Joshua didn't extend his hand and Dawn felt awkward. She withdrew her hand and gestured to him to sit on the chair. The man was in an attacking mood with a very serious demeanor. She looked at Doug, who appeared joyful. He gave her an unusual smile, which she knew what it meant. But she was up for whatever challenge or whatever theory or threat Joshua was going to throw at her. 

"Joshua Barker is here to discuss the 'Go Green' project," said Doug.

​​

Dawn crossed her hand across her chest and sat back in the chair. "I figured that out," she said with a scoff. 

Her expression angered Joshua all the more. "The Wyatt Company has been giving us funds for the 'Go Green' project for a long time ever since Starfish Refineries commenced its operations," said Joshua directly. He was in no mood to talk to Dawn. After Doug had informed him that the new Managing Director who was just as old as his college going kid was now at the helms of affairs and controlling the money flow, he was furious. "Why have you stopped funding us? You can't stop funding us, Mrs. Silver!" 

Dawn looked at Doug and said, "Did you not tell him the reason as to why we stopped?" 

Doug shifted in his chair. "Of course I did!"

She darted her gaze at Joshua and said, "You know the reason already, then why are you asking me?" 

Joshua was taken aback. "So what if the refinery is closed? The area around it is an eco-sensitive place. You have to take responsibility to develop it." 

Dawn poked her tongue in her cheek. "I am sorry but we are not in a capacity to extend that kindness anymore. As you can see that our Company is already bleeding and we have incurred losses, I would rather invest in something lucrative than spend on a project, which we are not directly associated with also." 

Joshua's face became red with anger. "How dare you?" he pounded the table. "I will take this matter with the senators in the party. The mayor is not going to take this matter lightly. If you do not reinstate the flow of money, you will suffer consequences." 

Doug was so happy on the inside that he grinned. Mentally he said, 'See Dawn. How easily can I defeat you?' 

Dawn didn't move an inch when Joshua pounded the table. Though she felt like picking him up and throwing out of the door physically, which she was so capable of, she gave him a nonchalant expression. "You can do whatever you like, Mr. Barker, but my Company will not reinstate the funding." 

Doug and Joshua were both surprised at her stubbornness. Wasn't this girl scared even a little bit? 

"You are going to suffer for this insolence, Dawn Silver!" Joshua threatened her. 

Dawn leaned forward. "Be careful, Mr. Barker. I hope that you don't suffer because of your invalid insistence." Her green eyes were cold. 

Joshua got up and strode out of the office and Doug followed him after giving Dawn a furious look. Once he had escorted Joshua out of the building, he came back to meet Dawn in order to give her a warning. He opened the door very rudely but found that she was speaking with someone on the phone. She looked up at him, got up from the chair and walked to the window that overlooked North Avenue. Doug knew that she wouldn't talk to him. This was such an insult and he promised himself to avenge it. The girl was riding high because of Lily Wyatt's encouragement. He had to tackle her. He opened the door and marched out. 

---

A week later, the office was moved to the new location. The move was so effortless because Daryn had taken care of everything. The happiest person was Lily Wyatt. Everything was getting overhauled. Although 'The Sapphire' was the building that Luke had bought, it was better to let it go. 

The new building, 'Luna's Cove', was aristocratic. The architect who had created its plan built it like a castle. There were four towers on four corners that enhanced the decoration of the elegant building. What people didn't know was that the towers also acted as defensive places. Mullioned windows along with regular glass windows scattered across the walls in asymmetric patterns in order to give it the old charm. The main entrance was an enormous, heavily crafted mahogany door, which was attached to the main road with a bridge under which a small canal flowed. All around the building were well kept fragrant flowers and bushes in neat rows that surrounded it. The office was the alpha's present to his Luna—hence named Luna's cove. 

Dawn couldn't help admiring it. Her husband's office was only a block away. So now Dawn was under his watchful eyes. Everything happened very fast. Dawn didn't find time to see the building entirely but she knew that the employees would love the uplift and there would be some lightness in the otherwise strained atmosphere. The entire shifting would take months. 

Her office was the most comfortable place. It resembled quite like her old office, but what she liked was the fact that there was a small room attached to her office where she could lie down to rest. 

Her pregnancy was almost five months now. She had gone for her regular checkups and everything was fine. 

It was in the fourth week of her office when she got a letter from the mayor, which asked for her reasons to stop funding the 'Go Green' project. It also said that if sufficient explanation weren't given, she would face lawsuit and damages. 

Dawn pinched the bridge of her nose with her thumb and forefinger as she gave the letter to David. 

"This was expected, Dawn," he replied after reading it. "What reply do you want to send?" 

"Tell him that I would like to meet him in the office. Also, I don't want Doug Langston to go with us." 

"Okay," he nodded and re-read the letter. 

Dawn changed the topic. "Did you talk to Cecilia?" 

A muscle feathered in David's jaw. "She is very upset all the time. It's not that she is angry with me, she is angry with her mother, with Lily..."

"I think it is high time you take her to your home and introduce her to Rose." 

David nodded. "I really want to give that child the future she deserves. She had grown up in a lot of toxicity and that needs to be purged." 

"True. Then start acting on your plan. If Cecilia is going to study well, who knows that she might even work here in the future with Cole?" 

David gave a tight smile. "It's a good idea Dawn. I really appreciate it." He would love it if Dawn accepted his daughter. Cecilia was indeed a tormented child. 

Dawn smiled and they got back to work. The Company needed another month to consolidate its position. Most businesses that were not making profits were strictly analyzed. There was a lot to be done. The business was in shambles. 

David received the reply from the Mayor's office. They were supposed to meet him a day later. That day when she went back home, she left two hours earlier in order to check the eco-sensitive area. The place was lush green with a variety of trees, small creeks and wildlife. On going further inside, she found marshy land, which ended on the banks of River Lifye. 

Suddenly she felt his presence. 'Quetz!'