The Reclaimed Rose (Annalise and Steven)

Jessica couldn't help but think about the possibility of her income skyrocketing overnight. What if she ended up making more than Annalise? Maybe even tens of millions a month?

Just the thought of those numbers made her heart race. She had to calm herself down before turning to Steven across from her. "You've got a lot going on, huh? I guess I should leave you alone then." "Yeah," Steven replied. "Be careful heading back."

Jessica gave a casual hum in response. She left the office and got into her car, still in a daze. She'd always relied on men, never really thought she could make a comfortable, happy life on her own. Jessica looked out the window. If the company signing her wasn't Pelham Group but somewhere that actually recognized her potential, did that mean she could finally stand on her own? She didn't think about it for long before looking down. She figured it was fine even if no one wanted to sign her. She could always start her company once she had enough money. The more Jessica thought about it, the better the future looked. She dialed Yvonne's number. "Hey, what do you think about coming to work at Pelham Group and handling my projects?" "No, thanks," Yvonne answered right away. "I've got way less on my plate here. It's easy. Plus, staying at Huxham Corporation lets me use their resources to help promote you." Jessica hadn't even considered that. She laughed. "Well, that works, too."

What Yvonne didn't say was that the real reason she turned it down was because she didn't think Steven was all that bright. Compared to Zane, Steven was way behind as a leader.

Yvonne just didn't have much faith in Steven, thinking his business might crash and burn sooner rather than later. In the end, sticking with Huxham Corporation just felt like the safer option.

Once Steven finished his work, he drove straight to the entrance of Huxham Corporation to block Annalise from leaving. Sure, he'd heard Jessica's side, but he didn't really buy that Annalise had mistreated her-he just needed a reason to see Annalise.

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Steven wasn't sure why, but today, he just really felt like seeing her. He'd lost it not long ago, insisting she

come downstairs

to meet him. He knew that wouldn't work again so he figured he'd try a different approach. noveldrama

He called Zane directly. "Tell Annalise to come down. I need to talk to her."

Zane's voice was cold. "I thought you two already worked things out-"

Steven brushed off Zane's words. "You'd better pass that along if you don't want me causing a scene down here."

In the office, Zane stared at his phone with a grim look.

I looked at him. "Was that Steven?"

"Yeah," Zane replied. "I'll go down and handle it. You stay here."

I got up. "He's here for me. He'll keep pushing if I don't go. You still have work to finish, so let me handle it."

But in the end, Zane was too worried to leave me alone, so he got up, too. "We'll go together."

I couldn't help but smile at him. "I'm not a kid anymore. You really don't have to tag along for everything. You've got your stuff to handle, too."

Zane took my hand. "I might listen to you if this were about anything else."