CHAPTER 164: WEIGHT OF THE FIGHT

Georgia’s POV

It had been more than a week since I last saw Nick in person. Not even the weekend gave us a chance; work had swallowed us whole.

Strangely, though, I wasn’t entirely lonely. In those long hours at the office, I had gotten to know his brother and sister better. They stepped in without hesitation, helping me patch the holes from the losses we’d faced.

And with each late-night strategy session, each shared coffee, I couldn’t shake the feeling that they weren’t just helping, they were treating me like family.

I caught myself smiling at the thought, only to hear a familiar voice snap me back to reality.

"Why are you smiling like that?"

I jolted upright to see Melanie standing across my desk, her arms crossed and eyes narrowed in mock suspicion.

Instinctively, I brushed the grin off my face like erasing chalk from a board. "Oh, nothing. I was just... thinking about how much help Nick’s siblings have been lately." I quickly turned back to my computer screen, hoping she wouldn’t press.

Of course, Melanie pressed. She always did.

"You’re right about them, but don’t get too cozy—you and I both know the storm isn’t over yet." Her lips quirked before she leaned closer, dropping her voice.

"Speaking of storms... how are things with Mr. Knight? Is he treating you well?" She jabbed a playful finger into my side, making me laugh despite myself. Just like the old days, when she used to tease me about Raymond.

"We’re both drowning in work," I admitted, shaking my head with a soft laugh.

"We haven’t seen each other in person, but we video call every night. We even... have dinner together on screen." I chuckled, embarrassed at how ridiculous and sweet it sounded aloud.

Melanie smirked knowingly. "Modern dating problems require modern solutions. Fine, that’s good. But, Georgia..." Her tone shifted to that half-nagging, half-concerned voice she reserved only for me.

"This weekend, can you please go home early? Every morning when I come in, you’re already here. Every night when I leave, you’re still here. Do you even sleep?"

"Of course I go home," I protested with a laugh. Then, softer, "But if it weren’t for Katie waiting for me, I’d probably camp out here until everything was finished."

Melanie sighed, shaking her head like an exasperated sister. "Work will never end, Georgia. Don’t let it swallow your life."

Her words lingered in the air, heavy but warm, like a warning wrapped in affection.

"Well, if it makes you happy, I’m actually going home early tonight," I said with a triumphant little grin, feeling oddly proud of myself. "And I won’t be coming in this weekend either.

It’s Nick and Liam’s birthday celebration, plus the Knight Group’s annual get-together. Later, Ella, Vicky, and I are going dress shopping." The thought alone lit me up, and I couldn’t help but beam.

Melanie chuckled. "That’s great. You single ladies deserve some fun." Then her tone shifted, all business again. "Oh, and before I forget—I came to tell you the accountant and I finished the payroll forecast. We’re good for the next six months."

The words hit me like music. Six months. Breathing space. My shoulders relaxed for the first time all day, but only for a moment. "That’s incredible news," I said, meaning it. Then reality returned like a shadow creeping in.

"But once those six months are up, most of the sailors onboard will be coming home. We’ll need placements ready for them. If not, they’ll walk away—and I don’t want to lose good people."

Melanie nodded, her expression softening but her gaze steady. "You’re right to worry. But Georgia..." She leaned a little closer, as if reminding me of something personal rather than professional. "Take one step at a time. You’ve already secured half the battle."

Her words wrapped around me like a gentle warning and a hug at the same time. For a moment, I allowed myself to savor it—the good news, the relief, and yes, the rare promise of a night that wasn’t all work.

Before Melanie and I could wrap up our conversation, a firm knock sounded even though my office door was wide open. I looked up and froze.

"Oliver," I said, blinking in surprise. "Ollie, come in. I wasn’t expecting you today."

My pulse kicked up instantly. Oliver never showed up without warning unless it was something serious, and serious rarely meant good news.

He stepped in with a file case in hand, his face unreadable but sharp with urgency. "Irene and Frank Lam have been located," he said, voice steady. "They’re in another country, but the good news is they fall under extradition. I’ll handle the process, but I need your signatures on the documents."

For a second, my brain stalled, unable to catch up. The relief hit me so hard it felt unreal, like my body didn’t know whether to laugh or collapse.

"Thank God that’s incredible news!" Melanie exclaimed beside me, her hand darting out to give my arm a reassuring squeeze, grounding me back to the moment.

That was when it all broke through. Hot tears slipped down my cheeks before I could stop them, and I quickly brushed them away, embarrassed yet too overwhelmed to care.

"Gosh, I can’t believe this is moving so fast," I murmured, my voice half in disbelief, half in relief as I watched Oliver pull out a thick stack of papers from his file case. "If we get the money back, we’ll be good for at least a year."

"Yes," Oliver said crisply, sliding the papers onto my desk like a dealer laying down cards. "It won’t solve everything, but it will ease your financial problems for now. So, let’s do this quickly and push the case forward."

I picked up the pen without hesitation. "I don’t know how you managed this, Ollie, but thank you—truly." My hand flew over the paper, signing where he pointed.

He gave a small grin, flipping pages so fast I felt like we were in some kind of high-stakes card game. "Connections. And my reputation’s on the line. But you’re welcome."

"Why are there so many?" I asked breathlessly, the pile never seeming to shrink. He was turning them at lightning speed, tapping each blank line before my pen could catch up. Honestly, I wasn’t even reading anymore—but it was Oliver. I trusted him.

"Extradition cases require a mountain of paperwork," he explained matter-of-factly. "We’re dealing with two countries. Twice the red tape."

"I see." My hand cramped, but I smiled through it, warmed by the fact that he’d come himself. "Thank you for coming all the way here just to get these signed."

Oliver shrugged, a flicker of fondness softening his sharp expression. "I had to. You know how Nick is. Besides..." His lips quirked as he stacked the signed documents neatly. "If it makes him happy, I don’t mind going the extra mile."

That pulled a smile from me instantly. It was oddly comforting, realizing that both Nick and I had people who’d always show up—no matter the weight of the fight.