Nadine, with a solid background in design and six years of experience under her belt, breezed through the preliminary interview without a hitch. Still, when she received the call from the HR department of The Ferguson Group, she couldn''t help but breathe a sigh of relief. "Absolutely, I''ll be there on time for the second round," she promised.


    Deep down, she had been worried that Bryant might throw a wrench in her ns.


    Applying to The Ferguson Group wasn''t her first choice, but it was the top-payingpany and a rare match for her skills.


    Right now, money was the object of her chase.


    Even though Bryant had already arranged for her mother''s hospital transfer, surgery, and all rted expenses.


    Heart disease meant a long recovery period after discharge.


    Expenses were piling up everywhere.


    She could only hope that Bryant, the esteemed CEO, wouldn''t bother with such a position.


    "Mum..." Upon returning to the hospital room after the call, Nadine found her mother just waking up, looking at her with tender concern. "I''m sorry to have been such a burden to you..."


    "Mom, what are you talking about?"N?velDrama.Org ? 2024.


    Hearing this, Nadine felt a lump in her throat, blinked back tears, and choked out, "You worked so hard to raise me, and I never felt like I was a burden. Why would you say that now?"


    Georgiana White took her hand, hesitated for a moment, and finally asked, "Tell me the truth... where did the money for the surgerye from? How did you suddenlye into such arge sum?"


    "Mom!" Nadine could tell what her mother was implying and quickly lifted her head to exin, "Don''t worry, I haven''t done anything wrong! I just... came across a benefactor willing to lend us a hand."


    In a way, Bryant was indeed that benefactor.


    Otherwise, she wouldn''t even have the means to argue with her mother now!


    "Really?"


    "Really!"


    Nadine nodded vigorously, adding, "What were you thinking?"


    "That''s a relief..."


    Georgiana sighed, "So... who is this person?"


    "Well..." As Nadine tucked her mother in, she smiled slightly, "He''s someone very influential."


    A world apart from her.


    After settling into the office, I dove


    headfirst into my design drafts, days blending into one another in a flurry of activity.


    Gregory made it a routine to have breakfast with me every day, and he''d swing by my ce first thing after work.


    Christine, fèd up with our constant


    one


    y behavior, announced et "Just so you t


    I''m moving out this afternoon."


    "Moving out?"


    I was taken aback, "To where?"


    "I bought a ce."


    Christine nced at Gregory, "It''s in the neighborhood next door. I wanted to surprise you with it, show


    you around, but Mr. Ford here


    seems to have taken a dislike to


    me"


    I shot Gregory a look before turning back to Christine, "Don''t mind him... Chris, I can''t live without you..."


    "So, who do you choose?"


    Christine, putting down her sandwich and crossing her arms, teased, "Me or your man? If you pick me, I won''t move..."


    "Why put my sweetheart in such a spot?"


    Gregory chuckled, catching my re and then yfully taunting, "How much for the ce? I''ll buy it."


    Christine''s eyes sparkled, "A gentleman''s word is his bond?"


    Gregory lifted his chin, "Ask my sweetheart, when have I ever lied?"