The Years Between Signing and Seeing novel Chapter 382

Mia refused to be deterred, her voice thick with earnest desperation. "Do you have any idea how much money this is? You're just going to walk away from all of it?! It's not right. The studio succeeded because of you just as much as you succeeded because of them. Your achievements belong to you!"

Mia was getting increasingly worked up, practically ready to take the reins of Suzie's life herself.

Suzie waited patiently for her to finish before replying in a soothing tone. "I understand the business side of things, Mia. I know how to weigh the profits. But I've been through the wringer. I've seen the ugliest sides of the corporate world..."

She paused, slowly rising from her chair and walking over to the floor-to-ceiling windows. Looking out over the city, she continued softly, "For me, there's more to this than just money. There's loyalty. When I was at my absolute lowest, Hayden's help was a lifeline. And it's not just about what he did for me—it's about the genuine bond we've built."

Turning back to her, Suzie smiled faintly. "I'm not trying to act like a saint. But to me, that warmth and support mean so much more than a paycheck. Besides, I know I'm capable of earning it all back. Walking away clean just gives me peace of mind."

Clutching the documents, Mia sat in silence for a long time. Finally, she looked up. "I'm sticking with you. If you're leaving, I'm leaving too."

Suzie's eyes pricked with tears. She let out a watery laugh. "You have a stable job here. I don't even have a solid plan for what comes next."

"I don't care. I'm going with you. I'll go finish sorting these files," Mia choked out, wiping her cheeks as she gathered the papers and hurried out of the office.

The moment the door clicked shut, a single tear slipped down Suzie's face. She stood by the window for a long while before finally packing her things to head home.

She reached to pull the door shut, but Chester's arm blocked her.

"Ms. Sterling, you're rejecting me without even hearing what the gala is about?"

Suzie's gaze dropped to the arm blocking her door. Her voice remained cool. "A gala? Just a bunch of elites standing around stroking each other's egos. And next time you want to talk, just talk. Don't block my door. It's rude."

Tall and long-legged, Chester awkwardly bent down to look at her, sighing in mock distress. "If I didn't block the door, all I'd get is the slam of it shutting in my face and the sound of your engine leaving me in the dust."