Chapter 17 - The Temptation
Two weeks later, the roads were cleared, and life in Cannon Beach returned to normal. Julian and Clara were navigating a delicate, beautiful reconciliation. Julian had officially moved his things from the cottage into her cabin. It was cramped, chaotic, and perfect.
Then, the black SUV arrived.
Julian and Clara were walking back from the grocery store when they saw a sleek, bulletproof Cadillac Escalade parked outside her cabin. Two men in sharp suits were standing on the porch.
Julian recognized them immediately. It was the Chairman of the Board and his former COO.
"Julian," the Chairman stepped forward. "Thank God we found you. The patch you gave us stabilized the company, but the investors are panicking. The stock is down twenty percent. We need our visionary back. We need you to return to San Francisco."
Julian stopped in the middle of the road. He looked at the men, then at the black SUV, a symbol of the life he used to rule.
Clara let go of his hand, taking a small step back. She wouldn't issue an ultimatum. She needed to know what he would choose of his own free will.
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"The company is bleeding, Julian," the COO pleaded. "You built Vance Analytics. It's your legacy. You belong at the top."
Julian looked at the Chairman, then turned his gaze to Clara. She was wearing her oversized gray hoodie, holding a paper bag of groceries, looking at him with cautious, guarded hope.
