The Years Between Signing and Seeing novel Chapter 298

Suzie stopped typing and reached out to pinch Mia’s nose playfully. “You little rascal. What exactly have you been learning here? I want you to list it all out on paper for me later. Otherwise, I might think all you’ve learned from me is how to suck up.”

Mia giggled. “Not at all! I’ve learned so much from you, Suzie. Photography, management, how to handle things with grace and patience, your ability to see the big picture… Gosh, a single sheet of paper might not be enough!”

“Still being cheeky. Now get going, will you?”

“Yes, ma’am! Right away!”

…

Just before noon, Hayden knocked and entered Suzie’s office. “Suzie, Starlight Entertainment sent their business manager today. I know we already rejected them, but it seems like they came with a serious offer this time.”

Suzie paused, then asked gently, “Are you thinking of taking it?”

Hayden wagged a finger. “No, no, no. I’m just here to report the situation to you.”

Suzie broke into a smile. “That’s a very formal way of putting it. Let’s not use that word again.”

Hayden let out a hearty laugh. “Alright, alright. I see you have a humorous side… Anyway, I’ve already turned Starlight down again. I took the liberty of making a decision on my own. Take a look at this.”

He placed a file on her desk and walked over to the sofa, continuing as he sat down, “It’s a good thing we rejected Starlight, or we wouldn’t have landed this high-value contract. You know, there have been rumors in the industry for a while now that I have some kind of unsung genius working here. Seriously, meeting you was like finding my own personal good luck charm…”

Suzie slowly propped her elbows on the desk and covered her face with her hands, her once-straight posture slumping as if all her strength had vanished.

“Suzie? What’s going on?” Hayden asked tentatively. Her reaction had thoroughly spooked him. She looked as if she had just suffered a devastating blow. He had seen her worried about the children and stressed about work, but he had never seen her like this.

He walked around to the other side of the desk and sat down. His eyes fell on the file he’d given her. One corner was crumpled and nearly torn, and he was certain it had been perfectly flat when he handed it to her.

“Is… is there a problem with the contract?” he asked cautiously.

Suzie struggled to compose herself. After a long moment, she finally lifted her troubled face to look at him.