He Lost Me to His Best Friend novel Chapter 481

Scarlett hung up the phone and looked over at Julian, a heavy frown naturally creasing her forehead. "Was that Irvin just now? Did he mean that Meridian Holdings and Bancroft Developments are backing out of their contracts, too?"

Julian nodded, his expression remaining perfectly calm. "Yeah. Those three companies always move as a pack. If one thrives, they all thrive; if one bails, they all bail."

Meeting her anxious gaze, he offered a gentle, reassuring smile. "Don't stress over it. Given the current situation, them terminating the contracts might not actually be a bad thing for us. It frees you up so you can focus entirely on taking care of Dawn, doesn't it?"

Scarlett froze. Looking into his open, sincere eyes, a wave of intense guilt washed over her. "But Croft Design Studio was finally gaining momentum. If they cancel now, all our early hard work goes right down the drain. The penalty fees won't even come close to covering our losses... Julian, I feel like I'm just dragging you down."

If he hadn't partnered with her, he would never have been dragged into this mess, nor would he have to shoulder the completely baseless accusations flying around. Now, stretched to her absolute limit because of her daughter's illness, she felt like nothing more than a massive burden on the studio.

"Maybe I should just resign," Scarlett said, biting her lip as she made the swift, painful decision. "I'm the one they're targeting. If I step down and you go back to the negotiating table, there might still be a chance to turn things around. Not with the studio's talent and your influence."

She had always been fiercely independent. She absolutely refused to be the anchor dragging someone else under. Besides, if Dawn was officially diagnosed with leukemia, Scarlett's entire life trajectory would be rewritten. Putting her career on hold was inevitable; she had to be there every single step of the way for the grueling battle against cancer that lay ahead.

For a woman without kids, a divorce might have been the perfect launchpad to skyrocket her career. But as a mother—especially one with a severely ill child—her baby had to be her absolute top priority. That had never changed since the very moment Dawn was born.

"You're pure gold. You're destined to shine, and I'm more than happy to wait for that day."

His unhesitating trust was like a lighthouse suddenly cutting through the darkness of a vast, stormy sea. Scarlett's eyes grew hot, a sudden, overwhelming prickle of tears stinging the back of her nose.

She never could have imagined that the validation and belief she had spent years desperately craving from Yardley Flynn would one day be freely given to her by Julian.

Taking a deep breath, she forced back the tide of emotions rising in her chest and gave him a solemn, determined nod. "Thank you, Julian. I won't forget this. Once everything with Dawn is handled, I promise I will make this up to you ten times over."