Claire: Was he... mocking her for daydreaming? Kenneth chuckled even harder from the side. After breakfast, Kenneth drove them to the airport. Their destination? Smokefall. Julian and Claire took a flight to Smokefall Airport, then hopped into a car heading for the resort. The resort was nestled deep in the Smokefall mountains, surrounded by steep peaks and thick forests. They’d somehow carved out a high-end, fairy-tale-like retreat in a place you could barely call accessible. With a total investment north of 23 billion, Julian's firm held 60%, while Gary’s company accounted for the remaining 40%. Claire hadn’t been to Smokefall much, but her impression of the place was all blue skies, fresh air, and breathtaking views. As the car left the city behind, the skyline

