Yes. Why? Do you know him? You know what he does for a living p>
“Do I know him?” Harvey let out a breathless laugh. “Everyone in my father’s tax bracket knows who he is, but he definitely doesn’t know me. How do you not know what he does p>
He leaned in close, lowering his voice. “He’s the Federal Commissioner p>
Mira’s eyes widened a fraction. For two lifetimes, she had crossed paths with Dominic, treating him as a highly skilled insider. It was the first time she fully grasped the sheer weight of his title. No wonder Owen always said Dominic was too busy to handle street-level squabbles. Having the Federal Commissioner in her corner was an unparalleled strategic advantage.
Behind her, Celine and Elara exchanged stunned glances.
Celine’s chest tightened with a crushing mix of awe and regret. The gap between her and Mira had widened into an unbridgeable Canyon Not so long ago, they had stood on the exact same starting line. When the Mercer family had cut MÃra off, Celine had pitiee her. She had worried about how Mira would afford her textbooks.
But hitting rock bottom had merely stripped away Mira’s restraints.
Celine couldn’t stop reliving the moment Mira had offered her a seat at the table. If she had just possessed the courage to say yes*, her life would look entirely different right now She had prioritized high school exams over a business empire, assuming Mira was just selling trinkets online. Meanwhile, Mira had built a corporate monolith and still crushed the national exams without breaking a sweat.
Elara, on the other hand, just smiled. In her mind, Mira was a god. Walking beside
her and basking in her light was more than enough.
Only Harvey’s eyes burned with fierce, unapologetic ambition.
“Mira, let’s go,” Owen said warmly as they approached the group.
Dominic stepped forward quickly, reaching out to take Mira’s heavy travel bag. But Owen was faster. He smoothly intercepted the bag. slinging it over his own shoulder, and used his free hand to gently guide Mira through the crowd.
Dominic’s hand hovered awkwardly in the air for a second before he let it drop. He
looked up to find Mira watching him with an amused spark in her eyes.
“What?” Dominic asked, tilting his head with a roguish grin. “Forget what I look like p>
Mira laughed. “Not a chance. Let’s get out of here p>
As they headed toward the waiting motorcade, Mira looked back at her friends. “Where are you all heading first p>
Harvey adjusted his jacket, flashing a brilliant smile. “I’m sticking with you p>