Lucas Monroe.

    The man had a natural presence — brown hair styled just enough to look effortlessly perfect, a sculpted jawline, and an easy confidence in his posture.

    He had once been an up-and-coming actor, a name that had started to gain traction in Hollywood, but he had walked away from the industry years ago.

    Instead, he had carved a new path for himself, becoming one of the most influential travel personalities in the world.

    His content wasn''t just about luxury vacations — it was a mix of high-end experiences and survivalist challenges.

    One day, he''d be in a private island resort exposing the truth behind five-star ratings; the next, he''d be deep in a jungle, teaching his audience how to navigate harsh environments.

    People trusted his opinions because he didn''t sugarcoat things. A recommendation from him carried real weight.

    Lucas looked up as Ethan entered and immediately gave him a charming smile. He stood and extended a hand.

    "Ethan," he greeted smoothly. "Good to finally meet you in person."

    Ethan shook his hand, noting the firm grip. "Likewise."

    Zack took a seat behind the desk, motioning for Ethan to do the same. "He was the first person to reach out about a collaboration with Atlas. I figured it was time to actually sit down and talk through the details."

    Ethan leaned back slightly in his chair, studying Lucas. The man met his gaze without hesitation, relaxed but alert.

    He carried himself like someone who knew his worth but didn''t need to flaunt it.

    "So," Ethan said, getting straight to business. "What exactly do you have in mind?"

    Lucas leaned forward slightly, resting his arms on the desk. "Atlas is already getting a lot of attention, but it''s still establishing itself. I can speed that process up."

    Ethan raised an eyebrow, waiting for him to elaborate.

    Zack nodded. "I''ll draft up the agreements. We''ll set some preliminary terms and move forward from there."

    Lucas stood, adjusting his sleeves. "Sounds good. I''ll be back tomorrow to plan out the first shoot."

    As he left the office, Ethan exhaled slightly, watching the door close behind him.

    Zack smirked. "He''s got charisma, that''s for sure."

    Ethan ran a hand through his hair. "Yeah. Let''s just hope he''s as good as he claims."

    Zack laughed. "Well, either way, things just got a lot more interesting."

    #####

    As the sun dipped below the horizon, casting golden hues across the resort, the bustling energy of the day began to settle.

    Guests who had spent hours soaking in the luxury of Atlas were now heading back to their suites, some still lingering by the pools, reluctant to let the evening slip away.

    Soft music played from hidden speakers, blending seamlessly with the distant laughter of families and the hushed murmurs of couples enjoying a romantic sunset.

    Ethan walked alongside Julia, his steps unhurried as they made their way toward the VIP section of the resort.

    This area was reserved exclusively for them — his family''s private retreat within the vast expanse of Atlas.

    Julia, still full of energy despite the long day, skipped slightly beside him. "I had so much fun today!" she chirped. "Megan was really nice. Do you think I''ll see her again tomorrow?"

    Ethan glanced down at her, a small smirk playing on his lips. "That depends. Maybe her family is staying for a few more days."

    "I hope so," Julia said with a slight pout. "She said she has a puppy back home. I wanted to ask her more about it."

    Ethan chuckled. Julia made friends easily, but she also got attached just as quickly.

    He had no doubt that if she didn''t see Megan again, she''d be talking about her for the next few days, replaying every moment of their short-lived friendship in her head.-