The Love I Begged For Was Never Real novel Chapter 174

"I cannot allow a massive investment to be destroyed by a reckless, low-level employee. Eliminating unstable variables is the foundation of any partnership."

Julian's logic sounded flawless.

He admired her talent and was willing to back her, absorbing the corporate pressure from The Hayes Group.

But that didn't mean he was obligated to protect an entry-level assistant who made enemies at work.

Discarding a troublesome assistant in exchange for saving the entire studio was a highly profitable trade-off.

But Nora knew this wasn't just a business transaction. This was a living, breathing human being. This was a young girl's entire dream and future.

Nora bit her lower lip hard.

She couldn't trade Janie's future for this money.

Janie's ultimate dream was to become a top jewelry designer. She worked late into the night, trashing countless ruined sketches just to earn a spot at Lawrence Atelier.

If she agreed to Julian's terms, Janie would not only lose her job but face a total industry blacklist and lose her right to even live in this city.

But Arthur's health was rapidly deteriorating, and the studio was his life's work. If the project collapsed and the studio was liquidated, Arthur would absolutely not survive the blow.

Agreeing to his terms meant wearing a moral shackle for the rest of her life and personally destroying a young girl's dream.

Refusing meant the studio would be swarmed by debt collectors tomorrow. All the employees would be out on the streets, and Arthur's legacy would turn to dust.

Two impossibly heavy weights rested on the scales, and Nora was caught in the middle, being torn apart.

"I..."

Nora struggled to open her mouth, her voice terribly hoarse.

She didn't know how to answer. She wanted to refuse, but the moment those words left her lips, it would permanently sever the studio's lifeline.

Julian watched her agonizing struggle. He reached out and pushed the hot tea a little closer to her.

"You don't have to agree right away. The stakes are high; you can take your time to think it over."

"I understand."

She grabbed her handbag and stood up from the cushion. "I will think it over carefully."

"Would you like me to have my driver take you back?"

Julian stood up with her, asking politely.

"No thank you, I'll catch a cab."

"Nora."

Julian's voice rang out from behind her.

Nora stopped in her tracks.

"In this circle, survival often trumps sentimentality. Leaving this mess behind might actually be a relief for her."