The trainees whispered among themselves.


    "Ashley was worse. Her makeup was a hot mess, and who knows how she looked on camera?"


    "The photographer was all over Freya and Debra. Us? We were just cannon fodder for the real stars."Còntens bel0ngs to N?(v)elDr/a/ma.Org


    Eve looked down at the food on her te and felt her appetite vanish. She pushed her chair back and started to stand.


    Freya, noticing Eve''s retreat, called out, "Eve, don''t be silly. Our meals are portioned for a reason. If you don''t eat now, you''ll be famished all night. And if you cave and snackter, you know it''ll go straight to your hips." Eve''s face fell. She was starving, but the thought of the camera adding ten pounds made her stomach churn. With a sigh, she sank back into her chair and began to poke at her food half-heartedly.


    Across town, Juan was staring intently at a photograph in his office. It was a candid shot of him and Debra, who was eating her cake.


    Joe walked in, breaking the silence.


    "Sir, there''s news about Mrs. Nichols."


    "Where has she been stayingtely?"


    "Tidefall Towers. Her house was sold, and the Frazier family''s assets are gone. It seems Mrs. Nichols might be in some financial trouble."


    Joe hesitated before adding, "My sources say that Mrs. Nichols has started working as a trainee at the Potter Group. Not sure how reliable that is, though."


    "A trainee?" Juan echoed, his brows furrowing.


    He hadn''t known Debra had any interest in that field.


    "She may think it''s an easy way to make ends meet, especially with the Fraizer Group gone under," Joe suggested. "Life must be tough for her right now." Juan remained silent, and Joe added, "This could be a chance to win her back."


    "You think so?" Juan asked skeptically.


    "Absolutely, Mrs. Nichols is down on


    her luck. It''s the perfect time to swoop in." Joe caught himself under


    Juan''s cold stare. "I mean, she needs someone, and you should think of a way to be that someone."


    "How should I do that?" Juan muttered.


    He had never pursued anyone before, so he was clueless.


    Joe scratched his head, thinking. "Well, I have no idea. Maybe get the ''36 Strategies of Love"?"


    "What is that?"


    "A book guiding people to love. Every tip is useful."


    "Get me a copy then."


    "Okay."


    Joe whipped out his phone and started tapping away.


    Juan turned to hisputer and typed into the search bar. "How to win a girl''s heart?"


    "Pour all your feelings into her heart and keep all her joy in yours," he read d through the results, his frown


    deepening. Content belo


    sto


    Joe, looking up from his phone, shuffled his feet awkwardly. "Mr. Nichols, I don''t think that''s quite. what you''re looking for. To win a girl''s heart, first, you need to be humorous."


    He nced at Joe. "Do you think I''m humorous?"


    Joe shifted ufortably. "Well, humor might not be your strong suit."


    Juan leaned back in his chair, pondering. It was true; he wasn''t exactly known for hisedic timing.