Chapter 16: Foundations of Power
The echoes of Nathan's departure were still fresh, his footsteps fading into nothingness—just like his presence in our lives. The moment he was gone, an eruption of cheers burst from the workers around me. Their voices rose in triumph, fists pumping into the air, faces lit with relief and unrestrained joy. It was overwhelming, infectious even, watching hardened laborers celebrate like kids freed from school.
"Reynard! Reynard!" They chanted my name like it was carved into stone, a badge of victory.
But I wasn't here for celebrations.
"Hold on!" I shouted, raising my hand. The crowd quieted almost instantly, their eyes filled with anticipation.
"I know this feels like a win, and in many ways, it is. But we don't have the luxury to celebrate." My voice was steady, cutting through the lingering excitement. "I only got permission from the Evaluation Center to remove Nathan because I assured them he was a liability—because I promised better results without him."
The effect was immediate. The cheers died like a candle snuffed out by the wind. The smiles faded, replaced by determined expressions. The weight of responsibility settled on all of us, heavy but necessary. They understood. This wasn't just about removing Nathan. It was about proving that we were better without him.
Without another word, the workers dispersed, heading back to their stations with renewed focus. No one wanted to risk disappointing the Evaluation Center. Not after what we'd fought for.
As the dust settled and the site regained its rhythm, Sienna approached me. She didn't say anything at first, just reached into her jacket and pulled out a sleek, brand-new phone. It was the latest model—lightyears ahead of my battered flip phone, which was practically held together by stubbornness and duct tape.
She held it out to me. "Here. I got this for you."
I blinked, genuinely caught off guard. "What?"
"For what you did with the Hudson Bridge Project," she explained, a faint blush creeping up her neck. "I thought, you know... you probably weren't making much back then. Figured you could use an upgrade."