"No, you don't understand."He turned to her, and his expression was intense."This isn't just impressive.This ispower.Real, undeniable power.You took a disaster and created something that will be talked about for generations."
Something in his tone made her uncomfortable.
"I just rebuilt my farm."
"You did more than that.You proved you're exceptional, innovative and stronger than anyone realized."He stepped closer."Wren, my offer still stands.Partnership.But now...now I'm even more certain.Together, we could accomplish incredible things."
"I'm already partnered with Zhao Trading."
"For distribution, yes.I'm talking about something more."His smile was charming, but his eyes were calculating."This farm, combined with my resources and connections?We could expand this concept across the region.You could become one of the most influential people in the territory."
"I just want to run my farm."
"Do you?Because this—" he gestured at the platform, "—this isn't the work of someone who just wants a simple life.This is ambition, Wren.Vision."
He wasn't wrong.But the way he said it felt like he was claiming credit somehow.Like her achievement was something he could leverage.
"I need to think about it," she said carefully.
"Of course."He smiled."But don't think too long.Opportunities like this don't wait forever."
He left, and Wren stood there feeling unsettled.
Viktor wanted her more than ever now.Not just for land, but for what she could do and the power she represented.And that was somehow more worrying than simple romantic interest.
She looked at her impossible farm and wondered what she'd actually created.A sanctuary?
Or a target?
The New Treehouse
––––––––
WREN WOKE TO COLOREDlight.
For a moment, she didn't remember where she was.Then she opened her eyes and saw the stained glass panels in the ceiling above her bed, ruby, sapphire, emerald and amber, filtering the morning sun into jeweled patterns across the blankets.
