Chapter 215

Study room. After working non-stop all morning, Prescott Ellington finally wrapped things up. He rubbed his temples, feeling that familiar sting of fatigue just as his phone on the desk started buzzing. The caller ID lit up—Dirk Hart. “Ellington, can I take a few days off?” Dirk didn’t bother with small talk, he just cut straight to the point. “Days off?” Prescott raised his eyebrows, a little thrown off. Dirk had been with him for years, always hustling hard. Taking time off was seriously not in Dirk’s vocabulary. So hearing him ask now? Yeah, Prescott needed a second to process that. “Three days,” Dirk added simply. “Not saying no, but what’s up, Dirk? You, of all people?” Prescott was genuinely curious. Dirk cared about the mines more than anyone—those brutal conditions, yet he hadn’t left the site even once in all these months. What could be so important that Dirk was willing to step away? “Well, tomorrow’s your birthday. Thought I’d come back and celebrate with you guys,” Dirk sai