Walker’s tone was flat. "I’m only sleeping three hours a day to get the work here done. Where would I find the time to mess with you?"
Chloe Reed gripped her phone tightly. "Then when exactly are you coming back?"
Walker paused for a moment before saying, "Maybe... another seven days."
"You!"
Chloe was seething.
But his attitude was already clear. What else could she say?
She hung up on him.
Chloe took a deep breath to calm herself down.
She turned and went back to the living room, where her grandmother looked at her. "What’s wrong, Chloe?"
Chloe shook her head. "It’s nothing."
She sat down beside her grandmother and said, "Grandma, my current project is almost finished. I’m planning on opening my own studio next."
"Yes, that’s a good idea."
Her grandmother nodded. "It’s better to be your own boss than to work for someone else."
"Yeah. I’ll get to choose scripts or novels and anime that I like. I’ll probably be very busy in the future." Chloe linked her arm with her grandmother’s. "I won’t be able to spend as much time with you."
"That’s alright. You go ahead and be busy. I won’t hold you back," her grandmother said with a warm smile.
But Chloe said, "Don’t be silly. You’re my rock. Knowing you’re here supporting me gives me the motivation to do anything."
Her words made her grandmother very happy.
Now that she had a plan, she began to make preparations.
Two days later, Annie York contacted her.
"Miss Reed, I think I’m all better now. I can leave the hospital," Annie York said, her voice timid.
Chloe Reed replied, "I’ll let the doctor tell me whether you’ve recovered."
’And it’s an anime I’ve been following recently.’
’Unlike the fear and apprehension she shows when talking to me, when Annie gets into character, she’s actually... really good?’
Chloe Reed’s eyes lit up!
’My studio is in the planning stages, and I’m short on voice actors!’
She knocked on the door. Annie York, startled, fumbled to put away her phone and looked at her. "Miss Reed."
Chloe Reed gave her a warm smile. "Don’t be nervous. I spoke with the doctor. You can be discharged, but you can’t do any strenuous exercise or even walk around too much for now."
Annie York’s eyes lit up. "Really? Then I’ll get the discharge papers started right now."
Chloe Reed said, "What’s the hurry? I think I just heard you voice acting for an anime. Are you interested in that?"
Annie York nodded shyly. "Yes."
Chloe Reed said, "I’m setting up a voice acting studio. Are you interested? But let me be clear about the terms upfront. If you come work for me, it’ll be to pay off your debt. I’ll only give you a thousand a month for living expenses—enough so you won’t starve. Once your debt is paid off, I’ll start paying you a normal salary."

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