Chapter 244: Clear Skies

Chapter 244: Chapter 244: Clear Skies

The heavy oak doors of the media pavilion swung open, and the five board members of Aurelia Capitals stepped out to face a wall of blinding camera flashes.

With the official groundbreaking ceremony wrapped and President Spencer’s motorcade already clearing the outer gates, the national press corps had converged inside the secondary briefing room for the post-event conference. More than fifty journalists sat packed into the tiered seats, microphones raised and digital recorders running.

As the team took their places behind the broad wooden panel, the room instantly erupted into a chorus of raised voices.

"Quiet down, please," the press coordinator announced, tapping the microphone. "We’ll open straight for questions. State your network first."

A reporter in the front row stood up immediately, pointing her recorder toward the center of the panel. "Denise Gilbert, Aurelia National News. Mr. Sheele, as CEO of Aurelia Capitals, you just committed ten billion marks to phase one. With the Ministry of Trade already signalling strict regulatory oversight, how does the board plan to manage material procurement without running into state delays?"

Marcus leaned down slightly toward his desktop microphone, resting his forearms casually on the table. "Denise, our procurement pipelines were locked in ahead of time. The Ministry of Trade can monitor our supply lines as closely as they like—it’s always good to have extra administrative staff keeping an eye on top-tier efficiency."

Leon leaned into his own mic with a dry grin. "Though if Minister Timber wants to audit our gravel trucks personally, we can send him a yellow safety vest."

A wave of laughter rippled through the press gallery. Marcus glanced over at Leon with an amused, warning look before turning back to the room.

Another journalist jumped to his feet. "Marcus! What about the commercial air-traffic control tenders? Is Aurelia Capitals planning to acquire the regional airspace management contracts as well?"

"We are an infrastructure and asset management firm, not an airline," Marcus answered smoothly, his tone effortless. "Our focus is building high-capacity foundations. However, if the government wants to hand us the airspace because nobody else can run the logistics on time, my calendar is open."

"Over here!" a senior market analyst shouted from the middle aisle, leaning forward. "Question for Mr. Rivers! Jake, everyone in the financial sector is still talking about the trade execution post on LOOP that ignited the retail capital strike last month. There are rumors that your private firm, Golden Investments, is quietly acquiring positions ahead of the national energy grid privatization tenders. Can you confirm if Golden Investments is backing those plays?"

Jake smiled subtly, leaning toward the mic. Beside him, Noah and Adrian relaxed in their seats, letting Jake handle the firm that belonged entirely to him.

"I haven’t been at the office for a and clearly you guys know more than me," Jake said calmly, his voice cool and clear over the speakers. "My private capital moves where the yield is guaranteed. If the state energy sector presents a solid operational model, Golden Investments will deploy accordingly. If it remains choked by red tape, my capital stays where it is."

"Are you going to post another trade signal on LOOP?!" a reporter from the back shouted over the noise, thrusting a directional mic into the air. "The retail market is waiting! Millions of traders are checking your profile every hour!"

Leon burst out laughing, shaking his head. "Careful, man. The last time Jake posted eleven words, two ministry stock portfolios dropped by twelve percent."

Jake chuckled softly, looking straight into the main broadcast camera. "The only way to find out if another signal is coming is to keep your notifications on. Beyond that, you’ll just have to wait for updates on LOOP."

"One last question!" a journalist called out. "What is the board’s next move after this?"

Marcus glanced at his watch, and he used the sameline as Jake. "You’ll just have to wait for updates on LOOP."

---

After the press conference, the guys gathered outside. Jake took in the scenery for a few seconds, watching the distant yellow line of excavators carve deep, clean trenches into the northern soil.

"Now, as for our next move," Jake said, turning back to face the four men, "we are leaving the dirt to Daniel and getting back to Aurelia. I’ve got a flight to catch."

Noah blinked, lowering his tablet. "Wait, a flight? You just landed five hours ago. Don’t tell me you’re flying back to the site tomorrow?"

"Not Mult," Jake said with a faint smirk, adjusting the cuffs of his suit jacket. "Italy. Catharine and I are taking off for the weekend."

Leon let out a dramatic, exaggerated gasp, clutching his chest. "Italy? While Marcus and I are left to oversee sixteen thousand tons of foundation concrete? Jake, my heart breaks. Where is the solidarity? The operational brotherhood?"

"The operational brotherhood will be fine," Adrian replied smoothly, not even looking at Leon. "Marcus will run the site audits, you will pretend to read structural schematics, and Jake will be four thousand miles away from Duke Timber’s blood pressure."

Marcus closed his leather document folio with a quiet, authoritative click. "The site logistics are already locked, Jake. Daniel’s team has the forward inventory for the first six weeks. Enjoy the weekend."

"Appreciate it, Marcus," Jake said, offering a brief nod.

He turned toward the tarmac where Miller was already standing by the lead Range Rover, holding the rear door open.

The executive motorcade rolled smoothly down the private access road twenty minutes later, leaving the lingering noise of the Mult project site behind. Four glossy black Range Rovers cut through the quiet northern countryside toward the regional airfield, where Aurelia Capitals’ private jet sat waiting on the apron, its engines idling low.

---

By four in the afternoon, the heavy wooden entry doors of The Zenith penthouse unlocked, sliding open with a soft, mechanical click.

The apartment was quiet, bathed in the warm, late-afternoon sun filtering through the floor-to-ceiling glass windows. The smell of fresh lavender hung gently in the air.

Jake set his leather garment bag by the table, slipping off his suit jacket and unbuttoning the top two buttons of his shirt. He rolled his sleeves up to his forearms, feeling the lingering tension from the multi-billion-mark ceremony finally drain out of his shoulders.

"Catharine?" he called out, stepping into the broad living room.

From the hallway leading to the master suite, Catharine emerged carrying a small carry-on suitcase. She was wearing a soft olive-green knit sweater tucked into high-waisted tailored trousers, her hair styled casually over her shoulders. When her eyes landed on him, a bright smile broke across her face.

"You’re actually on time," she said, setting her bag down and walking straight into his arms.

Jake caught her by the waist, pulling her close and kissing her deeply. Catharine wrapped her arms around his neck, resting into the embrace as the constant noise of the media, the ministers, and the national news broadcast completely faded away.

"I promised I’d be back before four," Jake murmured against her lips, resting his forehead lightly against hers. "Did you get to watch the broadcast?"

"Yes, you guys looked terrifyingly calm up there," she teased, her hands resting against his chest. "Lisa called me right after the press conference screaming because Leon made that joke about the safety vest. Sarah had to take the phone away from her."

Jake let out a low laugh, trailing his thumb along her cheekbone. "Did you tell them where we’re going?"

"Not a chance," Catharine smiled, her eyes sparkling. "If Lisa found out we were taking a private jet to Italy, she’d have stowed away in my luggage."

"Good call," Jake smirked. He took her carry-on handle in one hand and reached for her hand with the other, bringing her knuckles to his lips for a soft kiss. "Ready?"

Catharine looked at him, her smile warm. "Ready."

---

The sleek black Range Rover glided to a halt inside the private aviation hangar at Aurelia Executive Airfield thirty minutes later.

Away from the commercial terminal and the endless rows of news cameras, the tarmac was completely serene. Standing at the foot of the airstairs of an ultra-long-range Gulfstream G650 stood Miller alongside two flight attendants in navy uniforms.

As Jake helped Catharine out of the vehicle, the lead flight attendant bowed politely. "Welcome aboard, Mr. Rivers, Miss. Captain Hayes reports our flight path to Florence is clear, and we are ready for departure."

"Thank you," Jake replied evenly.

Catharine walked up the padded airstairs, taking in the cabin’s interior—warm wood paneling, plush cream leather captain’s chairs, soft ambient lighting, and a small dining table set with chilled champagne and fresh fruit.

"Jake... this is incredible," Catharine whispered, sitting down by the large oval window as the heavy cabin door sealed shut behind them.

Jake sat across from her, unbuckling his watch and setting it on the side table. He poured two glasses of crisp champagne, handing one to her.

Outside, the twin engines hummed into a powerful roar. The jet taxied down the private runway before tilting smoothly into the afternoon sky, leaving the sprawling skyline of Aurelia behind.

---

Hours later, the Gulfstream touched down smoothly on the quiet private runway of Florence Airport. The Italian night air was warm and balmy, carrying the faint scent of cypress wood and blooming jasmine as the cabin door swung open.

A vintage midnight-blue Alfa Romeo dark-top convertible sat waiting on the tarmac beside a private chauffeur, who stepped forward with a respectful head tilt.

"Welcome to Tuscany, Mr. Rivers, Miss," the driver said in smooth, accented English, taking their luggage. "The villa has been prepared for your arrival."

Jake took the keys from the driver with a brief nod, opening the passenger side door for Catharine. She stepped into the leather interior, looking around at the quiet airfield surrounded by rolling Tuscan hills under a blanket of stars.

"You’re driving?" she asked, looking over at him with a happy, surprised laugh.

"Of course," Jake smiled, sliding into the driver’s seat and turning the ignition. The engine purred to life with a satisfying rumble. "I promised you peace and quiet."

They drove down winding, moonlit country roads, away from the city center and up into the sweeping hills of the Chianti countryside. Tall cypress trees lined the narrow gravel driveway leading up to a private centuries-old stone villa, lit warmly by exterior lanterns and surrounded by olive groves.

Jake parked the car near the stone courtyard and walked around to hand Catharine out. The cool night breeze blew gently through her hair as she looked up at the sprawling villa overlooking the dark, peaceful valley below.

"It’s breathtaking, Jake," Catharine murmured softly, leaning her head against his shoulder as he wrapped his arm around her waist.

"No phone calls, no press, and no business," Jake said, turning her slightly to look into her eyes under the warm lantern light. "Just Tuscany."

Catharine smiled, reaching up to rest her hand against his cheek. "Best weekend getaway ever."

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