683 [Bonus chapter] Orchards

The evening sun had colored the sky a dull orange and purple. Nate was sitting in the main hall with a glass of whiskey. The mansion was shrouded in the darkness sans a few sconces that burned lazily. He was recalling the argument in the trial held by Dmitri. He couldn't believe that Dmitri had actually asked his daughter to resign. He could have transferred her to a different location, but he asked her to resign? Somehow, Nate wasn't able to come to terms with it. Dmitri, Liam and Nate's kids had played together. There was so much history between them and yet Dmitri gave a final verdict against Paige. A shaky breath left him as he tipped his head up and closed his eyes. 

"Father…" Paige's soft voice broke his reverie. 

Nate turned his face to the right and saw Paige standing near the bar's counter. "Come here," he called her as he patted the sofa beside him.