Chapter 141

• The clearing in front of the newly renovated building glowed softly in the early morning light. It was small, intimate, yet buzzing with anticipation. In the center stood Clark—tall and composed—with the group of humans he had personally chosen and trained to take over the operations of the store. The crowd hushed as he stepped forward, his voice clear and steady as he began to speak.
• “Today marks more than just the opening of a store,” he said, his gaze sweeping across both humans and Beasts gathered around. “It marks a turning point—a symbol of unity, trust, and progress. For so long, fear divided us. But today, we move forward together.”
• His words carried weight. Not just in meaning, but in the way he spoke them—with the passion of someone who had seen the worst and still believed in the best. “This store,” he continued, “may be a small step in the eyes of the world, but for us, it is a leap. A place where humans and Beasts work side by side. A place built on respect, cooperation, and the courage to believe in one another.”